In the outflows of mountain-grown thunderstorm cores, the annual southwestern North American monsoon cycle renders hot desert to cool, scuddy moistness. One of the many appeals of this regime to me, as a storm observer, is the natural clash of concept between gravelly, scrubby, mostly treeless expanse manifesting the dry climate, and wet, dark scenes like this that provide the meager yearly exceptions. Under a water-laden summer sky more suited for the Everglades of Florida than southwestern New Mexico, the desert comes alive with a cool freshness of moist, mossy, earthy aromas and bird songs, only to cycle back hot again (but more humid, thanks to the preceding rain) for a little while later that day, or much of the next.
18 NW Deming NM (1 Jul 21) Looking N
32.4784, -107.9597