The soil is dry with blowing dust occuring during thunderstorm wind. The above normal heat is causing high evaporation, dryness, and high energy use.  Field flowers are few - only some small yellow flowers and only a few sunflowers; two years ago sunflowers were everywhere. There are no crickets this year. The Sandia Mountains are dry and dusty with little plant and grass growth. Water flow in the Rio Grande River in Albuquerque is near zero. Our water supply is adequate but with mandatory watering restrictions in place.