Can't Wait

Nice way to start off on a morning hike

Becca and I got off to a relatively early start west of Tortugas Mountain this morning and, at first, the conditions were quite bearable:  partially overcast sky with a cooling breeze.  But because the humidity was very high it didn't take long for us to work up a sweat.  (Every dog lover knows that a canine sweats lightly from the bottom of its paws.)  She was panting quite a bit to cool herself, too.  We did a moderately long hike with plenty of shade and water breaks accompanied by frequent stops for photo-taking opportunities.

Closer look

Ocotillo leaves

Becca on the new trail

Further along the new trail

Beautiful sky this morning

Show us your "happy hiker" face

Atta-girl

This will look spectacular all bloomed out

Good size Barrel Cactus

Slightly different perspective

Closer in

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)

Barrel Cactus mandala

Hummer in B&W

Artsy hummer

Soaptree Yucca stalks

Whitethorn Acacia flowers and the observatory on Tortugas Mountain

Heading up an arroyo action shot

Climbing out of the arroyo

Vast desert between here and there

Can a Soaptree Yucca be stately?

Ocotillo hieroglyphs

Bicolor Fanmustard (Velvety nerisyrenia)

Bicolor Fanmustard