“Is there a word for what we’re doing, and other people are clearly also doing?”

And I’ve had the refrain of “Don’t go chasing waterfalls…” in my head ever since!

And yes, literally chasing waterfalls in the desert was probably as ill-advised as it sounds, but we are none the worse for wear, and definitely unrepentant!

Bat Bridge

At first, I thought watching the bats emerge from under this bridge would be the highlight of our night.

But not long after we wandered under the bridge to watch the bats, it began to rain. In true monsoon style, it was a drizzle at first, and then a downpour, and suddenly the culvert under the edge of the bridge where we and another young couple were sheltering began gushing water.

It was an awesome flood of some serious power, coming from both sides of us under the bridge, and incredible to watch.

When we felt it was safe to emerge from under the bridge and return to the car, we headed downstream to the Tucson Mall, where we were able to watch the leading edge of the flood creep down the riverbed.

And down under yet another bridge, I found myself enthralled by watching these sacred datura flowers being sipped at and pollinated by enormous, very busy sphinx moths, aka hawk moths. At first I thought they were hummingbirds, apparently a common error, but as it was nearly dark, which prompted me to inquire further once we were home again.