Higher Humidity

This and the next:  Mormon Tea flowers

Becca and I were on the trail west of Tortugas Mountain just after 7 this morning, but it already felt hot out there due to elevated humidity.  I think our chances of rain over the next few days have gone up dramatically.

Surprisingly there were a lot or outdoor enthusiasts around the mountain, and we ran into one right off--a woman who was finishing her hike.  After a minor bushwhacking adventure into a sandy area west of Tortugas, Becca and I headed back.  On the way in we ran into three hikers with a dog.  I put Becca on lead, although I think she'd have been fine off because the other canine seemed very friendly.

We had a nice, fairly long hike despite the humidity, but I think our evaporative cooler here at home will be put to use much earlier today than it was yesterday.

A happy hiker

Whitethorn Acacia

Happy Hiker on break

Base of a gnarly old Ocotillo

White-winged Dove

Soaptree Yuccas

Harey the Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Giving me the cold shoulder

LOL!

This and the next 3:  the same Soaptree Yucca

Desert Marigold

This and the next:  same Soaptree Yucca

Leaning flower stalk of a Soaptree Yucca

Same Soaptree with leaning flower stalk