Heelers and Humdity

Morning sky over Ocotillos

It was very hot and humid out there this morning when Willow, Frio and I set off on our daily hike.  You know it's bad when Willow starts taking shade breaks in spots she never lies down in.

There's a slight chance of severe weather this afternoon, though it seems unlikely we'll get anything but rain, if that.  We've had an incredibly poor monsoon season this year and it usually ends around September 30th.

Saw a few birds while we were out there today, but there seemed to be a dearth of critters; they probably had the good sense to stay out of the uncomfortable weather.

Frio and Willow

Long view across the desert

Heart in the right place

Fishhook Barrel Cactus flower and tiny friend

Same barrel cactus as above

"O"s

Last 2:  way up in the right branch

 

Come Monday

Yesterday's moon

63F when the trio of avid hikers set off this morning; a slight breeze made it feel even cooler, but we lost the air circulation as soon as we hit the east/west cross trail.

Before doing our regular trek we bushwhacked down to the Tellbrook Arroyo, crossed over to the north side and did a little exploring; then we retraced our steps and followed the usual route.

Didn't see anybody out and about on this first workday of the week; there weren't even many critters stirring in the desert when we were around.

This & next 3:  bushwhacking east of LDR-A arroyo

Northern branch of the Tellbrook Arroyo

The "O"s

Triple barrel cactus

Single barrel

Organ Mountains

Willow and Frio

Mouth of the right branch arroyo

 

Crowded Corner

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

It was a Sunday solo with the Heelers this morning; Dr. K is still under the weather.

When we approached the trailhead we noticed that the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch corner parking lot was loaded with vehicles.  I suspected it was a training exercise for search and rescue dogs, but we heard no barking until we were entering our CR-V at the end of our trek.

After our outing we took a very short drive to listen to Matt and Myron on the Sunday Morning show.  They were hilarious.

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Peace

Looking westward at Soaptree Yuccas

Soaptree Yucca and the mountains

Finch

Just came up this arroyo

Ocotillo losing leaves

Elegant Soaptree

Hill, Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  Frio and Willow

 

Saturday Solo with "O"s

Funny clouds

Weather conditions were pretty good when Willow, Frio and I hit the trail this morning; we did our usual hike.

There were a lot of House Finches perched on Soaptree Yucca branches eating seeds out of pods.  Some of those seeds are pretty large so I'm not sure how they swallow them.  Got a few decent images of the seed-eaters.

We saw no human nature enthusiasts out and about today, but there was a small SUV parked at the corner lot when we finished our trek.

Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  Soaptree Yucca seed eaters

Soaptree Yucca

Persistence

Willow and Frio on break

Crinkle cut cloud

Clouds over the Organ Mountains

Ocotillos in the right branch

Organ Mountains

 

Awfully Hot with Ants

1st 2:  Organ Mountains

It felt awfully hot when we started our hike this morning; I think the humidity was high, and there wasn't a hint of breeze or wind.

Followed our usual route, and the "O"s were okay until we headed up the left branch arroyo and they picked up a scent.  Both dogs got quite "pully" and I had to restrain them mightily on the leads.  At a certain point, though, they lost the aroma and they settled down.

The sky was very pretty today, and I got a few good examples; nothing to write home about, though, if I had a home to write to.

This & next:  Ocotillos and clouds

Another view of the Organs

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Organ Mountains

This & next:  Soaptree Yucca and Tortugas Mountain

Tortugas and the Organs

Frio and Willow

Pretty sky

This & next:  barrel cactus still blooming

The "O"s in right branch shadow

Right branch arroyo

Yucca and Ocotillos

This & next:  more of that pretty sky

Clouds above the Organ Mountains