Trailhead Delay

Hedgehog cactus

As Dr. K, Willow and I were driving to the trailhead this morning we spotted the Basset People +1 and their hounds hiking east on the upper flatland road approaching the starting point.  Since we would have all converged at the junction at the same time we decided to take a short ride on the dirt road south of Tellshore Road to give them enough of a head start to clear the area for us.  When we drove to the trailhead a brief while later they were stopped a short distance ahead forcing us to descend the steep hill down to the right branch arroyo and begin our hike from there.  It was a good day for photos due to obliging birds that posed for us along the way.  We took a short drive after the outing before heading home.

In the right branch arroyo

Prickly pear heart

Prickly pear cup

This & next:  same cactus wren

Black-throated Sparrow

Curve-billed Thrasher

Willow in the right branch

In the right branch arroyo (phone pic)