Elk et al.

Willow on our driveway during morning constitutional

Not as hot this morning when Dr. K, Willow and I did our regular hike.  Earlier, during Willow's constitutional, we encountered a cow elk and her two calves.  One headed into the forest from the road and the mama and baby stood staring at us for quite a while before following the first calf.  One notable thing about today's trek was the discovery of an Allthorn bush completely loaded with insects and butterflies; it was the most bloomed out individual we've ever seen.  After the outing Dr. K and I drove down to Lowe's Signature Market in Alamogordo to do some shopping.

Cow elk

This & next 4:  calf and cow elk

Townsend's Solitaire?

This & next 2:  Painted Lady on Allthorn

 

Willow and Dr. K

Headed back to the cabin

Sunny and Hot

1st 2:  Sacramento vistas

Dr. K, Willow and I knew immediately that this morning's hike was different from yesterday's; that's because it felt a lot hotter.  For that reason we chose another route that kept us among the trees and away from open areas exposed to the blazing sun.  Unfortunately the direction I chose to go was physically more difficult, though we all came through OK.

On our property

Willow near the pumphouse

This & next:  Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail

This & next:  Allthorn in bloom

Flame Skimmer hanging on

Willow on shade break

Another Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail

 

Forest Heat

1st 2:  almost same view of the Sacramentos

Not going to kid you, it felt hot in the forest behind our mountain cabin while Dr. K, Willow and I were out for a morning trek.  We did our usual route, stopping frequently in the shadow of trees for shade and water breaks.  All in all, though, it was a good outing; we got our exercise in while seeing a few interesting birds.  It was very hazy, probably due to wildfire smoke sifting in from the north.

Juniper berries apoppin'

Wils on our driveway

New Mexico Yellow Flax

Small bear approaches Willow (actually a tree stump)

Mountain Mang

Our old spare tires

 

Low, High

1st 2:  young mockingbird

A little more than half our usual hike this morning before returning home to finish packing for our trip to the high country where we are now.  Presently 80F here at 7,000 feet in the Sacramentos; 103F down in Las Cruces.  Nice to be out of that kind of heat for a few days.

Willow and Dr. K in the left branch arroyo

A flycatcher

Ripe prickly "pears"

Haynes Canyon

From our high country property

 

Bird, Snake, Flowers

American Kestrel

Dr. K, Willow and I did our regular route in hot conditions this morning; fortunately there was a slight, persistent breeze to help with evaporative cooling.  Because we noticed different Nipple Beehive Cacti with healthy buds I decided to go back out in the early afternoon to see if I could photograph some in bloom.  I was not disappointed.

Spectaclepod

Happy Willow

A small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Sleepy Orange on Nipple Beehive Cactus flower

This & next 3:  Fishhook Barrel Cactus flowers

Largest Nipple Beehive Cactus I've seen (3'X4')

Another Nipple Beehive Cactus