The Heat is On

Morning moon

Becca and I got an early start west of Tortugas Mountain this morning, but not early enough to beat out a large group of women hikers who were already trekking along one of the upper trails; we only saw them from a distance, though, and had no encounters with any other outdoor enthusiasts during our extended hike.  The weather was warm enough to demand that I remove my Columbia vest at about the midway point of the outing, and if not for a persistent breeze I would have had to take off my Marmot PreCip jacket as well.  Things are really supposed to warm up over the next few days, and it looks as if we'll be topping off in the high-70s--well above normal for this time of year.

Trail on the west side of Tortugas Mountain

Yucca Fro

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) on an Ocotillo

Group of hikers navigating the flank of Tortugas Mountain

Large Hedgehog Cactus with tiny buds

Barrel in a bush

Closeup of the Barrel Cactus

Volcanic mountains?

Moon through Ocotillo

This and the next two:  same Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)

Becca pining to go out again post hike