What Rain Does for the Desert

Cresting the foothills trail

Yesterday morning, prior to the big rains we got yesterday afternoon/early evening, there were no cacti in bloom along the foothills trail.  This morning the Strawberry Pitaya Cacti were flowering all over the place.  The substantial amount of precipitation had a salubrious effect on the desert flora, and the honeybees were thoroughly enjoying themselves.  We had several encounters with mountain bikers today, and Becca was her normal well-behaved self--crouched at the side of the trail as if she were about to herd bicyclists.

The Organ Mountains in the distance

A series of Strawberry Pitaya flowers and happy bees

A cactus called Devil's Head (aka "Horse Crippler")

A fuzzy cactus you wouldn't want to touch

On a high plateau

Happy camper

Mini-millipede

Heading home