Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus

The Santa Rita cactus have been in bloom about a week now.  I've finally had a chance to get a shot of one of its flowers.  The yellow is so delicate.

Santa Rita prickly pear cactus are native to the valley of the Santa Rita mountains - the valley in which I live.  Notice, if you can, the purple-ish edge of the pad on top.  The more stressed the cactus (dry), the more colorful it is.  We haven't gotten any appreciable rain in about two months.  Probably won't get much in May, either.  It's our driest month of the year.

PS  Look at all of that pollen!