Ocotillo Forest

Moseying along the foothills trail

Becca and I took an early-morning hike west of Tortugas Mountain this morning, and it didn't feel quite as hot as I imagined it would.  Nevertheless, we took three or four shade breaks to ameliorate the heat.  Becca was very appreciative.  There was a big storm here in the low desert last Wednesday afternoon, which we didn't get to see because we'd already headed to the Sacramento Mountains; but from the looks of our driveway and the amount of dirt and debris that washed out onto the roads in our neighborhood the rain came down hard.  The desert benefited from the moisture as evidenced by the vast forest of Ocotillos leafing out as far as the eye could see.

Ocotillos leafing out all over the mountain

Something catches Becca's attention

White-thorn Acacia

Ocotillo flower buds

10' Ocotillo

Soaptree Yucca still in bloom

Ocotillos in green across the vast northern Chihuahuan Desert

15' Ocotillo

Dense thicket of Ocotillos

Green Buggy Whip wands

Ocotillo leaves and thorns

Ocotillos and the flank of Tortugas Mountain

Ocotillos and the Organ Mountains

Becca headed through an Ocotillo forest

Mighty tall Buggy Whips

Taking a break at the base of a tall Ocotillo

Strawberry Pitaya Cacti blossoming again

A sea of newly-green Ocotillos

Strawberry Pitaya Hedgehog Cactus

Yucca blossoms and buds