Cleistocactus, Ferocactus, and Yucca in my garden. This storm occurred on the evening of Saturday, Sept 12, 2015 and was generated by the remnant moisture of Tropical Storm Linda in the Eastern Pacific.

It was another stormy sunset with great lighting and dramatic clouds approaching. I was hoping that this one would translate into rain as well, but it really didn’t, at least not near me. Oh well, the pretty pictures will have to do instead.

Last rays of the sun on the rocky hills as glowering storm clouds arrive overhead.

There was some lightning but not as much as you’d expect, so it was hard to decide where to aim the camera. This was the best bolt of the night. I had to stand in the doorway for safety as I didn’t want to be out in the open, just in case one hit close by.

My Aloe dichotoma x bainesii “Hercules” is growing nicely. It’s the largest aloe I have and although it requires significant winter protection I appreciate having it as a foreground element in scenes like this.

This large golden barrel clump (Echinocactus grusonii) is one of about 8 that I rescued from a Phoenix-area yard. The lady selling them for only $20 each was worried that her kid would suffer terribly and possibly die in them, and just wanted them out of her yard. Never mind that a child has never, ever died from an encounter with a barrel cactus. But who am I to argue with cheaply-sold plants because of someone’s ill-considered paranoia?

Teddybear chollas (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) and soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) grace my garden under a sky full of drama.