Raindrops on spiky plants

The neverending fog seems to be behind us, replaced with two atmospheric rivers forecast to bring copious rainfall this Christmas week. The Sacramento area is expected to get only a moderate amount of rain, 2–4". Other parts of Northern California will likely see record rainfalls resulting in significant flooding. No matter what, the weather always seems to be one extreme or another.

Raindrops on spiky plants are lovely, especially up close, so yesterday, in between breaks in the rain, I hauled out my big camera to take some photos. Looking for beauty on a small scale is a wonderful exercise — and a great way to distract yourself from the messiness of the bigger world out there. I hope these photos will bring a smile to your face.

Aloe petrophila

Lachenalia punctata

Kniphofia ‘Christmas Cheer’

Aloe lukeana

Aloe elegans

Aloe speciosa × barberae

Aloe maculata hybrid

Aloe alooides

Aloe distans

Agave ocahui

Agave titanota × ×Mangave ‘Bloodspot’

×Mangave ‘Inky Fingers’

×Mangave ‘Inky Fingers’

×Mangave ‘Foxy Lady’

Ruffled Echeveria (label lost)

Agave shawii

Agave teeth

Encephalartos horridus

Encephalartos (munchii × chimanimaniensis) × eugene-maraisii

Yucca linearifolia

Opuntia sulphurea

Echinopsis ‘Pink Diamond’

Echinopsis ‘Sleeping Beauty’

Echinopsis ‘Pink Diamond’

Echinopsis ‘Pink Diamond’

Echinopsis ‘Tondelayo’

Echinopsis ‘Tondelayo’

Here’s wishing you sanity and serenity in the lead-up to Christmas, or whatever else you might be celebrating at this time of year.

© Gerhard Bock, 2025. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.