castilleja-purpurea-1

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea) glowed with brilliant pinks, magentas, and corals.

castilleja-purpurea-2

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-3

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-4

There was even an ivory-colored paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea).

castilleja-purpurea-5

Downy indian paintbrushes (Castilleja purpurea). Read more: Red eyes and orange crowns.

opuntia-prickly-pear

Think cacti don't have leaves? Wrong! The emerging pad on this prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) has small leaves, but they will drop away as the pad matures.

delphinium-sp

This extravagant Delphinium species caught my eye.

nostoc-commune

Nostoc, a cyanobacterium. Probably N. commune. Read more: Red eyes and orange crowns.

yucca-sp

On cloudy days like this one, the yuccas look icy blue.

allium-sp

These alliums vary in color from white to deep pink.