Friday Heat

First 5:  Claret Cup Cactus

It was 65F when we started off this morning, about 15 degrees warmer than yesterday's start.  Bone dry and hot in the Chihuahuan Desert these days.

Willow, Frio and I trekked up to First Arroyo on our outbound leg, stopped briefly for a respite in said arroyo, and then headed back the way we came.

We didn't see anybody else in our section of desert today, and the only jackrabbit I saw was at such a distance the Heelers didn't even see it.

Just came back inside from playing with the dogs in the backyard; playing with Frio, really, who loves nothing better than to have me throw a ball repeatedly for him to catch and bring back.  Wise Willow spends her time alternately lying in the sun and the shade.

Heelers

Mormon Tea (Ephedra nevadensis) starting to flower

This and the next:  roller coaster road

Extended family

Frio and Willow in First Arroyo

This and the next:  First Arroyo

Frio and Willow

Soaptree Yucca

Torrey Yucca

 

Every Decade or So

Mesquite starting to leaf out

Mesquite at the side of LDR

Frio

Frio

Willow

Soaptree Yucca

LDR

Break on the way back up LDR

Every once in a great while I do it:  forget to take my camera with me.  I realized when I stepped out of the CR-V in the upper flatland that this was one of those occasions.  So I did the best I could with the camera on my Samsung Galazy S10+.  They're okay, but not what I'm used to working with.

Chillin' Out

From the bottom of LDR-A

It was 52F this morning when we set off, and the wind in the upper flatland actually made it feel a bit chilly as we hiked down LDR-A to the lower desert.  The sun shone brightly, though, and the wind diminished as we trekked across the Tellbrook Arroyo.

We bushwhacked into the desert from LDR and hiked the small trail westward until it intersected with the new arroyo.  We followed the arroyo north until we reached LDR just below First Arroyo.

From there we headed south along LDR, encountering both the man and woman joggers/hikers midway to the Tellbrook Arroyo.  We exchanged salutations while heading in opposite directions.  Before long we were back in the upper flatland where we left the CR-V.  A nice morning outing, and Frio and Willow were very well behaved once again.

This and the next:  Prickly Pear

Frio and Willow in the new arroyo

Do not touch exhibits

This and the next 4:  new arroyo

This and the next 2:  Black-chinned Hummingbird

Barrel Cactus

 

Another Good Hike

What is this little yucca figure doing--washing clothes?

The Heelers and I had a very good outing this morning, up to First Arroyo and back without seeing any other hikers, joggers or dog walkers.  We saw a few critters--mainly birds--but none that garnered the dogs' attention.

Both Willow and Frio were excellently behaved during our exploration, neither pulling excessively on their leads.  That always makes for a very pleasant trek.

Good ride home, too, with no barking at dogs being walked by their humans because we didn't see any.

Medivac

This and the next 2:  Willow and Frio

This and the next:  Soaptree Yucca in First Arroyo

Looking west in First Arroyo

West of Tortugas Mountain in First Arroyo

Backlit Soaptree Yucca

Computer-enhanced image of Tortugas and the Organs

The rest:  computer-enhanced images of the desert