If It's Sunday It's OMDPNM

All red flowers are Scarlet or Claret Cup Cacti

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did our now normal Sunday morning trek in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, starting from the westernmost entrance sign and hiking the long trail east nearly to the intersection with the Sierra Vista Trail (Norte).  We cut the hike a bit short because of the heat.

We encountered a few other hikers and numerous groups of mountain bikers today.  The good thing about these encounters is that both Heelers are getting much more comfortable with these meetings, standing off the trail and waiting patiently until the bikers have passed.  Frio did bark at one hiker, a guy who was engaged in an overly loud conversation with somebody on the other end of his earbud cellphone.  I commended Frio for his actions.

As we drove back home after our trek we marveled at the number of vehicles parked at the the Monte Vista and Sunset Area of Tortugas Mountain, clearly more cars, trucks and SUVs than we'd ever see out there before.  This coronavirus crisis has more people out hiking than ever.

This and the next:  Blackfoot Daisies

The trail east

Heelers and Dr. K

Reproduction

Little-leaf and Three-leaf Sumac are as green as I've ever seen

This and the next:  Desert Dandelion

This and the next 2:  California Poppies

Papa Gambel's Quail and peepers

Willow on the window seat

Spiny Lizard