Vacant Lot

Looking down at a couple Devil's Heads (Echinocactus horizonthalonius)

When Becca and I reached the west side of Tortugas Mountain this morning there were no cars in the Sunset Area parking lot.  We rarely park there anyway, choosing instead to leave our car at the edge of the entrance road near the start of the trail that meanders along the base of the mountain's western foothills.  We saw only one other person out there--a young woman jogging up the road to the top--and that was on our inbound leg.  Four vehicles were parked in the lot when we got back to our car.  We had a nice long trek with few human encounters; just the way we like it.

Devil's Head

Critter search

Sunlight on a ridge

Now in the upper foothills

Ravine west of Tortugas Mountain

Torrey Yucca on its last leg (if I may use that expression)

What just zipped across the road?

This

Looking for more critters

Prickly Pears, yuccas and Ocotillos (Doña Ana Mountains in background)

Our small Ocotillo friend

Closer look

Yucca, Ocotillo and Creosote Bush

Yuccas and Bishop Cap

Large, four-headed Torrey Yucca

Is there a different "feel" between this one . . .

. . . and this?