July 9, 2021
Another 0.3″ of rain fell in an intense half-hour about 2am on the 7th. Another one-half inch is expected early next week.
I have been watching the progress of the Agave plants along Box Canyon Road. Last week they had not opened their flowers. Yesterday morning I tried again and note that the Agave flowers are open for business! Within a few minutes the plant at the Five-striped Sparrow stakeout had attracted Lucifer, Black-chinned, and Broad-billed hummingbirds. The Lucifer is the one that everyone wants to see.
It was amazing how much the desert had changed in just a few days. The ocotillos sprouted plump new leaves. Some of the oaks are beginning to show signs of life.
