Cactus Monday: Messing with Cholla

Well hello there you cute and cuddly Teddy Bear Cholla!  You are so cute and plush and little and fuzzy, but I've got your number now you slick little cacti!  

Above is a picture of my husband poking at this little Cholla with a stick, testing the theory that it jumps.  It didn't.  And of course he thinks I'm crazy because I swear a spider jumped on me once years ago as well as this particular type of cacti, most recently.  We have a long running joke that just got a little funnier of awkward things jumping on me, that aren't supposed to jump in his opinion.

But as my fellow cactuteers know, Chollas DO in fact jump, (so do spiders!) and latch their little segments onto you, through your clothes and into their host's skin.  OUCH!!!  Just think of it like the force of a magnet near metal, once you slightly brush their little spines.  Slick little devils.

I took this photo at the Desert Botanical Garden just yesterday, as well as many others.  There are so many beautiful pictures I have taken from yesterday, that I have to pace myself and post just a few at a time!  This botanical garden has it all.  From abundant wildlife, gorgeous blooms, rolling scenic landscapes, mountains and all species of cacti.  Beautiful sculptures can bee seen throughout, and a Chihuly glass installation greets you as you enter the garden.  Did I ever mention that Chihuly is the sole inspiration of my glass blowing hobby?!!!  Just 15 minutes from my house, I got a yearly membership.  I plan on doing lots of reflecting there as well as photo shoots, plein air painting and sketching.  If you can't find me, that's where I'll be!  In cactus heaven.

Update:  I will be at the garden this Saturday at 8am joining a sketchcrawl.  And if any near-by fellow Cactuteers would like to participate, that would be sweet!  I've got one free guest pass just for you.