![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoNqk5ZP-2hQIPuw7135k8O6gtmyBorC1ZTWKXkKd0sa_lr2CRZLVQvYBx4q61ckx4nHbb0T5MuyR5PQVqJCwON2hT8RuPlExrlMyjlPZ5qVH4vDbOyxK7QHaXkEbx6uy0rY8TB5t_WRG/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+001.JPG) |
Does this look like a desert? |
It was a fairly early start for Becca and me on this beautiful and cooler morning in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. It was a veritable meet-and-greet as we hiked along the western side of the mountain; first up, a tall, thin man with the most amazingly long silver beard--most definitely in the ZZ Top category. He looked at Becca and said, "Obviously some Cattle Dog in her." After that he and I talked dog breeds for a while before heading opposite directions.
Next up: Tracey and her dog George and their friend Marie (I think); We talked Strawberry Hedgehog and other blooming cacti in our region of the desert. First thing I did after we all went our separate ways was to photograph a Strawberry Hedgehog. I keep telling myself to desist from taking images of them, but I can't.
From there Becca and I climbed the upper foothills trail to where it crested at the base of the huge limestone formation just below the mountain road. I made her wait while I bushwhacked up the rocky slope to photograph--what else?--more Strawberry Hedgehogs. They were blooming profusely up there, and I just couldn't help myself. I got the added benefit of encountering a Desert Cottontail, though, and I took a few photos of it.
As we headed down the mountain road we saw our good buddy Jimmy approaching; even though I tried to keep Becca back she trotted a good half-city block to get to him. Her reward, as always, was a good petting, and she was so grateful. Jimmy and I talked about several different subjects including the new movie
The River and The Wall, which he viewed on Amazon Prime last night. He highly recommended it, and I can't wait to watch, already having seen a preview video in the past.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEs2Go9rsa8M7QX_Ro8KblX6Kde9rxpCSGeCm6s3vCQbpjXlAcH0NLqnINvsdgewkmFKmm8E4uT_uPDDBXdEYRl3A2taCw1K73t-sjlUOaBnWQa4cD_nR4zvg-zdc3PiFzIK3GYkkPnCH/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+003.JPG) |
Strawberry Hedgehog |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KweT3D1yoICtmZBwgW9mAqa4AVAFrDd78kBFHVGZBr-6EXFpUGKE13t4C1eKaYc949RCOTiM4yHBp87MYTSOj9jd2dJOmmAoBJir6Kas8KfsehLPWuu6f7OFceOCMt2ZSHldrmYvgAwC/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+004.JPG) |
Which came first, the Strawberry Hedgehog or the small Mesquite tree? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin7ywl83JK4O5mUw4Tiy3tSvEadULl74R9cG_5Y0Hgdu7VdrzmTdI9xr3iH2EeWajfIUxn_tlnGlQpe6lJui-VDwTDDNiWaHhbt949x3zsajBYQrvrxEFsYTk4Y1tloadwYyO4Zfoly1G/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+007.JPG) |
This and the next: Ash-throated Flycatcher |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuAYlaqDRQ6LDgiQkbJP-GCuXYxUT8WIwo3mGQtpq1fcaFq5oR7MIqIUVy6wqYVZD4JfT8G1SZOpQAnJ4RVkVvPuA2H1d77KtU7ozhIbX-R-1l4wbtSoRlIezOE5Bu5oXCYRfHOtB5Gt1/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+014.JPG) |
This and the next 2: late-blooming Claret Cup Hedgehog |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDCFV1p-TKdWrr5u5UeXLw3cmUw9ew8s4hIgZ-8c7F9EL5ruMmXBhtmlqIy0_ZC-Awk_X00Al_Gwat8x5Z-ItINWOW8u71E-TyS3ybmI-Bd30rCXq42rGcoTHoKKb7Q3Gp9gu65IxbXP2/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+024.JPG) |
Prickly Pear |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU_XZYSooXzG-ReNzczrWDP4y_U-4Vn4P5PtCLDp0FT-QsWS4EngEM8REdOeccZ4vN8UfWa7K6OM9ociRwcDYRzN4WJ9CE99JVdtQZkq5reDACoENoxxpdz3n7aSInEeVHGBCsHtjaOGO/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+025.JPG) |
Becca on the mountain's western flank |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdxD7vOp3GGK2QmLty-8hRgNlabkq-9xWquQNewQ6O8tiIbnRoYudZBQej9SdsTdk5v8cJcScJk434iTWKfCMScDNJiDDV5uxH9GGr74pOt1fkqo0RBJX5wx2aZfhI61N8QqMxgqNAdTJ/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+027.JPG) |
Whitethorn Acacia |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH94Rn9wMDGA_H5jpby9KFwjPXZUGipFuHklCr5S3IIdNT6bMUMjUFpqYVdoJdSqcpXdqKfBESZPhoKTQOgFDoIUVHRFWCA91_f8-htVmJn3c4HZ9aZbfpsedmuNonw5NxIwGU8r8f0_i9/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+031.JPG) |
An idea of how many Strawberry Hedgehog on the mountain's west side |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr6hk7OHeLN9_v32B0O6mANF6gGYmc30pOEKOzzZ-CcNv72YrVnhXrU0p6IHqLUlFKqNCeo1JnbwILf2yJT4VOcDwyzO9sVvCPDSQxgGXVYLlCGxyfQs7sMqqZoXD064iegYJQATgd4CY/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+034.JPG) |
Looks like one, but it's two Strawberry Hedgehogs side-by-side |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJ2mKwRr-JHomBlRqGXt8uDDSXUssy8ocUXwfLvJ2ZA1g1RWPL2smtAcy7A9aGWC3Ud9c7T2Id-4hg-iDgak3l0eFh8ZAzn_QkGkoQMTcHHwVirq0jw8yUvF-vzrKEwneqEcWtksE1ody/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+035.JPG) |
Look who I found in the rocky outcrop |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1qJi6tES8Pud7A2x_2wpHfQxz37qlVBbs2NYJonUGAG3aIPBQjfEExERf32CaJxvnIiyMqI8pB5c0HeNLWvgmEUPFS4-FuJZTw7iwYsCvIo21HxrUiW6cY1g9d-ghG1tGyPhTpHvLvdS/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+037.JPG) |
Not too worried about me |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrudvjp0EN-yxpBN7eExqEd9hZJbUuDNe1fm0YbPhuBhOkUGnOJL_KLFHeKWxhyphenhyphenr8iKiuQIfiqarf1KFz8SdlKnRGlmykXIxtfPFxYQuibTrT19jFtg-cOmjOrhyphenhyphenyUC7xWwqis_KykX00U/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+038.JPG) |
One last look before . . . |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWF1QR6uepKcU2H45LTgSCuj-JRukeOCZmcdSq71oPPT2hxBDPqikPW3_9sZr1uSqMuoxBg5sIjcl11G0_Oiw51sZuJdfwK9Zh3EvayqsVlegsD0ECancEAcGFTG66MqN34ICIvt4oorw/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+040.JPG) |
. . . skedaddling |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3_ctKMg3O3jubE5tBpEEmlGR3vS50FtIXmclCZLnLbtuUdLo6aaEze0PIPzaFvLfRgHzksNv_eAKcAftkKORreWaHisxu6JooU9-FFqGKfmFWd7osaKApXmP4H2jFmSLWpR0GOH3VCL3/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+041.JPG) |
Closer look at these two Strawberry Hedgehog plants |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oxjToo65KLEQvBJ2Ng3LKguFSHY5P8vKIihwOuxMezl5QvmawzHaIqxQECkBRMbf4oATgQ_Rj6pXeuu8jzy3rA4OqXx71MwwcvJe72zPkk7SQujJTYBnwFprAzGYEPLU9uds89GOTHAQ/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+042.JPG) |
And again |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL07C_ar6rVFWYpxcAMMy1Zq-pSei0rNRssY3jwzAQQMPnE_3nCzTmlujObeONox8xWYHzzU_zwylGc4nAs8dP8IZn0HYa7YN7PO6YPUSAYxkpJ_iqmlW77rlZfkx3M11AJZPN2dueiVKd/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+043.JPG) |
Couldn't choose between this one or . . . |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m2cxCVxBVR1L0oFWVewbwhX0kfWSy0YFg6Ex_6yZW6fo-fPsemkiYahZnhyphenhyphenVhuG8NsDbKDsiI4V-B2DN8yKaWl6ectcW2t5LmKmkfIPxLvazOMulkWdKxubKC3DCr-dACN06Oug-L0Wv/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+044.JPG) |
. . . this one |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqEwZsPYA_pKTu_MGbCiKyL8g74IYItCx-klUwDqy3_XgYwF2RjE3TV78sxwzYrCOpk9zF9TUQyOaWRe0JILyxd_F8C1D5cpBAipisnLA4nLBZu3X4XkzW2x6DoUYf-YG8IesCrpowLhK/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+045.JPG) |
Prickly Pear blossom |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmjqYpcNMjv1Pt7y-Jj5smBMPHIxdAFzn801tC2lUTMUQxmn0dUMOHtOPXhzh3QmP46wcS_9UciW1Xvu4V9f457fbYiSft9-52VNpKVyG71t9iw7MUqwLgcr8FSDx85hlq6mGuFLg3j5Y/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+046.JPG) |
Closer look at it |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gXzL90W2PGVmBqKciAO_qlKfX7XB5urRBfDqGj0mAhuYE90iF4D-BxpQxm_XZy7Jv1MLnRkVT_5kJ42Ig28tYdfESLHCt4LKAdXo0jgH9YIRTfdEt-VdOPHfSiZBR89IRJ0EhbXtRCLL/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+047.JPG) |
This and the next 2: Strawberry Hedgehog flowers |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3QFb98zlbZ4vyH8fQN0XRMQXw7oZGeSeMATOseVtR3cjmCXMJ1SKYvfssbfFUVAJZy6ZTJmnYeCPyJbHnfGSlqxDIzaRslihW1_GtlBbxAzj0Qe0QJBsSa_c4WsTXb6IdKp_vUxPNOLC/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+050.JPG) |
What's that little bump on the Ocotillo branch? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqY1w7-r95x9flpI6QF-ZPjKnXq1hb3C9szbMzMUkSQjegdsFP0YvHZ6rpmPiuiHu4l7PZy5YHWji9-1Cq3P-f6xWjO1-YCzaYnaO1mXipkbukA8YtR0K_PXdPtK69kGuWMVt95894zHSP/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+051.JPG) |
Aha! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjM_sVp0mUExZx8852yn1RK2fCAyA62KI2tQsoL5xS_CPuJgmZqvXi49bGmhTW9rUpv6ICGtmotA6FtV3Y3oSQEBxFl3aWqvljFZhHLrn5V4XlvGXpqt3yEBmThvwvvXaLxbo9x6rE17T/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+052.JPG) |
It's a Black-throated Hummingbird |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvjss68ftVDfwXPR3N93ffxxbL7K4Qrvwxvf3_J8LPAVkZuX_TgjcZSNxYh3Tq1vATPbTfXDmFWEOPgXmLN7EkrhrKl9D6TBpnldd-xiz7950M4ZVdoxiWGnAU4LrGIRB7CvCluG-hNqS/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+062.JPG) |
This & the next: Ash-throated Flycatcher (maybe I'll comb my hair like that) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh7JlVy-CSR2xhvjK18WgGjiQ_1Y-CiCQnxign-gbFiWxThZ1dB9fWKnmi3nRlqA9HoH9tNS3WktnV5kydOnR2_jKm5LltXsOnOEw15slFp3_AmcOIBkKgFDQw3g3bj8rPItqp4tsGYik/s400/Midweek+Sojourn+066.JPG) |
This and the rest: Prickly Pear blossoms |
1 comment:
Gorgeous photos of the cactus blossoms. And I'm glad you included a photo of the whitethorn acacia, which has such a fragrant aroma this time of year.
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