Deer and Elk

Elk cow on our property

Early this morning we saw on our property something we'd never seen before;  elk and mule deer grazing and browsing together.  Not surprising, I guess, where their ranges overlap; and elk are, after all, members of the deer family.  A short while later Dr. K, Willow and I took a hike up the mountain behind the cabin.  We had a nice outing despite the elevated humidity; trees and passing clouds provided plenty of shade.

Mule deer and elk were browsing together

Can he see me?

Elk cow and elk ears

Elk cow

This & next 4:  young mule deer buck

 

Dr. K and Willow in the forest

Turkey Vulture

Trunk and rocks

Lizard

Artsy hummer

Black-throated hummer

Sacramentos

Sitting Willow

Sacramento Mountains

Why do they call us "mule deer"?

Resting Willow

Splintered tree

Near the cabin

Change in Elevation

Nest in the Desert Willow in our backyard

Dr. K, Willow and I did our usual hike in the lower desert this morning before returning home to finish packing for a trip to the high country where we are now.  Best thing about being up here:  it's cooler, but not breathtakingly cooler.

This & next:  small bird emerging from nest

 

This & next 2:  Nipple Beehive Cactus under mesquite tree

Willow leading the way

Dayflower

Black-throated Sparrow

Organ Mountains and environs looking quite green

Hawk in Tree

1st 5: after much agonizing I'm going with Cooper's Hawk

Having just turned right off our street I saw a hawk fly up into a neighbor's tree; I was able to get some fairly decent photos of the raptor.  Pretty sure it's a Cooper's Hawk.  Finished our drive out to the trailhead and did our regular route.  We heard somebody on a dirt bike while we were out there, but we saw no one in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.  The weather was bearable:  hot and humid, but with a somewhat consistent breeze.

Twin-spotted Spiny Lizard

Looking up the arroyo we just came down

Willow hearing something

Down the middle branch arroyo

Looking north at Tortugas Mountain from the right branch

 

Already Hot

Soaptree Yucca and ocotillo

Already hot and very humid when Dr. K, Willow and I set off on our morning trek; buggy, too.  Very little wind until the last section of the hike south up the right branch arroyo.  After we got home I left for my weekly shopping stint at Albertsons.  A little while ago Dr. K left for her weekly shopping stint at Target.  We've got it down to a science.  I always appreciate a waiver, though.  :)

Willow on shade break

This & next:  cactus wren on ocotillo branch

Ratany and prickly pear

Desert view

 

Not Brutal, but...

How many doves?

It wasn't unbearable for Dr. K, Willow and I this morning, but it was damned close:  hot, sunny, humid, nary a breeze.  We followed our usual route, nonetheless, seeing no other lunatic nature lovers while we trudged through our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Twin-leaf Senna

Dr. K and Wils

Yucca

Willow in shade

Whitethorn Acacia and hedgehog cactus

Ocotillo toddlers