It's All Relative

Getting ready to slalom up the trail

Dr. K, Becca and I did an especially-long hike around the west side of Tortugas Mountain and into the outback this morning.  Both Dr. K and I commented on how green parts of the desert were, but we both laughed at the thought of Americans in almost any other part of the country hearing us say that.  "Green" is a relative term when it comes to describing landscapes in our gloriously diverse nation.  Because I once lived in the Midwest as well as on the east coast, and Dr. K lived in Seattle for two-and-a-half years we both know what true "green" looks like.

Look who's waiting ahead

Pretty green for the northern Chihuahuan Desert

Cholla blossoms

Soaptree Yucca flower stalk

Becca finds shade next to a Desert Sumac

Climbing Milkweed

This Scott's Oriole is a real acrobat

Not sure what the bird on the left is

Same Scott's Oriole, different Ocotillo

Ocotillo leafing out

Really late-blooming Claret Cup Cactus

I'm guessing "Ash-throated Flycatcher"