After the Bloom

Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale)

Willow, Frio and I hiked up to Second Arroyo this morning.  On the way back I searched for and found the Night-blooming Cereus that had flowered the night before.  As you can see in the image below it looks like an old stick without the flowers; when the flower remnants disappear the plant will be next to impossible to find.

Heelers earned a solid A grade for their behavior out there today, both on the trail and in the arroyo.  They also got an A for their demeanor on the ride home; even though we saw another loose dog walking with its owners neither Willow nor Frio went haywire.  They received an abundance of praise from me.

Honey Mesquite

Heelers

This & the next 3:  Frio and Willow

Second Arroyo

Night-blooming Cereus the day after the bloom

Organ Mountains

Last 2:  Cholla blooming in a yard off Tellbrook