After a Hot Hump Day Hike

On the upper flatland road

After crossing the Tellbrook Arroyo this morning Willow, Frio and I decided to bushwhack in an area we've explored before in order to determine what the beauty quotient was.  The desert is very beautiful now, so the off trail trek was worth it.

After drinking water in the shade of a Mesquite Tree we took a long pause out there while I tried to get a good photo of a Sphinx Moth; they were everywhere. They were also very difficult to photograph as they zipped from flower to flower.  The 10th image here is the best I could do under the circumstances.

The only saving grace for three hot hikers today was a constant breeze that provided a degree of evaporative cooling; but we were sure happy to reach the CR-V and crank up the air conditioning for the short ride home.

House Finches

Exploring an arroyo

Frio and Willow

Golden Crownbeard

Frio and Willow

This & the next 2:  views inside an arroyo

Failed to capture an image of the Sphinx Moth (upper left)

This & the next:  Barrel Cactus blossoms

Bushwhacking out