Rattled

Sky over ocotillos

Hotter this morning, but Dr. K, Willow and I got a respite from the heat due to some lovely high clouds that came and went.  At first we considered cutting the hike short, though, ultimately, we did the entire trek.  One encounter gave us pause for thought during the outing today:  an agitated young Western Diamondback that rattled a distinctive warning before climbing partially up into a creosote bush.  I could tell that Willow was a bit rattled as we passed uncomfortably close to the slithery varmint.  We kept our distance while I photographed it having been sufficiently warned not to approach too closely.

Headed down LDR-A

Dayflower

Willow on her favorite smooth sand

Newly blossomed prickly pear flowers

A young Western Diamondback rattlesnake

Closeup of those prickly pear flowers

 

Monday's Meander

Mourning Dove

Dr. K, Willow and I lucked out on this morning's hike in that it was mostly cloudy and somewhat overcast thereby diminishing the hot start to the day; it was already 73F when we headed off.  Saw no other outdoor enthusiasts in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert even though there were several vehicles parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma ranch corner lot.  High is supposed to be 98F this afternoon.

Mockingbird

Greenery after the rains

This & next:  Dayflowers

Ocotillos showing their love of rain

Willow in ocotillo shadow

White-thorn Acacia blooming again

Willow and Dr. K in the right branch arroyo

Desert Marigolds are flowering again

 

Sunny Sunday

Ocotillos are leafing out after the rain

Already hot when Dr. K, Willow and I started hiking this morning; no breeze to ameliorate the heat.  We're headed for 97F this afternoon.  We took a short drive around several different neighborhoods before going home.

This & next:  Black-throated Sparrow (artsy versions)

Looking for insects

This & next:  Wils on break

Last 2:  ocotillo greenery

 

Heat is on Again

1st 2:  Willow relaxing on smooth sand

Hot in the desert this morning for our daily trek; Dr. K, Willow and I all seemed slightly bothered by the heat.  We're headed for a high of 95F this afternoon.  If the atmosphere dries out enough our evaporative cooler should handled conditions quite easily.  We took a long drive after today's outing.

The rest:  Texas Horned Lizard

 

Rain Bugs

Drying out after Wednesday's big rainstorm

Sure looked like it could rain when Dr. K, Willow and I were out in the desert this morning, but my weather app gave only a 1% chance of precipitation.  Most notable thing about today's trek:  the rain bugs (Red Velvet Mites) were out in abundance.

Still a lot of humidity in the atmosphere

This & next:  Red Velvet Mites (Trombidiidae)

Lovely Willow

Red Velvet Mites are also known as "rain bugs"

Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus fruit

 

Post Deluge

Slice of blue

We had an absolute deluge yesterday early evening; according to a weather website we got 2.15 inches of rain, which is quite heavy for a couple of hours here in the desert.  This morning the arroyos showed evidence of the heavy downpour, scoured by rainwater running fast.  We may get more precipitation over the next few days, which is always welcome.

Young barrel cactus twins

Willow and Dr. K heading down LDR-A

First Nipple Beehive Cactus bud we've seen

LDR-A arroyo scoured by rainwater last night

Rainwater ran heavy through the Tellbrook Arroyo

Willow in the Tellbrook Arroyo

Nipple Beehive Cactus blooming near the right branch arroyo

Right branch arroyo

Millipede

 

Poche Foto

1st 2:  Soaptree Yucca fruit

Pretty good morning hike with Willow and Dr. K.  Weather was warm with something of a breeze.  We followed our regular route seeing one hiker and a dog trekking southward along the high ridge east of us.  We're headed for a high of 89F this afternoon with a good chance of rain in the early evening.  We sure need the precipitation.

Willow between the left and right branch

Find the barrel cactus

This & next:  why it's called Allthorn

In the right branch arroyo looking northward