|
A major arroyo on Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain's west side |
An arroyo is a low-lying dry riverbed in the desert, also called a "wash" or "dry wash." It doesn't rain much in the Chihuahuan Desert, but when it does it often pours. Water rushing down from hills or mountains finds its path into these low-lying areas. Not surprisingly, these arroyos hold moisture after the rains have gone, and the desert plants are most abundant here. Because these plants provide food and shelter, you are likely to see desert animals in these remote places: foxes, coyotes, jackrabbits and, yes, even dangerous rattlesnakes are sometimes encountered here.
|
An arroyo lush with vegetation |
|
Raging waters course through arroyos like this |
|
Arroyo bottoms are like sandy beaches |
|
Water's force is evident in arroyos |
|
Canine streaking through arroyo tributary |
|
How to rest in an arroyo |
|
Debris carried by flooding water gouges the arroyo bottom |
No comments:
Post a Comment