Yearn to Wander

Desert Four O'clocks

After a couple dozen hikes in the area, it still seems each one is different. The only constant is the weather, which has been sunny, dry, and warm (low 80sF/high 20sC) every day. Time of year, time of day, and water all contribute to the changes in the plants, animals, and geology that make the hikes so interesting.

As the desert here warms, winter resident birds migrate to their breeding grounds, and new birds migrate here from the desert to the south as it warms.

No rain has fallen since we arrived, but new wildflowers bloom daily. The Desert Four O'clock caught my attention on a late-day hike. Its blooms were closed the first time I passed it, but an hour later and closer to sunset, it was in full bloom. With that discovery, more active birds, and the richer colours of the red rocks, the late afternoon has become my favorite time to hike here. Plus it's cooler!

Here are a few pictures from several hikes, mostly in the Dry Creek Road north of Thunder Mountain, northwest of Sedona. More may come. Also, I am working on a three entries, so stay tuned. They are about Nature's Patterns, Tree Bark, and Trail Etiquette.