The Parched Land

Somebody lost a feather

Becca and I got a fairly early start on a morning trek on the west side of Tortugas Mountain.  We saw a few other hikers and bikers out there, but the area wasn't very crowded today.  Clearly the heat is on again, and our temperature is supposed to climb to 94F later this afternoon.  And the dewpoint and humidity have fallen noticeably as the desert dries out.  The effects of our recent rain are obvious on the parched desert, but it's going to take a lot more precipitation for us to even begin approaching normal conditions again.

Becca at the trail crossing

Old flower on an Ocotillo

Prickly Pear pad and Devil's Head

Long view of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Allthorn blossoming

Buds of the Allthorn (aka Crucifixion Thorn)

Desert Cottontail

The obvious benefit of rain

Ocotillo leafing out

This and the next two:  Pyrrhuloxia on a wire

Even an old Ocotillo benefits from the rain

Old Ocotillo leafing out

Interesting Mesquite bean

Mesquite bean

Mobius Mesquite Bean