Prickly Pear

I was wandering around the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park when I came upon this hillside covered with Prickly Pear cactus. I shot this photo keeping an eye on the amonous clouds, as it threatened to rain. This mat-forming cactus is common throughout DPP and the drier areas of southern Alberta.I try to time my visits to DPP when the cactus are blooming with their wonderful showy yellow flowers.