A Long, Humid Hike

One way up the mountain

Becca and I did a long hike west of Tortoise Mountain this morning, sweating in the high humidity (well, at least I was sweating).  The coyote scat pictured here shows evidence of Prickly Pear fruit consumption.  Coyotes are omnivores, and one of their favorite desert fruits comes from the Prickly Pear Cactus.  Interestingly, Becca is an omnivore, too; she loves bananas, apples and nectarines.  She'll even eat canned green beans.

Heavy cloud layer over Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Observatory atop Tortugas Mountain

The foothills trail

Leaving the foothills behind

A dynamic desert scene

Coyote scat with remants of Prickly Pear Cactus fruit

Barrel Cactus buds

Prickly Pears (notice spikes on fruit)

Heading back into the foothills

In Big Bend National Park we saw javelinas munching on the spiny pads