The river is drying up

I had planned on taking two groups of dogs down to the river, this weekend but Saturday morning, while photographing the doves, something either stung me or bit me hard on my left foot arch. The pain was intense and immediate.

 At first I thought it was a thorn that had pierced my slider, but I never saw the source of the pain. The pain lingered intensely for two hours. While I could walk, the constant burning sensation never relented. 

I lay down for a while with my left leg elevated, rubbed baking soda paste on my left foot. After two hours of no increase in pain or severity, I relaxed more. However, a walk down to the river was out of the question. I stayed home in case I had a delayed allergic reaction. The burning sensation lasted  for nine hours.  

Today the pain is replaced by constant itchiness. I still can't see the source of a bite or sting, but the affected area is red but there is no swelling. 

I looked out the west window to see the doves.  A dead desert hare lay near the e-bike.  What had killed it?  There were no bite marks on the young animal.

 A red flag warning was out for today starting at 11am for 24 hours. I took Gretel and Zana to the river at 7am. It had been two weeks since I was at our usual site. It was a pleasant 64F and winds were 13mph. 

The recent high, dry temperatures is impacting the water level. The river is now drying up and is no longer flowing.

 At the two-mile mark I could see the entire river floor going north, so we walked the dry wash for another half mile until we reached the next water source. I don't think I was ever up this way. The river runs parallel in two separate flows, covered by cottonwoods. 

 

 

Saw my first yellow sinnias for the year!

 I hope to take the boys down this way next weekend. I would have walked longer, but I wanted to be home safely before the winds arrived. We had hiked 5.6 miles and I enjoyed the exploration. 

 I was back home by 9:30am, I watered the plants along the fenceline.

 And sure enough, by 11am the winds increased. I was concerned for the doves. I checked on the doves and they were secure in their pot. The towel around the shelf blew loose and I had to tighted that. At least I knew the flimsy nest wouldn't blow away. Both chicks are now opening their beaks and raising their wings when I near them, mimicking their mom, but not vocalizing yet.