Second spring?

Don't be fooled by delusions of greenery and blooms - these pictures were all taken in the past week, right here at 7,000' elevation in the desert.

We've had an extraordinary summer... long and cool spring, wet summer, three weeks of scorching heat, and now the cool nights of fall tempered by late summer thunderstorms. We're having second bloomings of...

Indian Paintbrush (note the tall green grass!):

Soaptree Yucca (with cholla and juniper in the background):

and assorted purple and white flowers:



Yellow flowers are typical of late summer and fall:

These "common sunflowers" routinely exceed 5' in height. Ditches are a popular location due to the accumulation of runoff water: