Thanks to Shade and Wind

Sacramentos early

This morning's hike in the forest behind the cabin was surprisingly good; Dr. K, Willow and I had the benefit of the shade from junipers and pines, and a steady light wind that provided decent evaporative cooling.  We did our regular route, my gimpy knees not complaining too much.  We delighted in seeing a Flame Skimmer dragonfly or two during the outing, and I got a photo of a New Mexico Whiptail.  All in all a very good outing.

Mountain dog

This way

Come what may

All dragonflies are Flame Skimmers

New Mexico Whiptail

This & next:  Willow catching flies

Sun through huge juniper

 

Lo 2 Hi

Just getting started down low

Dr. K, Willow and I took a morning hike in the lower desert before returning home to finish packing for a trip to the high country, where we are now.  Cooler than down there, but still quite toasty for up here.

Clouds to the southwest

One of two cactus wrens squabbling like Heckle and Jeckle

Tortugas and the Organs

Four O'Clocks

Two in the bush (Ash-throated Flycatchers)

In the high country

Willow in the shade of the cabin

 

Partly Cloudy with Wind and Sprinkles

Early light

Intermittent clouds gave us a respite from bright sunshine during our morning trek; Dr. K, Willow and I appreciated the break.  Also, a slight breeze helped keep us cooler.  And then--much to our surprise--we got sprinkled on a bit (a very little bit).  Best part of this morning's hike was spotting and photographing a male Scott's Oriole.

What caused the sprinkles

15-foot White-thorn Acacia

The long view

Tippy tops of the Doña Ana Mountains

A male Scott's Oriole on a creosote bush

Sand potato

Pointed my camera where I heard chirping

Ocotillo with sunny disposition

Allthorn budding

Barrel cacti are budding

 

Half Hike

Northwest down LDR-A

Because we keep thinking we might be doing Willow a disservice by taking her on the longer regular hike we decided right from the get-go that we'd shorten this morning's trek; so we halved it.  She did fine on the shorter version.  Dr. K and I did, too.  We've got some humidity in the atmosphere that seems to be boosting the discomfort level quite noticeably.  Hate to wish months away, but we're already pining for some autumn weather.

Dayflower

Soaptree Yucca fruit

Wils on break

Desert Marigold flowers

Dr. K and Willow in the right branch

Dainty Sulphur

West of the Organ Mountains

 

Birds and Butterfly

This & next 2:  Sleepy Orange

It was another brutal morning for Dr. K, Willow and me out in the desert.  We followed our regular route making plenty of stops so Willow could lie in the shade.  Doesn't seem like our little hiking heeler is enjoying these treks on extra hot days; to be honest Dr. K and I aren't enjoying them very much either.  Our only alternative is to head for the high country to hike, but it's been pretty toasty up there as well.

Bee (impressionism)

Wils

Black-throated Sparrow (juvenile)

This & next:  White-winged Dove on ocotillo branch

 

Enmity

Tortugas Mountain and the Organ Mountains

It was already hot out there for the morning hike; 81F at 8:14 a.m.  Despite the heat, Dr. K, Willow and I did the entirety of our regular route.  The most interesting sight today was the Swainson's Hawk being pestered by a mockingbird who didn't approve of the raptor's presence; the aggressor kept at it until the hawk flew off.  By the time we finished the trek we were all ready to hop into the CR-V, turn the air conditioning on full blast and take a long drive to cool off, which we did.

Bushwhacking east of LDR-A

White-thorn Acacia and a tall ocotillo

Willow in yucca shadow

This Swainson's Hawk landed in the wrong place

This & next 5:  a mockingbird took issue with the hawk

 

Same Swainson's Hawk

Western Kingbird