Another Encounter With Beauty

Peculiar place for a Prickly Pear pear to appear

I wasn't in the mood to trek up to First or Second Arroyo this morning so the Heelers and I did some bushwhacking northeast of LDR.  We entered the Tellbrook Arroyo and then explored a series of minor arroyos we've hiked in recently.  The exploration did not disappoint.

We stopped for a shade break and a drink of water in a spot we've frequented before, and then roamed around looking for interesting subjects to photograph--at least I was searching for photo-ops.

Heelers were fairly well behaved this morning, but, as usual, Willow got locked onto a scent on the way back up LDR and pulled nearly the entire way into the upper flatland.  My right shoulder definitely paid the price.  Wish I could break her of this habit.

Some buds are nearly blossoms

Datura

This & the next:  Climbing Milkweed

This & the next:  Queen of the Climbing Milkweed

A type of clover, a phacelia?

Desert Zinnia and Hedgehog Cactus

This & the next:  Frio and Willow

Chinchweed

Desert Zinnia bouquets, Soaptree, Creosote and mountains

Soaptree Yucca and Whitethorn Acacia

This & the next:  come out, come out whoever you are

Yucca stalks and the Organ Mountains

Yucca in an arroyo

Barrel Cactus

Organ Mountains

The rest:  Barrel Cacti flowers and buds