Forest Trek Numero Dos

American Crow or raven?

Another forest trek for Dr. K, Willow and me.  The weather was pretty good, but we're still getting smoke from the Seven Springs Fire near Nogal--about fifteen miles from us.  Somebody on Facebook reported that the blaze is moving in the direction of Cloudcroft.  350 acres burned so far with 0% containment.

Smoky Haynes Canyon

There's a deer in this photo replete with ears

This & next 2:  Ash-throated Flycatcher

Two Rainbow Hedgehog Cacti

Willow at rest

Wils leading the way

Willow and Dr. K

 

View from the back 40

Hedgehog Cactus

Tuesday Forest Trek

Sacramento Mountains

It felt pretty hot when Dr. K, Willow and I started our mountain trek this morning, but as soon as we got into the forest the shady spots gave us much relief; add to that a gentle wind and it felt quite pleasant to be out and about.  By far the most interesting sighting on today's hike was the Flame Skimmer dragonfly we spotted; I was able to get a few really good images of the beautiful creature.

This & next:  Willow on our road

This & next:  Flame Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata)

Willow resting in the forest

Mountain vista

This & next:  Dr. K slaloming down the mountain

Big tree with sun

Healthy Allthorn in the forest

 

This & next:  favorite mountain hedgehog cactus

Trees

Third in a Row

Take a guess

Just Willow and me out there on another very bad air day; I guess we must be getting smoke from the wildfires in the Gila.  I've been coughing a bit and feeling some burning in my throat from the pollution.  We went and got gas in the CR-V after the trek.

This & next 2:  male Ladder-backed Woodpecker

This & next:  two male Ladder-backed Woodpeckers

I've never seen two males together

Artsy Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Willow in the left branch arroyo

 

Another Bad Air Day

Ancient Soaptree Yucca in the left branch arroyo

Another bad air day in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert this morning.  That's all there is to say.

Willow in ancient Soaptree Yucca shade

Last 2:  Desert Willow flowers

 

Bad Air Plus

Desert Willow (front) and mesquite tree

The air was so bad out there this morning that Dr. K, Willow and I pretty much hurried through the daily trek.  The culprit seemed to be smoke, of which we got a strong whiff when we were headed up the right branch arroyo and a cool gust of wind delivered the pungent odor straight into our nasal passages.  I took no photos due to the unpleasant conditions, but was able to snap a few pics at home.

Golden Barrel (the one Caroline gave us)

White-winged Dove on shank's mare

This & next:  male Verdin in Desert Willow

If I were a Carpenter Bee (?)

 

More Heat, Little Rain

1st 2:  Western Kingbird

It felt pretty hot out there this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I were doing our daily trek.  We followed our regular route taking many shade and water breaks thanks to Willow's desires, although, at times, we have to talk her into drinking a bit of H2O.  We saw the Pickup Truck Lady's truck on Tellbrook when we were driving to the trailhead, but we never spotted her and her dog.  Nobody else seemed to be out exploring our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Yucca fruit

This & next 2:  Prickly Pear flowers just getting started

This & next:  Willow in yucca shadow

Last 2:  small male Ladder-backed Woodpecker