It’s gradually getting hotter. Although it’s very dry, so I’m not drenched in sweat, my body feels sticky because the sweat dries quickly. To avoid dehydration, I’m carrying about 1200 mL of water in two bottles. If half of it is gone by the halfway point, I’ll need to be cautious.
The sun is getting higher, and the landscape is becoming less interesting for photography. My concentration is waning due to the heat, so I walk on quietly.Arizona is home to many lizards. This lizard, which seems to be a type of Fence Lizard, has a dull back but sports a stylish metallic blue on its throat and sides. Even when comparing photos of the same species, many lizards show significant individual variation, making identification very challenging for me.The trail ascends to higher ground.Since this trip was focused on trekking, I only brought a 300mm zoom lens for birds. It was my first time seeing and photographing a Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay. It’s as blue as a Steller’s Jay, but the cloudy sky might have dulled its color.I took a break at the highest point of the trail.As I descended the trail again, I noticed a cave called Cave Spur on the left side, opening in a cliff face. I initially planned to visit it, but I realized that I would have to climb back up quite a bit at the fork, so I decided against it.Occasionally, I could see blooming cacti. They produce gorgeous flowers.A viewpoint called Devil’s Kitchen.
I started at 7 a.m. and returned to the parking lot in about four hours. If you don’t take many photos, you could probably finish a bit faster. I’m tired, but there’s still time, so I’ll head to the next location.
