Freewheeling Hike

Research Associate Becca--because of her constant complaints to Dr. K--got out of carrying a backpack on our hike this morning. Geez--what a bellyacher. Unencumbered by any excess weight, she was free to pursue whatever creature caught her fancy. Here she is returning--exhausted--from chasing a rodent. All I could think was "Gene Simmons."
It always amazes me to see Prickly Pear cacti growing directly out of rock.
Two huge Little Leaf Sumacs frame an arroyo that off-roaders often use as a desert road.
The Organ Mountains seem to loom over a large Soaptree Yucca.

Sadly, we came upon this dead Curved-bill Thrasher at the far point of our hike.