A walk on the wild side

It started out as a nature walk, a peaceful afternoon stroll with Smooch around the fenceline to photograph the flora and fauna that is the 7MSN mid-monsoon season.

Our first stop was a patch of desert 4'oclock, a lovely, wild, purple flowering plant that allegedly blooms once a day at 4:00. This picture was taken at 5:30. This plant is as confused about daylight savings time as I am.


Next stop was a delicate little bush with pretty white flowers.
No idea what it is.

We turned the northeast corner of the ranch and headed west across the prairie, formerly known as the desert. Where did all this grass come from??

I couldn't imagine posting pictures of just plain flowers, so I insisted that Smooch pose next to them. She got a little annoyed at all my requests to sit and stay but cooperated nonetheless. This yellow plant is broom snakeweed.

Are we done yet? No. Now just enjoy the grass while we've got it.

Wildflowers of all varieties have been dormant during the draught, but give them a little rain and they'll sprout, even in the middle of the road. This road doesn't see much traffic. Actually this road doesn't see any traffic. So these pretty flowers should enjoy a long and happy life.

Wouldn't these pictures look better without Smooch's leash? Yes, they would. Except without the leash, there wouldn't be any pictures, as Smooch would be in the next county chasing a jackrabbit or an antelope, and I would be having a panic attack.

I've got enough to worry about right now...like another troublesome neighborhood gang standing between me and the house.

And the guy with the yellow ear tag? The biggest gangsta of them all? He's a bull, and nothing's gonna come between him and his girls.

See how the rumble on the road turns out tomorrow, same time, same place.