Deer Prudence

All mule deer were on our property this morning

Willow and I encountered a small herd of deer on her morning constitutional today.  We also caught several fleeting glances of deer in the forest above our cabin when Dr. K, Willow and I were on our trek.  Weather felt slightly warm due to high humidity, and now, in mid-afternoon we've had several brief showers.

Davis Mountain Mock Vervain

Bladderpod

Willow on our driveway

Sacramento Mountains

Bladderpod

 

Bladderpod all over the forest floor

Yucca blooming at 7,012 feet

Too early to catch this hedgehog blooming

Daisy

Haploa

Sacramento Mountains vista

Up After Down

Three Claret Cup Hedgehog Cacti

Dr. K, Willow and I took a regular morning hike before returning home to finish packing for a trip to the high country, where we are now.  Much cooler up here, and, apparently, there's a good chance of rain tomorrow.  We'll see.  After lunch we all walked up our road to linger for a while; Willow very much enjoyed it.

House Finch

Spectaclepod

Claret Cup

Willow leading the way

Allthorn

Velvety Nerisyrenia

Claret Cup

 

Willow and Me

Claret Cup flower with buds

Willow and I were out together on the morning hike.  We followed our regular route, seeing, along the way, Two-White-Dogs-Lady, her dogs and a hiking companion.  We also got a glimpse of Mrs. Basset and her hounds.  Saw no one else.  A bit warm out there at the start:  60F.  We're on another warming trend, which I don't favor.

Heart like a rock

Yucca bird

Ocotillo flowering

Range Ratany

Willow in right branch arroyo

Last 2:  Desert Sumac

 

Sunday's Best

Northern Mockingbird had a lot to say today

52F when Dr. K, Willow and I hit the trail this morning; bright sunshine and no breeze kept the conditions comfortable.  We saw a few other outdoor enthusiasts while we were out there--two hikers with dogs bushwhacking to the northwest of us.  Most notable were the beautiful desert flowers, the Northern Mockingbird who was very boisterous all during our outing, and lots of talkative sparrows--mostly Brewer's--who preceded us while we ascended the right branch arroyo before ending our hike.  Took a long drive afterward listening to the Sunday Morning show on 600 ESPN out of El Paso.

This & next:  Claret Cup Cactus

Willow and Dr. K

Wils off lead

Northern Mockingbird

This & next 2:  Feather Dalea

Desert Marigold

 

No Kings Day

1st 2:  Desert Evening-primrose

42F this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I began our hike; the cold front that blew in yesterday brought cooler air to the desert--a reprieve from the unusually hot weather.  We'll be heating up again shortly.  We saw no other outdoor enthusiasts during the trek while we followed the regular route.  We did see, however, lot of blooming plants and chattering birds.  We took a semi-long drive after our outing before heading home.

Prizewinner

She's not really sulking

Feather Dalea

Claret Cups

This & next:  ocotillo buds blooming

Desert Evening-primrose

Claret Cups (phone pic)