by CKR
We're partaking of the southwestern heat wave, so I got out early this morning to water, even before the lizards were out and around. A gazillion of them live in my rockwork, and they've been very active all week, particularly in the warming-up times as the sun burns out the nighttime cool before the washed-out midday heat. There are several different types, and I'm just realizing that I picked up a new bird guide over the weekend but forgot that my reptile and amphibian guide has gone missing. 
We got a quick look at each other a couple of days ago. This morning, as I was taking some plant photos, the next one came out to warm up. 
I think she is a swift, and I'm saying "she" because she is broad enough to be an eggy female.
I'll take credit for the purple ones. They are coming up in an area where I planted native flower seeds, and they're lovely. As best as I can tell, they are members of the Phacelia family, possibly Canterbury bells. Those high-floating yellow stamens are indicative, but the book says two-foot height, and these are just a few centimeters tall. Toward the right of this little composition is one of my three little round cactuses, possibly Coryphantae or Mammilariae. 
Another from the seeds I planted, I suspect. This is from the violet/pansy family, and I've seen something like it in Estonia, but not in New Mexico. Or maybe it's a seedling from the garden next door. 
More penstemons. There are penstemons everywhere, and I hope to collect some of them in one of my flowerbeds after they bloom. I hope I'll be able to tell them from their seed stalks. It's better to let them bloom before transplanting.
Finally, a progress photo of my datura. I've seen others that are bigger, but this one will have the entire summer to grow and build up its roots for next year.