It rained on my urban prairie two weeks ago. We received about 2 inches over the course of the week. The temperatures cooled from the 100s to the low 90s; creating a pleasant diversion from our typical hot, dry (but humid) summer.
The rain is just memory now. The the soil is drying out again, however the rain did leave leave its mark. Several plants on the prairie burst into bloom in appreciation of the rain. Below is evidence of the rain.
Beebrush, Aloysia gratissima, was covered in flowers and bees. It filled the backyard with a fragrance similar to vanilla.
This compact Texas sage, Leucophyllum frutescens 'Compactum', was covered in flowers. I did not think about taking a picture until most of the flowers had faded.
These rain lilies, Zephyranthes 'Prairie Sunset', are looking up to the sky for more rain.
I
wish I had a steady hand when taking pictures. I like the way the sunlight glows through the center of this rain lily. I believe this one is Cooperia drummondii.
Maybe we will get another round of blooms soon. There is a slight chance of rain this week.
In this picture are Snow on the Prairie, Flowery Senna (Senna Corymbosa), Bush Sunflower (Simsia calva), Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha), Zexmenia (Zexmenia hispida), and Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea).
These cracks are two inches across and... 
10.5 inches deep. That is some deep soil aeration.
Even in the dry, cracked soil, the natives seem pretty happy. The leaves on some of the less drought tolerant plants wilt in the afternoon sun, but they perk up as soon as they get some shade. 
We have chances of rain every day this week. Maybe we will get enough to close up some of the cracks. I am starting to get concerned that I will stand near one of the cracks and the soil under my feet will give way. I could fall in and never be heard from again. 
Plants in the photos: Little Bluestem, Four-Nerve Daisy, Winecup, Rock Penstemon, Blackeyed Susan, Agave, and Salvia coccinea.
