Post-Election Blues Hike

Clouds over the Organs

Needless to say, after last night's presidential election Dr. K and I were quite depressed; Willow not so much.

We did our regular hike on a fairly pleasant morning.  The sun shone all during our outing, and there was little breeze to speak of.

We got a glimpse of the Basset lady and a few of her hounds dropping over a ridge to the east, but we never saw them after that.  We did see Freddie the Black-tailed Jackrabbit just as we were about to climb the steep hill west of the right branch arroyo; he stopped to acknowledge our presence, but I couldn't get a good photo of him before he took off.

San Augustin Peak (7030 feet)

Willow, rest mode

There's a hiker and two Basset hounds in this photo

Taking it all in

Cloud over the Organs

Customs and Border Protection chopper

Prickly Pear and hedgehog

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Clouds over the Organs

Big-Time Bushwhack

This & next:  views from the Tellbrook Arroyo

Dr. K was a poll watcher this morning so it was Willow and me on a long bushwhack today.

We started along our normal route, but diverged by crossing the Tellbrook Arroyo and heading north through a series of small arroyos all the way over to First Arroyo.  We paused briefly there before heading back.

We finished up by ascending the right branch arroyo.  On the way we heard several coyotes making a racket, and then we spotted two hikers (man and woman, I think) dressed in bright orange jackets heading up LDR-A; I believe they had a dog that led the way.

We didn't see Freddie when we climbed the steep hill out of the right branch just east of the CR-V.

And that has made all the difference

From a hill west of the mountains

Willow wants to be called "Scout"

Bushwhacking in a place we haven't visited in a long time

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Willow hears coyotes

En garde

Organs

Break time

Long view of Tortugas and the Organs

Last 4: Willow and I bushwhacked all the way to 1st Arroyo

Changing Weather

Rainbow over backyard mesquite tree

Dr. K had a meeting this morning so it was Willow and me on the daily trek.  Weather conditions were cold, blustery, little sun.  After a while the wind abated and the sun made momentary--and much appreciated--appearances.

We did our usual trek, not taking as many stops due to the inclement climate.  Lighting for photos was good, though, and I captured a few noteworthy images.

Weather at start of hike

Islands in a desert ocean

Tip-tops of the Doña Ana Mountains

This & next 2:  Tortugas and the cloud-covered Organs

Down an arroyo

Willow in the arroyo

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next 2:  same scene, slightly different perspective

Willow taking a short break

Soaptree Yuccas

Had a seat

Freddie

This & next:  clouds/blue sky over steep hill

Just above the right branch arroyo

Doña Ana Mountains

Last 2:  long view of Tortugas and the Organs