Sinningia leucotricha

A truly outstanding plant with orangish-red flowers early in the season and these gorgeous, velvety leaves.

Euphorbia obesa (male)

This plant is often called the "basketball" plant, or the "baseball" plant. Perhaps in honor of the World Cup, we should call it the "football" or "soccer" plant? This is a male plant, evident from its copious pollen.

Euphorbia milii 'Fireworks'

We're getting some early Summer showers. It makes things a little more humid than usual, but it's not uncommon for us to get these until early July when things begin to really dry out. However, the showers really brought out the color in the stems, making this an even more impressive plant.

Echinopsis 'Barber Pole'

 

They only bloom for a short time each year, but - wow - what blooms. Well worth the wait. (Again, photos by Lynn-Marie.)

Copiapoa esmeraldana

This is a very small plant which really shriveled up a bit this winter, making it even smaller. But that doesn't stop it from flowering beyond the call of duty.

Snow-capped Peaks of the Oregon Cascades

These are the three sisters, originally named Faith, Hope and Charity.

 Further along the range is Mt. Washington, viewed here from the east.

 And Mt. Jefferson, also from the east. Part of this mountain is on the Warm Springs Reservation, the Consolidated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our younger son is a member of Warm Springs.

And this is Mt. Hood, the northern most snow-capped peak in the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon. This picture is from the south side.
We have traveled this route many, many times, but this was a special trip. We were taking a few days off for rest and relaxation, but then the water hose developed a leak. The trip home, therefore, was anything but relaxing as we added water every 25 to 50 miles. We got home ok, but then - after getting the hose fixed - the electrical system went kaput! I guess we weren't meant to have any real R&R! (Lynn-Marie took all the photos.)

Metolius River at Camp Sherman

We took a couple of days to get away from everything and went to Sisters, in Central Oregon, and spent a little time over at Camp Sherman on the Metolius River. This is just a short distance downstream from where the river springs from underground, full size. It's designated by the U.S. as a wild and scenic river, thus protecting it from development.

Dragonfly on Agave

Lynn-Marie had fun taking this pictures the other day. The dragonflies are back, doing their thing. Fascinating creatures.

Oregon Cactus & Succulent Society Succulent Plant Fest

Our summer show and sale is scheduled for July 18, 19 & 20 at Portland Nursery, 5050 SE Stark St. in Portland. I design the flyers each year, usually 2.  The first one this year is this:

 

It's available as a pdf here.

Lithops marmorata

Not a lot of "color" but wonderful markings and nice form.

Rebutia albipilosa

This is why I've always loved the rebutias!