We didn’t have rain here for weeks and weeks. The prickly pear cacti were getting skinny. So skinny that you could hardly see them if you looked at them from the edge. They had to come at you flat on, but don’t try to shake their hand. You’ll be sorry.
The last few days we have had lots and lots of rain. And now we have plump prickly pears. Even the fruits that were looking like scrawny little things have plumped out. The prickly pears are so plump now that even when they try to hide they can’t.
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Where did this hedgehog cactus come from? I think I remember it from when it was blooming, but it must have walked away and just now come back. Or maybe it was a skinny little thing like those prickly pears. My my, look how plump you’ve gotten little cactus. You’re lucky you have pricklers or I might want to eat you.
I think all the cacti on my trails have become happy campers. I bet they think they found their cloud with the silver lining.
bongodogblog 
misswhiplash
July 17, 2012 at 11:43 am
you be careful where you put your nose! A spike in your snout would be most unpleaseant
Bongo
July 17, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Patreciau, I’ve gotten a few spikes, but most of the time I avoid the cactus.
rumpydog
July 17, 2012 at 3:28 pm
I don’t guess you eat those, do you?
Bongo
July 17, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Rumpy, I don’t really eat the hedgehog cactus, but my person says once she ate prickly pear cactus – without the pricklers.
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
July 17, 2012 at 5:09 pm
oooh Bongo be careful with the prickers that would not feel good in your nose!
Bongo
July 17, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Misty Shores, I guess I should watch where I’m sniffing shouldn’t I? I didn’t get stuck though.
Patricia
July 17, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Those are things nice to look at but be careful! Those prickler thingies look dangerous.
Bongo
July 17, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Patricia, those pricklers have gotten me a few times, but mostly I’m careful.
Chancy and Mumsy
July 17, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Those are really sharp stickers sweet Bongo. Mumsy has a prickly pear cactus and I keep a lot of distance between me and that cactus. Looks like the cacti were needing a good drink of water. Hugs and nose kisses
Bongo
July 17, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Chancy and Mumsy, all those prickler things needed lots of water – but they feel better now. I don’t think they’ll try to stick me so much now. Hugs and nose kisses back to you.
angelswhisper2011
July 18, 2012 at 12:23 am
It looks like the prickles are much bigger, Bongo, so watch out for the hedgehog 🙂
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Angels Whisper, I guess I’d better be careful. I hadn’t thought of the pricklers getting bigger too. Yikes!
marina kanavaki
July 18, 2012 at 12:28 am
This looks like Opuntia ficus – indica [first one]. We have them here in Greece too and some brave people pick up the fruit [pears or -as we call them- fragosyka]. They say they are very tasty and rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients. BTW I love your artistic connection with the clouds!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Marina, some people eat the fruit here too. It’s very juicy and mostly you find it in tourist shops made into jelly and candy.
Dalton
July 18, 2012 at 4:20 am
You have the most interesting walks!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Thanks Dalton. My trails are pretty cool. Something is always happening on them.
Dalton
July 19, 2012 at 3:02 am
Wish mine were that good!
eripanwkevin
July 18, 2012 at 6:55 am
Please be careful, Bongo! or your cute nose will get hurt!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Kevin, I’ll watch out. Pricklers in the nose are no fun.
Dianda
July 18, 2012 at 7:41 am
It looks like there isn’t only lots of rain falling here in Europe!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Dianda, this is the time of year we are supposed to get rain, but our dry spell before the rainy season was longer than usual.
Genevieve Petrillo
July 18, 2012 at 8:43 am
Bongo! You are way too close to the hedgehog cactus! Yikes. Be careful of your handsome nose!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I’ll be careful Cupcake. Pricklers in my nose are no fun.
themisadventuresofmisaki
July 18, 2012 at 9:53 am
Hope you don’t prick your paws!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Misaki, I guess I’d better move a little further away. Pricklers are no fun.
Bassas Blog
July 18, 2012 at 10:39 am
The last picture is stunning!
Bongo
July 18, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Thanks Bassa. My person saw that cloud and knew she had to take some pictures of it.
tylersat99
July 29, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I’m glad the cactus got some good drinks of water so they can continue to grow, they are a part of your trails and we don’t want to lose them. I love the last picture with the sun shining behind the cloud showing all the beautiful color.
Bongo
July 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Thanks Lexie and Mica. You wouldn’t believe how big some of those cactus are getting with all the rain we’ve had. Not just fatter, but bigger all the way around.