Another Hot One

Desert Marigold

Unlike during yesterday's hike Dr. K, Willow and I didn't have the benefit of clouds partially blocking the sun; oh there were clouds this morning, but not in the right location.  Therefore it felt a bit hotter out there for our daily trek.  We got through it okay thanks to Willow's constant stopping in shady spots.

Willow between arroyos

Yucca anatomy

Ocotillo with prickly pear friend

Prickly Pear craters

Last 2:  nearly identical views from the right branch

 

Hotter Still

Grateful for these clouds this morning

Dr. K, Willow and I lucked out on our hike this morning, at least most of the time; a batch of clouds partially obscured the blazing sun much of the way.  At times, when it did come out, old Mr. Sol heated things up significantly.  We're headed for a high of 101F this afternoon.  We saw no other nature lovers out in our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert today.

This & next:  desert greening up

Willow on Mars

Southwest of Tortugas Mountain

This & next:  happy ocotillos

A fourth of the way up the steep hill west of the right branch

 

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