Sirocco

Weather at start

Extra warm and humid when Dr. K, Willow and I began hiking this morning.  Adding to the discomfort level was a hot wind (not really a sirocco) that blew for much of the trek.  Things got worse when the sun refused to stay behind the clouds and added blazing heat to the mix.  We did the entire route nonetheless, taking a long drive after the outing in the air-conditioned comfort of Whitey the CR-V. 

Willow pushing grass

This & next 2:  Desert Cardinal

This & next:  same barrel cactus

Allthorn flowering

Same Texas Horned Lizard we met yesterday

In an arroyo looking north to Tortugas Mountain

 

Cool and Hot

House Finches getting breakfast

When Dr. K, Willow and I started the hike this morning it actually felt a bit cool; the sun was shaded by clouds, the humidity seemed low, and a stiff breeze was blowing.  That changed halfway through the trek; sun came out, breeze stopped, and it even felt a tad more humid.  We did the full regular route nonetheless, and we were glad for the extra exercise.

Wils the sand potato

Yucca and ocotillos

White-thorn Acacia

Ripening prickly pears

This & next:  Texas Horned Lizard

Black-chinned Hummer

 

Still Hot, Less Muggy

Soaptree Yucca, mesquite tree, Nipple Beehive Cactus

We cut the hike by a third again this morning due to unpleasant heat; we do this primarily for Willow even though she makes repeated stops in the shade throughout the trek.  We saw no other deranged nature enthusiasts out in the desert, undoubtedly because it's far too hot.

Willow in the right branch arroyo

Looks like another Common Side-blotched lizard

This & next 3:  prickly pear fruit ripening

With ocotillo

Northern Mockingbird

 

Heat and Humidity

Willow the sand potato

Kind of a drag being back in the lower desert, especially when it's hot and humid.  For Willow's sake--but for Dr. K and me, too--we cut the hike short by a third.  We still had plenty of time to observe birds and a lizard while we were out there catering to Willow's need to lie down in the shade every ten feet.

Guess who slept here last night

White-winged Dove

Common Side-blotched lizard

This & next 2:  Black-chinned Hummingbird

Yellow flowers of White-thorn Acacia

Headed south in the right branch arroyo

Last 2:  Say's Phoebe

 

A Wrap

Thicket Hairstreak

We did a forest hike this morning before returning to the cabin to pack and head down the mountain to the lower desert where we are now.

Willow with Dr. K's feet

Last 2:  Juniper Titmouse

 

Busy Morning

1st 2:  washboard clouds over the Sacramentos

Warmer for our morning hike due to the presence of sun; it wasn't hot by any means, though.  However, the humidity was a bit high owing to yesterday's rain.  We could get more today.  Dr. K, Willow and I did our regular route, and my knees held up pretty well.  After the trek Dr. K and I drove down to Alamogordo to do some grocery shopping at Lowe's Signature Market, get gas and make a quick stop at Home Depot to buy Flex Seal for a touch up at our lower desert home.

Willow on her morning constitutional

Interesting clouds this morning

Wils on break

Morning light on hedgehog cactus

Break #?

One way down

Mountain vista on the way back

Mountain Mang

Pines