I know what you’re thinking…and you’re wrong.

The desert this time of year is full of surprises and special, fleeting moments. The wildflowers are always somewhere between absolutely gorgeous or completely desiccated. It’s a constant struggle for life. A little rain and life is good. A couple of hot days and it’s over before it starts. Blue Dicks are a small purple flower that spring up alone and stand out amidst the dry, often barren ground.

And in that struggle for life, the animals are front and center…constantly. I’ve never met a rattlesnake that was happy to see me… or anyone for that matter. Anything bigger than them is an immediate threat and they’ll be the first to let you know. Transport a rattlesnake more than quarter of a mile from its nest and it dies from hunger.

And so it goes in the desert. Life is harsh, unrelenting and completely magical all at the same time.