Blissful Clouds

The cloudy western face of Tortugas.

My thoughts are scattered and they're cloudy.

Road around the mountain.

Dora the Explora.

The old observatory atop Tortugas Mountain.

Desert Sunday

Nighthawk at rest.

Nighthawk in flight.

Dr. K and Becca at rest.

Packrat and Becca at rest.

Prickly Pear flower.

The Life of Riley

Talk about taking it easy, huh?

Saturday Sojourn

A beautiful, sunny morning on Tortugas's west side.
A sudden dip in the trail around the mountain.

Keep on trekking on.

Bishop's Cap.

Chihuahuan Desert scene.

Friday Frivolity

It was already hot when we started out this morning.

The Beckster was unperturbed by the weather.

The desert plants were eating up the sun.

Later, in the afternoon at the Chihuahuan Observation Center, this Jackrabbit was doing its best to avoid the sunshine.

Animals in the Desert

Here's one: Deserticus caninecus.

We ran across this snake, which I'll have to identify later.

Many people don't like snakes, but they're beautiful creatures.

Raspberries.

Horny Lizard says, "How's that for camouflage?"

Very Early Start

Becca and I got out to the mountain not long after sunrise this morning, and were able to hike in shadow for a spell.

Ocotillo flowers are in the process of wilting.

Bouquet and dog.

Bouquet.

Yucca Daze

They're blooming all over the place.

Flowers and observatory.

Pausing in the shade of a Yucca.

Soaptree Yucca and Organ Mountains.

The gangs all here.

Cold Front

It was very cool this morning on the western slope of Tortugas when this hawk flew by.

Artsy shot of the Beckster and her master's shadow.

Yucca forest.

Yuccas and the Franklin Mountains near El Paso.

Creamy white Yucca flowers and Tortugas Mountain.

Sunday Hike

The Beckster led the way this morning, as usual.

Dr. K was enjoying the beautiful day.

As was the grizzled Packrat.

We ran into this adolescent rattlesnake.

Closeup of the rattle.

Tortugas in the Morning

West side start.

Yuccas a-blooming.

Soaptree Yuccas on Tortugas's west side.

Relaxing in the early-morning shade.

One More Pic

Had to add this shot of a Mexican Bird-of-Paradise from the grounds here at COC.

Chihuahuan Observation Center

Cholla flower on the grounds of COC.

Yellow flowers of the Blind Prickly Pear Cactus.

Castor and Pollux.

Pollen anyone?

Cactus flower bouquet.