Lovely rain

Some plants seem transformed by our winter rain.

The leaves of this Baja fairy duster Calliandra californica are beaded with raindrops.

This drought tolerant evergreen is native to Baja California, and produces scarlet red tufted flowers nearly all year round.

It provides larval food for Lycaenid Butterflies such as the Acmon Blue, Western Pygmy Blue and Gray Hairstreak.

We have this one planted in a large container on the patio.

When it bloomed last year, it was frequently visited by Anna's hummingbirds.

It has yet to bloom this year, but seems to be thriving in the cooler, wet weather.