Grey Day

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Grey morning in the mountains today; nonetheless, Dr. K, Willow and I had a good time on our daily outing.  Saw some interesting things, including a very small plant that has bulbs and tiny yellow flowers; I did a cursory search to ID it, but didn't feel inclined to spend too much time doing so.  We're supposed to get rain tomorrow, and Friday's high is only going to be 49F.  Brrrr.

Hummer and flycatcher

Small plant with bulbs and yellow flowers

This & next:  cute Willow

Spinystar

Different kind of morning

Willow leads the way back

First Swainson's Hawk we've seen up here

Chihuahuan Flax

 

Tuesday Forest Trek

This & next:  Sacramento Mountains vista

Dr. K, Willow and I had a good hike in the forest behind the cabin this morning.  Weather was a bit warmer with no wind to spoil the conditions.  An Ash-throated Flycatcher (or more than one) seems to be omnipresent for the past few days, and we've seen several both yesterday and today.  Got some pretty decent photos during our outing, most of butterflies on our butterfly bush in the Back 40.

Indra Swallowtail?

This & next:  Empress Leilia?

Wils on our driveway

Looking down at the lower section of our driveway

Prickly Pear pads and shadow friend

High life, White Sands NP at the horizon

This & next:  Claret Cup in bloom at 6974 feet

 

Some chompers on this jawbone

Willow heading back after a long hike

Crocale Bordered Patch?

American Lady

Birds and Butterflies

1st 2:  Ash-throated Flycatcher

Good hike in the high country forest this morning; Dr. K, Willow and I enjoyed it immensely.  I took some fairly decent photos of birds and butterflies.  The weather here in the mountains--after yesterday's horrible wind--was quite pleasant:  no wind and much sunshine.  It's supposed to get a bit windy this afternoon, but nothing approaching yesterday's wind storm.

This & next:  Willow the mountain heeler

This & next:  Black-throated Gray Warbler

This & next:  Damianita

Ash-throated Flycatcher

 

This & next:  Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia)

Before Big Wind

Soaptree Yucca

Dr. K, Willow and I got in a regular hike before the winds came.  At home we finished packing for a trip to the high country where we are now.  The drive up was somewhat difficult due to the gusty wind; now it's downright horrible here in the mountains.

This & next:  Swainsy on a distant yucca

Mockingbird on yucca saber

Willow taking it easy

Cane Cholla

Cactus Bee on cane cholla flower

Cane Cholla blossom

Dr. K and Willow in the right branch arroyo

Multi-crowned Soaptree Yucca

 

Duo

1st 2:  same Soaptree Yucca in bloom

Just Willow and me on a Saturday morning hike.  It was a bit chilly at first, but warmed up nicely.  We saw no other outdoor enthusiasts while we followed our regular route.  I got some decent photos of Soaptree Yuccas blooming and in bloom.

Willow headed down LDR-A

Soaptree Yucca buds flowering

Wils on break

Prickly Pear flowering

Picacho and surroundings

Last 2:  same sky, different perspectives