Pawnee Cactus Bloom/update

I was out on the Pawnee Grassland last night, and the prickly pear are hitting their peak. They won't last long in the heat. There are a few other flowers in bloom, but things aren't super-green and the prairie will dry up fast. There are lots of lark buntings, vesper sparrows, horned larks, meadowlarks etc.; and a prairie falcon was squawking at me from somewhere high on the west butte. Now is a very good time to visit the prairie - these blooms were near the buttes, but the cactus are everywhere.

West Butte just before sunset.......

And windmills are growing out of the wheat fields..............

I was out there Thursday evening. Had the place and a killer sunset to myself which was nice. Yep, the Prickly Pear and Yucca are blooming everywhere. Lots of birds to. Should have some pics to post soon.

You know my address!

I also noticed some Prickley Pear blooming along Hwy 94 and Yoder Road last night, so I suspect that it is blooming throughout the eastern plains.

There is some prickley pear in my backyard in Colorado Springs at 7000ft. It is not blooming, but might start in a week or two.