Three Sans One

1st 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

It was Willow and me on the trail in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert this morning.  As soon as we got out of the CR-V we spotted the Bassets and their people headed down LDR-A just in front of us; no danger of catching them, but Willow was on dog scent like white on rice.  We saw no one else during the trek.  After we got home Ms. Willow got a bath from Dr. K and me; she didn't appreciate it, nor did we.

The light fell like snow across Picacho

Tortugas Mountain Observatory

Northwest part of the city

Barrel cactus still blooming

Willow in repose

Long way to Tortugas

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

 

This & next:  Cooper's Hawk

The rest:  Tortugas and the Organs

More Breeze Please

Double barrel cactus

It rained last night so the humidity was high this morning; it felt muggy rather than hot.  The little breeze that stirred the air for a while disappeared completely during the second half of our daily hike.  Both Dr. K and I noticed the increased number of ants out and about so we were extra careful about stopping with Willow for fear she'd get bitten.  After the trek we took a ride around an area we've driven through plenty of times in the past.

Tortugas and the Organs

Doña Ana Mountains on the horizon

Tortugas and the Organs again

Southwest sky

Willow ready to go

Ocotillos

Distant hiker

Last 2:  same barrel cactus

 

No Breeze, Breeze

Alongside LDR-A

There was no air movement for seven-eighths of our hike this morning; only when we climbed the steep hill west of the right branch arroyo did we feel a strong breeze.  Sure could have used that breeze during a fairly hot trek today.  Nevertheless, Dr. K, Willow and I enjoyed our daily outing as we followed our regular route through this section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Ocotillos, yuccas and the flank of Tortugas

Partial rainbow to the southwest

Willow, Dr. K, yucca

Southwest of Tortugas Mountain

Rainbow with aurora characteristics

Looking east to the Organs

View from the right branch arroyo

 

The Usual

Palo Verde beetle

Dr. K, Willow and I did our usual hike this morning; we saw no other nature enthusiasts while we were out there.  It felt pretty hot while we were trekking, and it seems like a bit of humidity has found its way into the atmosphere.  I believe the chance of rain gets more likely in coming days.

Yucca fireworks

Black-throated Sparrow

At the crossover from left to middle branch arroyo

Another small arroyo

Willow at home in the desert

Northward down the right branch

Northern Mockingbird on ocotillo branch

 

Wednesday Waffling

Looks like autumn has arrived

We had a good hike this morning; although it felt rather warm the temperature wasn't too high.  We're headed for 91F this afternoon.  We followed our regular route seeing no one else out and about in this section of desert.  Dr. K, Willow and I were happy to get our daily exercise in while appreciating the stark beauty of our arid environment.

Distant male house finch

Willow the sand potato

This & next 3:  supermodel cactus wren

This & next:  barrel cactus

Willow and Dr. K in the middle branch arroyo