PHOTOS: Joshua trees delivering large blooms in Southern Nevada

A Joshua tree blooms off of Blue Diamond Road, near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, on Thursday. The Mojave Desert’s most iconic plant is in the midst of an unusually large bloom that has surprised researchers. Evolutionary biologist Chris Smith from Willamette University in Salem, Ore., said he didn’t expect to see so many blossoms in Nevada during such a dry spring.

The abundance of blooms on Joshua trees, seen here against thin clouds in a deep blue sky on Thursday, were a surprise to researchers in a dry spring. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a good place to see the display.

A yucca plant blooms at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las Vegas on Thursday.