Top of the Week Trek

Willow with Dr. K's feet

Nothing special about the hike today except it felt slightly cold out there this morning.  Wind added to the chill.

We followed our usual route, seeing no humans nor canines while we trekked inside arroyos.  We did see one jackrabbit (perhaps Freddie) and one desert cottontail.

Made a lot of stops along the way because that's Willow's method of staying out there as long as possible.

Dry Soaptree Yucca

Very dry three-headed Soaptree

West across the Rio Grande

Looking astute

A section of Tortugas Mountain

Twins

Willow at rest in the right branch arroyo

This & next 2:  right branch arroyo

Just about to exit the right branch arroyo

Prickly Pear pad with hole

Sunday Shuffle

Southwest of Tortugas

It rained quite a bit last night, and the desert was still wet this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I set off on our daily hike.

We followed the regular route, seeing no one along the way even though several vehicles were parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch corner lot.

After the trek we took a long drive, listening to the New England Patriots/Jacksonville Jaguars football game broadcast from Wembley Stadium in England.

Mesquite leaves

Three of us

This & next:  barrel cactus with plentiful fruit

Wils and her shadow

Fruit basket

Hill between left and right arroyos

To the northwest

Little barrel

Rain Today

Picacho in sunlight

It was raining when we drove out to the trailhead this morning, but it stopped by the time we got there.  When we started down LDR-A we saw the Basset people and their hounds way ahead of us.  Shortly afterward we saw a runner heading south on LDR.  That was it for humans and canines.

We did our usual route, fortunately not getting spit upon once by the cloudy sky.  We did see a beautiful rainbow that lasted for the duration of our trek.  It was even evident long after we got home.

It has rained off and on so far today, and it looks as if it might do so again later.

Morning moon, a few days past full

Long shadows

Down LDR-A

Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yucca

This & next:  little barrel with big fishhooks

Soaptree Yucca southwest of Tortugas Mountain

Tall Soaptree Yucca

This & next 5:  persistent rainbow we saw this morning

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Hill west of the Organs

Tortugas and the Organs again

Looking west at interesting clouds

Your truly and Dr. K (Willow out of view)

Before the Doc

1st 2: just past full morning moon

I had a doctor's appointment at 9:50 this morning, so Willow and I took a very early hike.  Dr. K stayed behind because she wasn't feeling top notch, perhaps due to the vaccinations we got yesterday:  Covid 19 booster and flu.

It had rained overnight so the desert floor was somewhat wet; also it felt a bit chilly out there even though the wind was nonexistent.  When we were driving up Tellbrook I spotted the Basset people with their hounds, but by the time we got out of the CR-V we were well ahead of them.  Both Willow and I saw them hiking down LDR-A and then bushwhacking into the desert to the west afterward.

Despite hurrying through out normal trek today I was able to take some decent photos.

Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  early light in the desert

Sun breaking over hill

Willow at rest

This & next 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

Western flank of Tortugas Mountain

Early morning clouds

Willow at rest again

Prickly Pear, Soaptree Yucca and Torrey Yucca

Black-throated Sparrow on yucca stalk

Willow moving out