Fero/Opuntia habitat in Palm Springs, California

[CoronaCactus]

I haven't had to go out to Palm Springs for work in a long time, but had to last week. So i took the opportunity to explore the same area i usually do, but venture further up the mountain.

Interestingly, there is a gap of a few hundred feet between the plants. Lots of plants up to a point and then none until you round the corner into a small, but gradually opening valley/canyon.

The plants i found were mostly growing out of the rocks on the western slope (which faces east) not too many on the canyon floor. At times i could look in any direction and see 40 to 50 Fero's in a single glimpse!

Found some nice healthy looking O. basilaris and found that the old plants from the bottom of the valley to be in good shape. They show their struggle, but are doing better now.

What i liked best, was finding so many new seedlings, well golfball sized and a bit smaller, but compared to the 2.5+ foot big 'uns, they're seedlings!

Ferocactus cylindraceus
Opuntia basilaris
Echinocereus engelmannii armatus

[Diane]

Lovely shots, Darryl! Boy, you're a lucky guy to be able to see these things in habitat!

[pieter]

Thanks for these pictures Darryl. As now I will have to wait another year before I can go back and see our favorite plants in habitat again, I enjoy watching these pictures. Makes me want to fly over soon :-)

[CoronaCactus]

Glad you enjoy!
It's very soothing being out there all alone just walking around looking at cacti.

I'm hoping to get out to more habitat locations this year. There's so much around here to see!
I'd like to put together a club talk/web article about our local habitat.

[Cactus Jack]

A great set of photos , love those spines . Oh for a blue sky like that over here

[Chris in Leeds]

Great pictures it is always nice to see plants in habitat
Thanks for sharing

[CoronaCactus]

Cheers guys!
Always happy to provide habitat photos

[Ross M]

It's very soothing being out there all alone just walking around looking at cacti.

I can't think of anything better Darryl. Great photos! Wish I was there

[Vic]

Brings back happy memories Darryl, great pics Oh to feel the desert heat warming my back whilst I photograph some of those wonderful cacti

[Liz M]

Fabulous pictures of the plants, especially the red spines on the Ferocactus. The habitat looks amazing and the sky is huge and blue, you can't get that in this country.