Winter's Last Gasp

West side of Tortugas Mountain

We were fortunate coming down from the Sacramento Mountains yesterday:  we beat the big wind.  It blew hard all day and night, only diminishing slightly by this morning.  Although it wasn't frigid (just below 40F) when Becca and I set off for Tortugas Mountain the wind chill was significant.  Despite the sunshine it felt darned cold out there for our entire trek.  It was so chilly, in fact, I felt disinclined to take photos; I did, nonetheless.  

First Velvety Nerisyrenia I've seen blooming (aka Bicolor Fanmustard)

Bicolor Fanmustard

View from just west of Tortugas

Becca scoping out the surroundings

She sees somebody on the mountain road

Soaptree Yucca

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) making progress

Ocotillo buds

Closer look at the buds

Another B&W desert image

Tortugas Mountain

Getting close