Heat Harbinger

First 2:  Klein's Pencil Cactus (Cylindropuntia kleiniae)

When you step out of your vehicle and the air feels really hot you know the day will be quite toasty.  We're slated to reach 98F this afternoon, but I wouldn't be surprised if we hit the century mark.

Willow, Frio and I took many shade breaks during our normal trek, and I was as anxious to get into yucca shadows as the Heelers were.  We saw a few critters out and about during our peregrination, but no humans.

When we drove along the upper flatland road on our way out I had to stop at the intersection with Tellbrook Road to do a little work; I removed and tossed aside 7 or 8 large stones that would have presented difficulty in exiting the dirt road onto the pavement.

This & next 5:  Soaptrees (Yucca elata) are blooming

This & next:  Frio and Willow

First cicada sighting (poor one)

This & next:  Gambel's Quail (male) sentinel

Mormon Tea (female plant)

Last 2:  landscape experiments