After this past summer's extreme monsoon season in the area we like to camp during the winter, the desert is more green and lush (if a desert can be lush?) than we've ever experienced!!
The ocotillo are vibrant green, the saguaro healthy, vital and strong, and the brittle bush and globe mallow are blooming in bright yellow and orange waves all across the desert floor!!
We even came across some blooming datura with its creamy white and purple petals, smelling oh so sweet...and lots of birds and lizards too!!!
The enjoyment of this fine "winter" weather does validate the desire to continue our snowbird adventures 
...and definitely keep chasing birds!!
Our daily 3-mile+ hikes are so eventful,
never knowing what we may come across next!!
Lizards smell better than flowers to Wesson...uh huh :-)
And where lizards rest, owls nest!
Cinchweed elusively germinates, grows, sets seeds and dies
within the same growing season
Its seeds are dispersed and remain dormant in the ground
until the perfect growing conditions--lucky us!
Smith ISO lizards
Flowers? What flowers??
Rare, blooming Datura smelling oh so sweet--
masking its "secret" toxicity!!
There's even Sorghum(!) growing in the desert wash this year
Not native, but curious for sure
Our first campsite beyond the wash is extra private this season
But Too-Da-Loo and off to "greener" pastures (ha ha ha ha!)
Because our second campsite is extra private and has SHADE...
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...and is Doggone Awesome!!
Note that lush landscape even in the glow of the moonlight
The most hardy ocotillos grow to 15-feet high, this is
the healthiest specimens we've ever seen in this area!
Greetings from a place we hold dear...
...Even the saguaro are happy we're here!!
(clap! clap! clap!)
🎶 Celebrate Good Times Come On! 🎶
Imagination is a Wonderful Thing :-)
Gorgeous photos. Wish we were there with you.
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