Barrel Cactus Eye Candy

It may look kind of like autumn, but it's still summer

Was it ever hot out there this morning!  It never seemed to cool off overnight after a 100F day; 77F when we headed off.  We're destined to hit the century mark again today; that's at least 12 degrees above the average.  This may be the hottest September since 1994.

We did our regular hike in this stifling heat; even a light breeze felt like a blast from a coal furnace.  We had to stop in all the shady spots for a break from the sun; the stops allowed us to get several drinks of cool water.

The one real bonus on today's trek was the number of barrel cacti still blooming.  They were a feast for the eyes.

This & next 2:  same barrel cactus

Fishhook Barrel Cactus with reddish flowers

A different barrel

This & next:  another different barrel

Willow and Frio

This & next:  Frio and Willow

This & next:  same barrel cactus

This & next 2:  another different barrel cactus

Last 2:  and yet another different barrel