Sacred and the Profane

Can't stop photographing Barrel Cactus buds

Although we're slated to be 93F today Becca and I did a long hike in relatively cool conditions.  There was plenty of light cloud cover and a steady wind to ameliorate the heat.  The results of abundant rainfall in late July are evident in our northern Chihuahuan Desert; everything is much greener than normal.  It's a welcome sight.  Also, because of the extra precipitation, flowers are in bloom everywhere, a pure delight in this otherwise arid environment.

West of Tortugas Mountain

Heading further west

A glance to the south

Where did that happy hiker go?

View across to the Organ Mountains

Doña Ana Mountains

Can't catch the Nipple Beehive Cactus flowers open

Recent rains have greened up the Chihuahuan Desert quite nicely

Another Dayflower (Commelina communis)

Sun will break through eventually

Early morning, northern Chihuahuan Desert

Another ring of Barrel Cactus buds

We're over 1.5 inches of rain above normal now

There she is

Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii)

Sacred Datura, a poisonous hallucinogen, is classified as deliriant

Sacred Datura is also known as Locoweed or Jimsonweed

The flower bell of Sacred Datura is often 4 inches wide

The stems of Sacred Datura can be 6 inches in length

Sacred Datura is also called Angel's Trumpet