Like an Oven

Yellow Bird of Paradise (Erythrostemon gilliesii)

It was near brutal out there this morning:  81F, full sun and nothing but a hot wind for starts.  And then the wind stopped.  I decided to shorten the hike significantly because it was obvious Becca wasn't enjoying herself; neither was I.

We crossed paths with a few high-school-aged runners on Geothermal Road, and we saw several hikers headed toward the mountaintop.  And when we were on the final leg of our trek we ran into our buddy Jimmy, who stopped to talk.

Conditions felt so bad, though, we didn't chat for long.  Several times Becca stood up from the shady spot she had chosen to lie in to let us know she was ready to get the heck out of there.  Based on her need both the J-Man and I felt it was time to part company.

Prickly Pear and Ocotillos

Variegated Fritillary

Becca Fritillary

Ocotillos

Becca and Ocotillos

This and the next 2:  same Variegated Fritillary

Baker's Dozen

This and the next 2:  New Mexican standoff

Cottontail eating a Desert Willow flower