Post Rain Pre-Wind

Alongside LDR-A

Dr. K had a meeting this morning so it was Willow and me on the daily trek.  We followed the regular route on yet another spectacularly humid day, the result of yesterday's rain storm.  We were able to finish the outing before the wind picked up; we're expecting gusty conditions for the rest of the afternoon.  After the hike we drove over to the PanAm Plaza to mail property tax payments to both Doña Ana County and Otero County.  Ouch!

Mourning Dove

This & next:  west side of LDR-A

Desert Marigolds and prickly pear cactus

Batwoman ears

This & next:  two versions of clouds over the Organs

Willow relaxing in the left branch arroyo

 

Showing Well

From LDR-A

Ahead of the rain we're supposed to get this afternoon the atmosphere was ripe with humidity; Dr. K and I both commented on the conditions several times.  Willow had nothing to say.  We followed our regular route this morning seeing no other nature enthusiasts while we were out there.  After the trek we went to get gas at our local Circle K, and then we took a very long drive before heading home.

Southwest

Long way to Tortugas and the Organs

This & next: Slimlobe Globeberry preparing for Thanksgiving

Barrel cactus with lots of fruit

Willow with Dr. K's boots and sticks

View from the left branch

Ridge west of the Organ Mountains

Say's Phoebe

 

Birding Saturday

Say's Phoebe

Really wet out in the desert this morning for our daily trek.  None of us minded, but there was a lot of whiskbrooming of boots when we got home.  Saw the Basset People and their hounds heading down the long dirt road when we were taking a break in the left branch arroyo.  After the trek Dr. K, Willow and I took a long drive in Whitey the CR-V.

Fog in the Mesilla Valley

This & next 2:  three Mourning Doves

Desert Marigolds now

Willow (aka Dirt Nose)

Best photo of a female Pyrrhuloxia today (pathetic)

This & next:  sparrows on prickly pear pads

View from the right branch arroyo

 

Regulation Trek

While the yellow lasts

Nice hike for Dr. K, Willow and me this morning:  cool, but a tad humid.  No breeze to speak of.  We saw no other outdoor enthusiasts while we followed our regular route.

LDR-A arroyo

Willow in wet sand

Black-throated Sparrow

Black-throated Sparrow (impressionism)

View from the middle branch arroyo

This & next:  juvenile White-crowned Sparrows

Male house finch

Female house finch

Barrel cactus and marigolds

Say's Phoebe, I think

 

Thursday Trekking

This & next:  old-timer barrel cactus leaning severely

Not as cool this morning due to humidity flowing into the area; chance of rain today, tonight and into tomorrow.  Dr. K was, as usual, a bit cold, but Willow and I didn't mind the weather.  We followed our regular route, seeing, while we ascended the left branch arroyo, the Basset People and their hounds heading northward on LDR.  When we went up the right branch arroyo and scaled the steep hill just to the west we saw several vehicles parked in the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch lot, but we didn't spot any of the occupants.

Bicolor Fanmustard (Velvety Nerisyrenia)

Soaptree Yucca

Western flank of Tortugas Mountain

Barrel cactus and the long view

Blackfoot Daisies, Ragleaf Bahia, blue Dayflower and yucca

 

Nice Day

From LDR-A arroyo

Dr. K, Willow and I had a nice hike this morning, following our regular route from start to finish.  We didn't see any other nature lovers out there today.  As far as precipitation goes our area is over 5 inches above normal; the "lush" desert shows signs of its appreciation:  flowers are still in bloom everywhere.

This & next:  Desert Globemallow

Wils!

Slimlobe Globeberry growing across prickly pear

Long, thin cloud

Amaranth

4210 hill and the flank of Tortugas Mountain

Slope of 4210 hill, Organ Mountains behind