Pre-Work Hike

Sacramentos

Dr. K, Willow and I did a regular hike in the forest behind the cabin this morning, climbing straight up the small mountain to the crest, followed our usual route and returned through the back 40.  Afterward I did some mowing of grass and weeds on the property, straightened up some railroad ties that had slipped out of boundary positions due to recent rains, and then, with Dr. K's help, removed logs from the rack near the front fence, fortified the structure and replaced logs.  The rack was leaning hard against the front fence bending it outward a bit.  Lots of work that's tired me out a bit.

Willow on our road

Little male house finch followed us to the high country

I think this is Slimleaf Plains-Mustard

This & next:  Willow at rest

Old juniper

Davis Mountain Mock Vervain

This & next:  Berlandier's Yellow Flax

Pines beside the cabin

What we saw flying in the mountains this morning

 

Traveling Day

Ragamuffin

Dr. K, Willow and I did half a hike this morning before returning home to finish packing for our trip to the high country where we are now.  About ten degrees cooler up here.

Ragamuffin's mom

Last 2:  Common Side-blotched Lizard

 

Muggy Monday

Southwest from LDR-A

Half a hike this morning for Dr. K, Willow and me because it was suffocatingly humid out there--not to mention the heat.  We thought it best for all involved to cut the length of the daily trek. 

Tortugas (center) and the Organ Mountains

This & next:  male Gambel's Quail

Willow relaxing in an arroyo

Faxon yucca

Last 2:  right branch arroyo wet from yesterday's rain

 

Not of a Feather

Sky north of LDR-A

We made a little detour when we descended LDR-A arroyo and began hiking toward the mountains on the east/west cross trail.  Willow often wants to head northward and cross the Tellbrook Arroyo, so that's what we did.  Her interest level in the trek waxed immediately as she encountered new scents.  The morning heat overcame us all, however, and we turned around after a short distance and retraced our route southward along LDR-A arroyo to get back to the CR-V.  We took an extra long drive after the outing before heading home.

Roadrunner on ocotillo branch

Not sure which bird this is

This & next:  Lark Buntings

What Willow wants to go as often as possible

Long dirt road heading northward

Long dirt road heading south

Cactus Wren

 

Saturday Shorty

1st 2:  Parallel Leaf Cutter Bee?

Even though it was cooler this morning Ms. Willow was not into the hike.  We cut out the second leg of our regular route, and nobody was particularly disappointed.  After the outing we took a long drive around several different neighborhoods.  Once we got home I had to drive all the way across town to Batteries Plus to buy bulbs for our backyard spotlights.  The store used to be on this side of town but moved seven months ago.  What an inconvenience.

Artsy marigolds

Dry arroyo with many animal prints

Wilsie

Last 3:  House Finch

 

Blooms

Morning mountains

Mostly overcast this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I did the entire regular route.  Lots of interesting things to see, many of which appear here.  Later, at home, I spotted a Western Tanager land in the mesquite tree outside of our front window; so disappointed not to get a decent photo of this visitor.  They only spend a few days in the Chihuahuan Desert during their migration south to Mexico.  Perhaps he'll be around a few days and I can get a better image of him.

This & next 2:  large mass of Sacred Datura

What are we looking at here?

Find the White-winged Dove

Here's the dove

Looking west

Barrel cactus

Barrel cactus in front of Desert Marigolds

 

Northward down the right branch arroyo

Nerisyrenia (white); 4 O'Clocks (purple); senna (yellow)

Willow taking a break

Disappointed not to get a good pic of this Western Tanager