In the Desert Again

Getting started

It was somewhat cold for our morning hike today; filtered sunlight and a stiff breeze made conditions slightly unpleasant.  In fact, it felt chillier in the desert than it was for any of our mountain hikes.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route seeing no other nature enthusiasts while we were out there.  We took a long drive after the trek.

This & next:  long view of the mountains

This & next:  little barrel with tall fruit

What's with the attitude?

Who eats barrel cactus fruit?  Javelinas, mule deer, packrats,

squirrels, jackrabbits, curve-billed thrashers, etc.

Tortugas Mountain straight ahead

 

Down Again

Forest hike this morning.  Back to the cabin to pack for the drive back down the mountain to the lower desert where we are now.

 

Black Friday Hike

Has the war begun?

Dr. K, Willow and I did our regular forest hike behind the cabin this morning; the weather was pleasant:  53F at start, lots of sunshine with a slight breeze.  After we got back Dr. K and I headed down the mountain to Lowe's Signature Market to pick up some supplies.  Black Friday in the early morning didn't seem too hectic in Alamogordo.

This & next:  Willow in the cabin

Wild cloud

Willow at rest on the trail

View from the cabin

Looking across at Haynes Canyon

This & next:  Willow and Dr. K

Long view to Haynes Canyon

 

Mountain T-day

1st 2:  Sacramento vistas

Low 40s when Dr. K, Willow and I headed for the forest behind the cabin on our morning hike, but pleasant; little wind and bright sunshine.  A few high clouds and contrails, the latter somewhat rare in the sky over this area.  Didn't really see any birds out there today, which was somewhat disappointing.

Willow and Dr. K ascending

Wils

This & next:  White Sands NP

Willow-eye view

Autumn leaves

White Sands NP again

 

Forest Fun

Mule deer doe on our property

Temperature was in the high 40s when Dr. K, Willow and I began our morning trek into the forest behind the cabin.  It was a little breezy at first, but that didn't last long.  Bright sunshine kept us quite warm.  Good day for photographing critters.  Willow, who was very well behaved during the outing, enjoyed herself immensely.

Does my butt look big?

Haynes Canyon at sunrise

Sacramento Mountains

Willow on the morning hike

Mountain woman descending

This & next:  Western Bluebird male

This & next:  Western Bluebird female

 

This & next: Northern Flicker who's been pecking at our house