Harbinger

This morning's moon

We lucked out this morning; the high winds meteorologists predicted would start early didn't.  They're coming later today; in fact, they've already begun at about 11 a.m.

We did out usual trek, and even though it was slightly cold when we started off the sun broke through ominous clouds and warmed us all nicely.

We saw Two-White-Dogs-Lady on LDR down near the Tellbrook Arroyo, but she and her pups were the only other outdoor enthusiasts we spotted today.

Harbinger of high winds

Hill alongside LDR-A

Willow on lead

View east

Odd clouds

This & next 4:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  clouds over the mountains

Willow on break in the left branch arroyo

Lone Soaptree Yucca

 

Clouds, Some Sun

1st 3:  clouds over the desert

It was cold again for our morning hike--below freezing.  The lack of sun made it a bit more uncomfortable.  Fortunately we didn't have to deal with wind.  That comes tomorrow.

We did our regular route, seeing no other nature enthusiasts out in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.  Dr. K thought she saw Two-White-Dogs-Lady as were were leaving, but we saw her husband walking the two white standard poodles when we drove home.

Before we showered after our trek we put the finishing touches on the Schwinn elliptical we bought each other for Christmas.

Soaptree Yucca spent seed pod

LDR-A

This & next 2:  sky over the mountains

This & next:  long view of Tortugas and the Organs

This & next 2:  Organ Mountains

Wilsie the Pooh

Organs again

Odd vertical cloud formation

 

Rather Raw

1st 2:  pale moon over Picacho

The darned wind made for raw conditions for at least half of our hike this morning; it wasn't until Dr. K, Willow and I began descending the middle branch arroyo that we got a bit of relief.

Dr. K wondered whether we've been having an especially cold winter so far, and it certainly feels that way.  The omnipresent wind certainly doesn't help.

After we got home Dr. K took off to do her weekly stint at Target shopping for groceries as well as other staples.

Barrel cactus and the mountains

This & next:  Willow deciding which way to go

East Potrillo Mountains

 

Gimme Shelter

Soaptree Yucca

30F when Dr. K, Willow and I set off this morning; the wind made it feel like 24F.  We hoped that when we got onto the east/west cross trail and up into the left branch arroyo we'd be sheltered from the wind.

We still got slightly windy conditions in the left branch, but by the time we descended the middle branch and climbed up the right we were sheltered from the gusts.

Once we scaled the steep hill west of the right branch, though, we were exposed to the strong wind again.  Fortunately it was a skip and a jump to the waiting CR-V.

After we got home I went shopping at Albertsons, fulfilling my weekly grocery task.

Willow pointing

View from the middle branch arroyo

Our favorite yucca

Wils and her shadow

View from the right branch arroyo

 

GD Wind

Willow in repose

I said to Dr. K when she, Willow and I started our hike this morning, "It wouldn't feel too bad if the wind wasn't blowing."  But it was blowing, and we were freezing.

By the time we got way up into the left branch and middle branch arroyos we were sheltered from the cold gusts; later, in the right branch arroyo it felt as if the wind had stopped completely.

That thought was dispelled, however, when we climbed the steep hill west of the arroyo and encountered the cold wind all over again.  Fortunately we had only a short walk to the waiting CR-V and its sheltered warmth.

Soaptree and Torrey Yuccas

Reposing

Baby Teeth mountains

Lead on, Willow

Tortugas and the Organs

Tres cabezas

San Augustin Peak

Hedgehog

Ancient mesquite

Find the Rock Wren