Saturday in the Desert

Claret Cup flower and buds

There were quite a few outdoor enthusiasts on and about Tortugas Mountain this morning, but Becca and I didn't run into anybody.  We did a long hike west of the mountain, exploring an east-west arroyo as we headed back on the inbound leg of our trek.  There were lots of flowering plants to photograph, including myriad Claret Cup Hedgehog Cacti, whose blossoms are so gorgeous it's hard not to take pics of them time and again.  I don't feel the need to apologize, however, for posting them over and over here on my blog.

Squiggly trail

Happy hiker

Near-perfect Claret Cup Cactus photo

Nipple cactus

Bouquet

Ocotillo beginning to flower

Headed for a mesa

Mormon Tea starting to flower

Best buds

Torrey Yucca and the Doña Ana Mountains

Devil's Claw

In an arroyo west of Tortugas

Torrey Yucca flower stalk

Prickly Pear and Daisies

Wild Rhubarb with creamy-white flowers

A little off-trail exploring

Desert Marigolds

Scorpionweed (aka Wild Heliotrope)

How to take a break in the desert

More yucca flowers

Desert flower arrangement

Torrey Yucca and Tortugas Mountain

Loggerhead Shrike