Leafing Out

Mesquite trees leafed out just west of the mountain

Becca and I got an early start this morning west of Tortugas Mountain, and the weather was just cool enough to make me wonder about my choice of short-sleeve shirt and hiking shorts.  But the wind wasn't an issue--like it was yesterday--and it only started to pick up at the end of our trek when we stood talking to our pal Jimmy.  I stood talking.  Becca stood in ecstasy while Jimmy gave her a shoulder massage.  Now, in the early afternoon, the wind is blowing hard again, and it looks as if it might continue throughout the day like it did yesterday.

We had rain yesterday . . .

. . . and today we have fully leafed out Ocotillos

Becca's view of an Ocotillo

B&W Ocotillo

A partial shade break

Blossoms

Hedgehog Cactus

Hedgehog, Ocotillo and yucca

Crossing between two dirt roads

A male Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii)

Deer are using the new trail

Same as #4 above, but black-and-white