Few Pics Today

1st 2:  views toward Picacho from LDR-A

Dr. K, Willow and I got a fairly early start on a very humid morning.  It felt a bit cool for the mid-60s even though there wasn't much of a breeze.  We did our usual trek seeing no one else out and about in this section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Hill west of LDR-A

Soaptree Yuccas

Tortugas and the Organs

Artsy house finches

Prickly Pear cactus

Willow in the right branch arroyo

Last 2:  desert skies

 

Over the Hump

Sky at start

Rained overnight.  The wind was strong this morning.  Looked very much like it could rain again.  Dr. K, Willow and I enjoyed the hike nonetheless.  Did the regular route.  Saw the Basset people in the distance.  Heard other dogs barking out there somewhere.  Ended the trek feeling a few sprinkles on our skin.

Ocotillo and the mountains

This & next:  looked like it would rain again

Monster yucca

Willow and Dr. K

Prickly Pear

Organs

Tortugas and the Organs

 

She's Back

Just getting started

After three days under the weather Dr. K joined Willow and me on the morning hike.  We did our regular route seeing both the Basset people and their hounds and Two-White-Dogs-Lady and her dogs.  After the trek we returned home and I left for Albertsons to do my weekly shopping stint.

Prickly Pear cactus, Soaptree Yuccas and ocotillos

Southwest of Tortugas Mountain

Barrel cactus with a mutation at top

This & next 2:  same ocotillos, different perspective

Morning sky

Almost a good pic of an American Kestrel

This & next 4:  American Kestrel

 

Picacho and environs

Willow in an arroyo

Bee or hoverfly on flower remnant

Monday Solo

View from the trailhead at early start

Just Willow and me on the hike this morning; we did our regular route.  The weather was quite pleasant.  We saw, during the trek, the Basset people in the desert far west of us and the Pickup-Truck-Lady and her dog on the ridge far east of us.  Nobody else appeared to be out there.

Hill just east of LDR-A

Stately Soaptree and the mountains

Soaptree Yuccas and ocotillo

Ancient Soaptree Yucca

Wils on lead

Prickly Pear cactus, Faxon Yucca and ocotillos

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Right branch arroyo

The long view

 

Altered Track Sunday

At the trailhead

Because there were several vehicles parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch lot when Willow and I arrived at the trailhead we decided to alter our route; it made sense later when we heard dogs barking to the east.  My guess is that it was a search and rescue exercise, but no way to be sure.  We hiked north down LDR-A arroyo, crossed the Tellbrook and then explored side arroyos where we've often hiked before.  Both of us enjoyed the outing very much.

The long view of Tortugas and the Organs

Robledo Mountains and Doña Ana Mountains on the horizon

Willow leading the way

Dayflowers again

Large ocotillo to the southwest

Tellbrook Arroyo

Side arroyo

Sacred Datura

Willow on break

 

Bushwhacking toward Tortugas and the Organs

Dog and man

Variegated Meadowhawk

Willow having a rest in the Tellbrook Arroyo