Shopping Day at the Hacienda

Acacia blooming rather early

Shortened the hike a little bit again because I had to get home, shower and hit Target and Albertsons before the hordes arrived there.  I don't mind grocery shopping as long as the stores aren't crowded.  Shortening the hike was a pretty good idea after all because the wind started picking up right at the end of our trek.  It's blowing pretty hard at the moment, with gusts predicted to 45 mph.  Tomorrow will be windy, too, as a cold front pushes in to lower our temperatures significantly.  It's happening because I hooked up our evaporative cooler yesterday.

This lone Pitaya flower soon will be joined by many others

True color of the Strawberry Pitaya Cactus flower

The tongue tells the tale (tail?)

Another shady respite

Devil's Claw in Mars-like sand

Pointed back

Big old Ocotillo

Cholla flower at the hacienda

Same flower, different perspective