Here we are at the start of ou day. Little did we know what was to come!
Anza Borrego Palm Trail
A small herd of Peninsular Bighorn Sheep were visible on and off all during our hike.
I find it hard to believe that the collar on this guy is very comfortable. It didn't seem to slow him down at all.
The scenery was majestic and "stark." And while we were about a week to late, the flowers were still colorful.
As you can see, some of these flowers have succumed to the heat. Others are still "okay."
It was about 98 degrees, and very little shade to be found.
This amphetheater was located on the "easy" part of the trail.
Psorothamnus schottii was visible in may places. Such a vivid blue color.
The sun was relentless (and eventually "got" Penny) and the sky a clear, clean blue.
I believe this is a White Sage plant. Apparently, it is quite abundant in California.
The trail we are climbing is getting more difficult—but we trek on.
As I mentioned, dramatic landscape. I stop from time-to-time to take a shot of the view behind me.
The rock formations are very interesting; even in this harsh light.
Diplacus bigelovii (common name of Bigelow's monkeyflower) was still in full bloom in several spots along our trail.
We went through a "storm" of Pallid-winged grasshoppers. They seemed to be everywhere, but then disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
Even the cactus plants were showing off their spring buds.
And, not to be out-done, the Fouquieria formosa plants were also still in bloom.
A vast valley vista.
We have a friend who likes to call these Aplite dikes in granite "Love Rocks." He collects them along the Californica shores. This one is a bit too big to "collect"!
The focus here is on the shadows projected on the rock surface. I was fascinated with how sharp the shadow is in the mid-day sun.
Dave waiting for the first-responders to show up.
Air Rescue from Palm Canyon in Anza Borrego State Park.
After suffering from heat exhaustion, Penny is airlifted out of Palm Canyon Trail in the Anza Borrego State Park in CA.
