Prickly Pear Cactus flowers in Grasslands National Park

Apricot and yellow Prickly Pear Cactus flowers
at Grasslands National Park.  ©SB

We drove through the EcoTour road at Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada, and then off on gravel roads through other parts of the West Block of the park — and suddenly, in one of the driest spots, we found masses of Prickly Pear Cactus in full flower.

These crisp, delicate flowers contrast extremely with their green skins and prickles.

It's so lovely to see the dry land bloom!  

I've seen Prickly Pear Cactus in flower a few times before at Grasslands National Park, and each time managed to impale myself on their prickles.

(It's not that I'm clumsy, or that the prickles are generally difficult to avoid — but in trying to get low to the ground to photograph these flowers, I tend to rest my palm on the dirt, er, spike-studded earth.)

Prickly Pear Cactus blooming in a dry stretch of Grasslands National Park.  ©SB

Prickly Pear Cactus, from coral buds to yellow flower,
to pink aged petals.  ©SB

Prickly Pear Cactus. ©SB

Prickly Pear Cactus, with a green fly. ©SB

Prairie Wildflower: Prickly Pear Cactus

Location:  Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
Photo Date: June 23, 2015. 

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