Moisture's Return

In the upper foothills

Becca and I started our morning trek a tad later than usual, but the shadow of Tortugas Mountain still afforded plenty of shade for us as we hiked along its western flank owing to the fact that we're well beyond the midpoint of the summer season and the sun is riding in a different position in the sky.  Nevertheless, it still felt hot here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, and the humidity boost we're getting from a direct southern wind flow--straight up from the Gulf of Mexico--puts us squarely in the monsoon season still.  Rain chances have increased significantly, and we're supposed to start getting precipitation as soon as this afternoon.

A large Hedgehog Cactus

Where not to picnic in the desert

Chinchweed covering the desert floor

West of Tortugas Mountain

A wise shade break

Rubbery new Ocotillo growth will soon harden into dangerous spikes

I spotted two bird's nests here

Bushwhacked over to get a closer look

Can you see the second nest?

This and the next three:  Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)

Also called Yellow Bird of Paradise

This plant is native to tropical America, mostly Argentina and Uruguay

When seed pods burst they sound like little firecrackers