The Look of Spring

Cotton-candy sky

Unlike yesterday, there were just a few other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain this morning. We didn't run into anybody.  We made sure of that by doing a lot of bushwhacking across the desert floor.  It paid off.  We saw visible signs of the beginning of Spring:  Ocotillo buds and Claret Cup Cactus flowers.  Soon the trees will begin leafing out and the Creosote Bushes will be covered in fragrant yellow blooms after the first good rain.

Heading down trail

Ocotillos are beginning to bud

Somebody's headed up the mountain

Torrey Yucca

Claret Cup Cactus starting to bloom

Looking down at the Claret Cup Cactus

A bright, orangish-red flower

Waiting patiently while Packrat takes too many photographs

A Red-Tail Hawk in flight