Flying the Nest

Mama White-winged Dove and one of her babies on our fence

This morning when I was letting Becca into the backyard something flew away from the patio enclosure door.  Yesterday I'd had the thought that Mama Dove's babies were getting big enough to leave the nest, and, sure enough, there she was herself sitting with one of the kids right next to her.  They stayed put even though Becca walked right underneath them several times.  You all know how flighty doves are, so this was one incredible feat of nerves to sit there like that.  I didn't see the other baby, so I hope it's all right.

Find the Desert Cottontail rabbit

Strawberry Pitaya flower

I used to think this was a kind of Prairie Clover, but now I'm not so sure

Western flank of Tortugas Mountain

We're headed for the lower desert

Sotol (aka "Desert Spoon") sends up two flower stalks

Fragrant Acacia flowers (yellow) and a ? vine's flowers

Something Cleopatra-like about this shot?