Snake and Flowers

Strange cloud over the mountains

Our regular hike was made a bit interesting this morning by the discovery of a young Western Diamondback rattlesnake at one of our stopping spots in the LDR-A arroyo; it looked like the same individual we spotted two days in a row previously, this time maybe 100 yards west of where we first saw it.  This is clearly within the range of said snake, so we were pretty sure it was the same one.  We saw the Basset People and their hounds while we were out there; in fact, the hounds did a lot of barking at us until we got out of their sight.

Same rattler 100 yards west of where he was before?

Wils

Mockingbird

Cactus bee on Cane Cholla flower

Bicolored Fanmustard

Prickly Pear flower with dove egg?

Same flower as above

Cane Cholla flower trio

 

Snake-free Day

1st 4:  Prickly Pear flowers, last 2 with a cactus bee

Best part of this morning's hike for us:  not finding the young rattlesnake in the same spot it occupied the past few days; I was actually worried about its welfare.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route getting only a distant glimpse of a few other outdoor enthusiasts.  It was definitely hotter out there today; we're headed for a high of 86F.

This & next 3:  Walkingstick Cholla flowers

Willow on-lead leading the way

 

Same Time, Same Place

Soaptree Yucca putting up new flower stalk

Pleasant morning for a hike; about 50F when we started off.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route, seeing, right from the get-go, the Basset People and their hounds, who, as usual, were braying in the distance (the hounds, not the people).  Our most interesting encounter was the one with the small, young Western Diamondback who was in the exact same spot as yesterday.

Desert Marigold

Willow

This & next: same young rattler, exact same spot as yesterday

This & next 3:  prickly pear cactus blossoms

White Tackstem with range ratany

Cactus Wren on ocotillo

 

Don't Get Rattled

Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

50F at the start of our hike this morning, felt like 46F due to a 9 mph wind.  Sunny, though, so it didn't feel cold.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route noticing that the air was quite dusty from yesterday's all-day wind.  We saw several other outdoor enthusiasts and their dogs in the distance east and west of us.  Most notable thing about today's trek was the small rattlesnake (Western Diamondback) that Willow and I walked right next to; we didn't see it until Dr. K pointed the rattler out.  It was warming itself in the sun and wasn't at all bothered by our presence.  We took an extra long drive after our outing today.

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Desert Marigold

Artsy Ash-throated Flycatcher

This & next:  Willow on break

This & next:  young, very small Western Diamondback

This & next: Walkingstick Cactus (Cylindropuntia spinosior)

Walkingstick Cactus flower bud

 

Last 2:  Tree Cholla (Cylindropuntia imbricata)

Sunday Symbiosis

Little puff clouds

Nice morning for a hike:  about 50F at start.  Dr. K, Willow and I followed our regular route; we spotted a few other outdoor enthusiasts during our trek.  After our exploration we took a semi-long drive around several different neighborhoods.

Distant hikers bushwhacking through the desert

Probably a flower by afternoon

Threadleaf Groundsel and range ratany

Willow, relaxation mode

Pretty prickly pear

This & next:  prickly pear flowering

Desert Marigolds

Checkered White?

 

Mockingbird

Artsy mockingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird