Sunday Scramble

Back side of Tortugas Mountain

A hike out of the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning, Dr. K, Becca and me.  We spent much of the time dodging mountain bikers who were having something of a convention out on the mountain.  We had a good time, nevertheless, getting in a long trek before the bad wind started.

High winds aloft make for odd clouds

What is that?

UFO over the Organ Mountains



Rocky desert



Blooming Yucca

That mountain biker's not coming this way, is he?

A Crowded Field

Yucca on the western slope of Tortugas Mountain

Many hikers, bikers, and joggers were out on Tortugas Mountain this morning.  Who can blame them for wanting to revel in the warm spring morning?  We're supposed to hit 88 F. today, with really bad winds coming tomorrow preceding a cold front.  Can't wait for the cooler temperatures, though.  When you live in a desert you don't want to rush the heat.

Soon-to-be flower-covered Ocotillos



Denizen of the desert



A particularly lush section of desert

End of the Week

Slope of the mountain

A long, relaxing hike was just what the doctor ordered this morning.  We saw nobody in the outback, but on the return leg two women and their dogs were hiking down the road from the top of Tortugas Mountain.  They were yapping so much (the dogs) that Becca and I went unnoticed.  Just as well; we like it like that.

Ocotillo and Tortugas Mountain

Lie down here?

Very comfy

Watch out for the vulture

Stuff's a-Bloomin'

Claret Cup Cactus

After this past February's bitter cold snap--the most frigid temperatures I can remember in the Chihuahuan Desert--it's wonderful to see plants beginning their yearly spring ritual:  blossoming for reproduction.  The Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus is one of the earliest and most beautiful of bloomers.  And soon the flowers of the Ocotillo will be blazing on the tips of the Buggy Whips.

Stamens sprouting

Tres hermanas

A Claret Cup flower

Buds forming on an Ocotillo (aka "Buggy Whip")

All Dog All the Time

The most photographed dog in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Purple Mountains' Majesty

The Organ Mountains of southern New Mexico

Not much to complain about on this morning's hike--beautiful, sunny skies, warm temperature, and even a missile launch from White Sands Missile Range to boot.  That's the launch in the middle of the second photo, and the missile contrail in photo three.

Missile launch over the Organs

Missile contrail

Crab Nebula-type cloud

Provision Day Jaunt

Tall Yucca shadow

Had to abbreviate the hike slightly this morning so I could go grocery shopping at Albertsons.  Fortunately, there were no other hikers out and about; they had all gone to the store afore me.  We had a pleasantly warm jaunt through the Chihuahuan Desert.

Becca doing her favorite thing:  hiking

The road back to Tortugas