OMG!

Single-track deeply rutted from rain runoff

Beginning a little before midnight last night we were hit with a massive thunderstorm that scared the bejesus out of Becca.  I had to sit up with her for an hour-and-a-half because she was so frightened.  We're not sure why she's gotten so bad of late; not even her Thundershirt seems to work any longer.  We got a lot of rain over a 1 1/2-hour period, and this morning it was so humid we could barely stand being outdoors.  I did shorten the hike significantly, though, and the Beckster and I seemed to hold up OK.

A young Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Adolescent Mockingbird

Shame

Humidity haze at the base of the Organ Mountains

Ocotillos are loving the abundant rain we've had of late

Headed back to Tortugas on a hazy, humid morning

Official total at the airport was .55", but we got way more than that

Well-quaffed desert

Why do Black-tailed Jackrabbits often look so cocky?

Headed back to the trailhead

The arroyo that runs alongside our house (barely visible at left)

Redwhisker Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra)

Clammyweed is a member of the Caper family, Capparaceae

Clammyweed closeup