Cheating the Wind

What looks like a stick is a Night Blooming Cereus Cactus (Cereus greggii)

Becca and I got an early enough start that we avoided any windy conditions on our trek this morning.  At the far southern extent of our hike we ran into Courtney and Pepper in the upper foothills.  We hadn't seen them in about a year; they hadn't been hiking in the area for that long.  Becca was especially happy to see Pepper, though I don't think the feeling was exactly mutual.  Becca gets a little too frisky for Pepper.  They do get on fine, though.  Courtney said they'll be hiking out there more often from now on, and it will be fun running into them on occasion.

Just west of the mountain

Scouting left

Scouting right

Some blue sky

Overcast during most of the hike

Gap in the Organ Mountains

Looking out over Picacho Peak

Closer look

The rugged Organs

Somebody's been nibbling Prickly Pear flowers

This and the next four:  Whitethorn Acacia (Vachellia constricta)

We ran into Pepper and Courtney on the trail today (this is Pepper)

Strawberry Pitaya Hedgehog Cactus about to blossom

This is undoubtedly why it's called "Strawberry" Hedgehog

Prickly Pear flowers that will probably be tangerine colored

Slightly different perspective

Blind Prickly Pear flower

More flowers of the Blind Prickly Pear