This is the same barrel cactus as the one shown here, with a new gourd vine clambering all over it (and all over the ground around). The bird call I heard yesterday was an Abert’s Towhee. I heard it at the same location this morning, and then later spotted a pair on the west side of the wash coming back, and confirmed the call when I came home. I’m also hearing thrashers, and seeing lots of Cactus Wrens. A Gila Woodpecker had a bright orange piece of fruit in his mouth. It is clear and beginning to cool down and dry out ever so slightly.

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