May 22, 2023
Estes Valley
The mountain ball cacti are beginning to bloom around the lower areas of Rocky Mountain National Park and throughout the Estes Valley. They can be easy to overlook, so watch carefully. They can often be found in drier areas such as south facing slopes and in open areas between the widely spaced ponderosa pines. Notice how this one is surrounded by ponderosa pine needles. Photo © copyright by Rocky Mountain National Park.com.