Grand View Yet Again

Smooth Spreading Four O'Clock

Dr. K, Becca and I got an early start on the Grand View Trail this morning, and we were glad we did; conditions began to heat up quickly as we made our way toward the midway ramada.  We met a guy along the way who was headed in the opposite direction.  He said, "I should have gotten an earlier start.  It's getting hot already."  That's the only outdoor enthusiast we encountered.  Pretty amazing for a Sunday morning in late August.  Reveled in the beauty for nearly 1 1/2 hours, then made it back in time to do yard work before lunch.  Oh happy day!

Smooth Spreading Four O'Clock (Mirabilis oxybaphoides)

Headed in

Prickly Pear Cactus and Indian Paintbrush

Horse Nettle

Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima)

Buffalo Gourd blossom and small groud

These Buffalo Gourd leaves are a foot to a foot-and-a-half long

The old railroad bed

The result of abundant rainfall

Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis)

Fendler's Globemallow

Smooth Spreading Four O'Clock (Mirabilis oxybaphoides)

Past the midway point

Bee in an Apache Plume blossom

Bee and Bee-Fly in Apache Plume flower

Loving the trail

Chihuahuan Flax and shadow

Chihuahuan Flax (Linum vernale)

Smooth Spreading Four O'Clock

Incoming

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Turkey Vulture

Outgoing

Becca on break