Tuesday Trio

1st 2:  Western Wood-Pewee I think

Dr. K, Willow and I did half a hike this morning due to other obligations; Dr. K had to meet with a League of Women Voters member and I had to go shopping.  The timing of Dr. K's meeting determined how long we could spend in the desert today.  No worries, though.  We got to see the things necessary for a successful outing, including what may well have been a Western Wood-Pewee, a bird I've never photographed before.

Still flowering

Soaptree Yuccas

Still green

Last 2:  Amaranth

 

Moon Day Solo with Wils

A different long view of Tortugas and the Organs

Dr. K had a meeting this morning so it was Willow and me on the daily trek.  We pretty much followed the same route as yesterday, exploring the side arroyos north of the Tellbrook that we like so much.  Heard and saw a lot of birds, but I couldn't get a decent photo of any.  Saw no other mammals, but heard a coyote wailing when we first started out.

Desert Marigolds southwest of Tortugas Mountain

Big ocotillo still green

Tres amigos (Golden Crownbeard)

Willow in a favorite spot

Chinchweed (yellow) and Desert zinnia

Golden Crownbeard again

Sacred Datura

Cumulus clouds building over the Organs

 

Sunny Sunday Trek

Desert Globemallow

Dr. K, Willow and I took a nice early morning hike today, crossing the Tellbrook Arroyo to explore some of the side canyons we enjoy exploring.  Encountered a jackrabbit who didn't mind posing for photos.  After the trek we took a long Sunday drive before heading home.

Fruit of the Tasajillo

Black-throated Sparrow on ocotillo branch

Sacred Datura

Desert Dog in a side arroyo

This & next 5:  Black-tailed Jackrabbit (aka Desert Hare)

 

Tortugas and the Organs

So Much Yellow

Early light across Las Cruces

The amazing thing about this morning's hike was the sheer number of yellow flowers blooming--in October!  Dr. K and I appreciated the beauty; Willow was into scents.  We humans have never seen so many wildflowers in bloom this late in the season, the spectacle, no doubt, due to the abundant rainfall we've had in summer and fall.

Desert Marigolds

This & next:  Roadrunner

Willow and Dr. K

Yellow flowers on 4210 hill

Wils!

Saddle west of the Organ Mountains

Surprised to find this triple barrel blooming

 

Greenery

Early light

The weather was quite pleasant this morning for our daily trek; Dr. K, Willow and I enjoyed it immensely.  We saw no other nature enthusiasts out and about in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert; no vehicles, either.  We did our usual route stopping as many times as Willow wanted, which were a lot.  Not too many ants around, which is always good news.

Clouds to the southwest

Long view of Tortugas and the Organs

House finch

Far up into the left branch arroyo

 

Tortugas and the Organs

Desert is very green

This & next:  Willow on the cross trail

Pebbles and rocks

Pleasant Extension

Soaptree Yucca in a very green desert

Dr. K, Willow and I decided to extend the hike this morning, crossing the Tellbrook Arroyo in a northerly direction and exploring many of the side arroyos we've explored in the past.  The temperature felt just right for such an outing:  mid- to high-50s and plenty of sunshine.  Dr. K and I both wore our Marmot PreCip jackets to stay warm.  Willow wore her regular coat.  By the time we were ascending the right branch arroyo we started to warm up a bit too much; but by then we were almost finished with the trek.

This & next 2:  White-crowned Sparrows

Artsy Loggherhead Shrike

Golden Crownbeard

Lengthwise Willow

Desert garden in side arroyo

Bushwhacking toward Tortugas and the Organs

Nipple Beehive Cactus