Heat rises from the reddish brown dirt, refracting the light into shimmering waves of haze. The air is stifling and nearly still, as if nature is holding its breath for a moment, waiting to exhale and breathe life into the empty terrain and conjure up a dust devil. One spins mightily in the far distance, violently whipping sand and particles into the air… air that seems to suffocate more than sustain life. The sun is high in the deep blue sky on its daily voyage from horizon to horizon, denying relief from the heat and scorched air. Only critters and fowl who can adapt to lack of water and high temperatures are able to survive the extreme conditions.