Finally getting RAIN, after a long HOT, DRY summer

ANGRY SKY

During my trip from Kansas to Colorado, as I drove I saw a classic thunderstorm forming. Large cumulonimbus clouds over developed, the wind began gusting, the clouds turned dark and a rain storm approached.
At a visit to the Denver Museum of Art a few days later, I was drawn to this painting. It was an angry sky.

Hot and Dry Bloomers

It's Hot and Dry here in Texas, but these plants don't care!

Gold Esperanza and Red Bird of Paradise/Pride of Barbados

"When the Bloom is on the Sage"

"When the Bloom is on the Sage" - a good old country and western song.

Texas Sage, Texas Ranger, Cenizo, Barometer Bush, Silverleaf, Purple Sage - is a drought tolerant Texas shrub. It is said that when it blooms, it will rain. They are blooming this morning - and we could really use some rain! But, none is in the forecast.

We've had 23 days of over 100* degree highs and many record highs recorded this summer. Our lake levels are at record lows. The weather service says El Niño conditions will continue to develop and are expected to last through the Northern Hemisphere Winter 2009-2010.

I wish the bushes were right!

Little Bird

This little bird visited the backyard to enjoy some sunflower seeds.

He sang quite a pretty song for me during his visit.

Agave Bloom End

The agave blooms I have been watching are nearing the end. The blooms fully opened and are now falling apart.

The base of the plant is drooping and looking sad.

Our high temperatures have been over 100* for most of June, which I'm sure has helped in the plant's condition.

Sunflower Blooms

Ah summer!

My sunflowers are in full bloom.

The stalks are very tall.