The Window is Open

 There is a short period of time during the year in which to do the up and over route, in the evening, and find the basin still bathed in sunshine. It does not last long, and by the time I head back out, perhaps ten minutes later, the shadow of Potato Mountain has slid all the way across and has begun to rapidly climb the dry slopes on the other side. Nor does the seasonal window stay open for long - two months, with an additional two weeks at best, maybe. And then the window closes again. 

hopping down the Buckwheat Trail

if you watch closely you can see the shadow of Potato Mountain sneaking across the basin

the little Palo Verde trees are in bloom