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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Back in the Desert Again

Ocotillo forest
In the Sacramento Mountains we got rain every afternoon; the mountains create their own weather.  We weren't sure if the environs near Las Cruces got rain, but once we saw the Ocotillos all leafed out we were certain of significant rainfall.  The Ocotillo is an ingenious plant.  When there isn't sufficient moisture for photosynthesis it drops its leaves.  When abundant rain falls, the Ocotillo leafs out again.  There was a sea of Ocotillo greenery in the desert today.
On the foothills trail

The Organ Mountains from Tortugas's foothills

Ancient Ocotillos

Leafing out

Perfect leaves on a hardwood buggy whip

Ocotillos in the Tortugas Mountain foothills
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