Prickly pears and beach yuccas in full bloom

The rough winter past is becoming a distant memory but at least two coastal plants are showing their appreciation for the poor man's fertilizer brought by the frequent snows.

Prickly pear cactus have jacked themselves up from their winter dormancy and now are showing the waxy and intense yellow blossoms that will soon give way to the fruit that makes their name.  In some places the fruit of the prickly pear is considered an antidote for a hangover.  Just don't eat the prickly petals.

Also blooming riotously and reminding us of the desert nature of the coastal ecosystem are the yuccas that enjoy life in the dunes.  Their blossoms are bright white and sing their choruses from tall stems that rise from the midst of the long cactusy leaves that grow out of the sand like a green fireworks display.

Great displays by nature to mark the recent arrival of the summer solstice.

Don't forget the festivities at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal all day Sunday and the fireworks display over the bay Sunday at dusk.