Friends, Ocotillos, and Two Sunsets

Tuesday, February 12, 2020

We have had two wonderful days parked out here off of Ogilby Road. Just enjoying the days unfold under blue skies filled with sunshine bringing a warmth to the day.  Then watching the sun as it sets in the west turn the day into night bringing a soft quietness to the end of the day.

I decided to take a walk and check out the Ocotillos
in out neighborhood. All special in their own way.

Their name in Spanish means "little torch". Ocotillos are
named after the cluster of fiery red flowers at the end of
their stems that are found there from about March to June.

 On average they live about 60 years and can grow up to 20 feet. 
Even in death they are beautiful and have wicked looking thorns.

I had taken a walk to see the Ocotillos while waiting for
friends, Joanne and Bob to arrive. I did not realize just how
far I had wondered until I could see their white truck in the 
distance. As I walked up I could see them all saying hello.

Joanne and I had been in touch earlier in the day and we were thrilled when they decided to take a ride out and find us. We met this wonderful couple in December and thoroughly enjoy spending time with them. It was such a great way to spend the afternoon sitting out in the sunshine catching up and chatting about this and that.  Even Higgins seemed to enjoy his time out here. They were able to give him the freedom to roam within sight. Always nice for a dog not to have to be on a leach for a bit. The afternoon just flew by, something that always seems to happen when you are enjoying the company you are with.  We made plans to meet for a little browsing/shopping and lunch in Mexico so that is something we are looking forward to.

I even thought about taking a picture while they were still here.
Left to right: Joanne, Tom, Bob, and myself.
Higgins in the middle.

After they left I decided to continue  checking out 
 the Ocotillos around us. 

They may have thorns and the ability to survive in the desert,
but they are not a cactus. They are part of the Fourquieria
Family, which consists of 11 species of  desert plants.

The Ocotillo also provides a dependable food source for
hummingbirds. The tube-like shape of the ocotillo flowers
makes it easier for the hummingbird to get nectar with its
beak, in turn the hummingbird helps pollinate the flower.

The Ocotillo is my favorite desert plant and in the article online where I found the above information It described it as one of the tallest weirdest plants in the desert that does not even know its a shrub. What looks like a bunch of sticks standing straight toward the sky is actually a collection of long spiny stems that leaf during times of rain and flower spectacularly in the springtime.

Finally remembered to put the Hummingbird feeder
 I found at the Dollar Tree out.

We have two Hummingbirds competing for the feeder.
These may be pictures of each of them or both of the same one.

Two more Ocotillos in the neighborhood with the Cargo
Muchacho Mountains in the background.

Tonight's Sunset

The Stinger "B"  in the fading light.

Watching the sun set on what was a very good day.

Wednesday, February 13, 2020

Another day filled with with blue skies and sun shine. Another day filled with relaxing quiet.

Shadows on the Cargo Muchacho Mountains as the sun
starts its decent in the West.

Looking towards the Northwest

and the East as the sun sets.

The sun's light was beautiful on this cloud as it set tonight.

A train going by with the Imperial Sand Dunes in the
background. In the morning the dunes are a golden brown
in the evening light,, from where we are, they take on
different shades of grey.

There is dust in the distance.

Another beautiful sunset to end our day.

While watching the sunset I came upon this cactus.
It looked like a type of cholla to me.

A small grey Ocotillo in the sunset.

Sad to see but part of the circle of life.

The sun has left our sight for today.

The Hummingbirds were back 

this evening.

Good night from our home to yours.

Fifty Years and His Record
is intact. Thank you, Tom!

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.