Hazy, Hot, Humid Hectares

1st 2:  Verdin in Desert Willow

We got quite a bit of rain yesterday early evening, and it was really humid this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I took our daily trek.  We saw no other nutburgers while we were out there today.

After the hike we drove over to our local Circle K to fuel up Whitey the CR-V.

Hazy view of Tortugas and the Organs

Willow in partial shade

This & next 2:  juvenile Swainson's or Red-tailed Hawk

Waiting for yesterday's rain to take effect

 

Thank You, Breeze

Mama Mourning Dove (above red dot at right) and shadow

It felt awful this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I were doing our daily hike:  hot, sunny and humid.  If not for a steady breeze we all would have broiled.

Unsurprisingly we saw no other nature enthusiasts while we were trekking today.

She's back in the nest where she had a successful brood of 2

Soaptree Yucca in the left branch arroyo

Willow and Dr. K in the left branch

Bugged by a bug

Not quite in the shade

Same Soaptree in the left branch

 

Friday's Feathered Friend

Sky over the Organs

Overcast for our hike this morning, but muy humido.  The sun never broke through during our outing, which consisted of the regular route and no additional yardage.

We saw nobody else while we were out there.

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  Allthorn in bloom

Headed toward the Organs

This & next 2:  Swainson's Hawk on lone Soaptree

Willow in the left branch arroyo

This drought-stricken yucca should be green

Prickly Pear left of the middle branch

 

Better Weather

Hill west of LDR-A

It was much less humid this morning even though it rained a bit overnight.  Also, there were plenty of clouds to block the sun for most of our outing.

We did our usual hike without adding any extra distance, the reason being that we had various tasks to do upon returning home, including giving Willow a much-needed bath.  She is so well behaved while being bathed that we don't mind doing it at all.

Saw nobody else during our trek, though it was obvious that the Basset Hounds and their people had been down LDR-A sometime ahead of us.  Willow always lets us know that they were there.

LDR-A

Westerly

Tortugas and the Organs

Headed down LDR-A arroyo

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yucca seed pods

Willow before today's bath

American Desert Gothic .5

White-winged Dove on yucca stalk

Down the middle branch arroyo

Hill west of the right branch arroyo

 

After an Early Shower

Poor shot of a distant Scott's Oriole

We had a short, but heavy shower this morning before we left on our hike.  The humidity was incredibly high while we were out there (still is), and the sun broke through on occasion in order to broil we three lunatic trekkers.

Did our usual route with no added distance; we may be crazy, but we're not stupid.  Saw no other fools braving the elements today.

Morning sky

Willow on early break

After-rain humidity haze

This & next: crossing from the left branch to the middle

Heading down the middle branch

This & next:  Willow on later break

Long view from the right branch

Prickly Pear Cactus between Hedgehog Cacti

Steep hill west of the right branch arroyo

Last 4:  adult male Pyrrhuloxia (Desert Cardinal)