Last year there were tons of little hedgehog cacti blooming on my trails. This year they are blooming again, but not as many.
Maybe that’s why they seem to be hiding themselves. They must think they need protection, and since there’s no protection in numbers they’re looking for other ways.
Check out this one that I’m trying to get at.
It’s hiding under a catclaw bush. There’s a reason these bushes are called what they’re called.
But if I can brave Scratchy’s claws I can brave anything. This bush ain’t got nothing on me.
Here’s another one trying to use prickly things for protection. I know what those prickly things do. I’m staying out of there.
This one really tucked itself away. If it hadn’t been for its bright color we never would have seen it.
My person will crawl under anything for a good picture. It’s a good thing that bush didn’t have pricklers. I would have had to take the tweezers to her when we got home.
It seems that all the cacti are hiding under bushes.
I think my person was brushing dirt off her knees after taking this picture.
This cactus used a different approach. Instead of blooming under a bush it decided to bloom in a bush.
But this next cactus is very brave indeed.
Standing right out in the open and holding up an offering.
bongodogblog 
susank456
May 17, 2013 at 10:52 am
Beautiful blooms. Great shots.
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Thanks Susan.
marina kanavaki
May 17, 2013 at 11:20 am
You see so many beautiful things in your trails, Bongo!
[brave cactus indeed!!]
Beautiful shots! Worth the …dirt!
🙂
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Thanks Marina. I don’t mind dirt much but my person always seems to be washing her clothes when she gets them dirty.
marina kanavaki
May 17, 2013 at 2:12 pm
oh… that way, all those scents go down the drain!
Humans!
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Marina, I’m sure glad you understand.
dianeskitchentable
May 17, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Hard to believe something so pretty would jab you. But as you point out, you do have practice w/Scratchy.
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Diane and Lola, it’s actually those bare branches above me that are dangerous. They’re full of little thorny things. Of course that cactus has pricklers too, but they’re easier to avoid.
angelswhisper2011
May 17, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I wish we had them here Bongo. They look quite awesome 🙂
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Angels Whisper, the cactus flowers around here really are quite amazing.
literarychicks78
May 17, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I don’t see cactus around here, Bongo, so it’s very interesting to see them, “close up” through your person’s pictures!
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Literary Chicks. Cacti are pretty cool as long as you don’t get too close.
Genevieve Petrillo
May 17, 2013 at 2:15 pm
They’re beautiful, plus treacherous!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Cupcake, they’re okay as long as you keep your distance.
Flo
May 17, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Oh so many spikey things. Owch! Beautiful flowers though. 🙂
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Thanks Flo. But you’ve sure do have to be careful what you brush up against.
dogloverofmax@gmail.com
May 17, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Your person did amazing photos!! Those are perfect photos! What pretty flowers! I love that pink! But that handsome pup in the first shot…well, Bongo is perfect period!
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Max. You’re the best.
Patricia
May 17, 2013 at 5:51 pm
The cactus is like prickly people. There is beauty but it’s hard to get close to see it because of the pricklers.
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Patricia, I know some people like that too.
BZ Dogs
May 17, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Cute little cactus, if a bit prickly. 🙂 Flowers are stunning!
Bongo
May 17, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Thanks BZ. Those cacti are okay as long as you keep your distance.
misswhiplash/Patrecia
May 18, 2013 at 12:22 am
spectacular flowers but those thorns and prickles do not invite dogs to leave messages ..even little ones
have a great day lots of love
Bongo
May 18, 2013 at 10:16 pm
Thanks Patrecia. You’re right, I don’t ever leave messages on those things. There’s plenty of softer bushes around here that make better message holders.
eripanwkevin
May 18, 2013 at 7:24 am
Those cacuti blooms are so beautiful! Very interesting flowers! Thank you very much for your person who was brave to take these amazing photos!! And for you Bongo who took your person to your trails! 🙂
Bongo
May 18, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Thanks Kevin. My person didn’t even get any pricklers in her when she was taking those pictures. Except I think she did get scratched by the catclaw bush. She doesn’t have so much hair to protect her like I do.
Two French Bulldogs
May 18, 2013 at 7:25 am
So pretty. Don’t stick your nose too close to that thing. Mom has one in a flower pot
Benny & Lily
Bongo
May 18, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Thanks Benny & Lily. I keep my nose far away from those things. Nobody leaves any messages on them anyway, so there’s no need to sniff.
onebluedog
May 18, 2013 at 11:42 am
Those cactus flowers are so beautiful! Your person got some great pictures of them!!
Bongo
May 18, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Thanks Remy. I was very patient and let her take all those pictures.
kolytyi
May 20, 2013 at 9:45 am
All photos are beautiful but the first pic is the most gorgeous – I think you guess what I mean! 🙂
Bongo
May 20, 2013 at 11:39 am
Thanks Kolytyi. You’re the best!
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
May 20, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Those are beautiful Bongo!
Bongo
May 20, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Thanks Misty Shores.
colliesofthemeadow
May 28, 2013 at 4:40 am
How pretty! You know Bongo…. I was thinking… we all know what happens when I think.. ahem…. if you take scratchy with you to see these when he gets close just shove him into them. No more scratchy problem… heheheh
-Ginger
Bongo
May 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Good idea Ginger. Swallowed by a cactus flower.