Cactus or Tree?

Definitely cactus! This one was in a small road-side nature park that had several interesting varieties and specimens of cacti. It's located on the road between Oaxaca and Puebla in southern Mexico. (And no, I don't know what it's called.)

Desert rain!

It seems hard to believe that a couple of weeks ago I was suffering with sub-zero temperatures in Milwaukee. This week we've had temperatures here in Torreon over 90 degrees. One of those days those temps were accompanied by a serious dust storm. The picture is of the Cerro de las Noas, with its Christ statue. Can you make it out? This is not an unusual experience during the months of February or March. Sore throats and itchy eyes abound.