Long Time No See

Fruit of Littleleaf Ratany (Krameria erecta)

Becca and I had the good fortune of running into our buddy Jimmy when we were nearly finished with our hike and he was just heading off to the top of the mountain.  We haven't seen very much of him because he's been riding his bike a lot and avoiding Tortugas Mountain due to the crowds.  He and I talked for fifteen or twenty minutes while Becca lay in the shadow of a Creosote Bush.  Naturally we discussed our illustrious president, exercising our necks while shaking our heads repeatedly.  Who the hell can say where we're headed in this country?

Too green to be a Cabbage White?

Not quite in the higher desert yet

Always scouting territory

Hedgehog, Strawberry Hedgehog and Prickly Pear Cacti

Gaining elevation

Chinchweed

Carpet of Chinchweed

Dayflowers

Dayflowers and Chinchweed

Dayflowers with a Chinchweed backdrop

A chubby Barrel Cactus

Closeup of the Barrel

Lots of Chinchweed in the sandy Chihuahuan Desert

Bouquets of Desert Zinnia west of Tortugas Mountain

Photobombed by the toe of a boot

Barrel Cactus blossoms

Beautiful Barrel Cactus mandala

Closeup of flowers and buds

One outstanding bud

Dayflower and Cutleaf Globe Berry

Dayflower and Cutleaf Globe Berry

Velvety Nerisyrenia

Ripe fruit of Allthorn