Yesterday's Hike

Didn't get a chance to post these pics yesterday because my internet connection was down all day. First up, a Claret Cup Cactus blossom.

Brer Coyote in a desert thicket.

I've yet to research what plant this is, but the blossoms are gorgeous.

Here's a closeup of one.

Here's my own coyote stretched out in a patch of shade.

Spring Morning

How can you not feel joy at the sight of beauty blooming in the desert?

This Claret Cup Cactus will soon be sporting joyously red flowers.
This Yucca's name is Joy.

This dove was joyous.

Ms. Becca felt joyful.

Sunday Sunshine

Very beautiful morning here in the Chihuahuan Desert. Dr. K and Ms. Becca can attest to that.

Two hikers enjoy a rugged trail on the east side of Tortugas.

All dog all the time.

Like a compass needle pointing true North.

This is the trail where I saw that jackrabbit.

Gorgeous Day

It was beautiful on the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning.

Guess who was enjoying herself?

The Ocotillos won't leaf out for quite a while.

That's my intrepid explorer.

Before the Wind

We got in a good, long hike before the wind started; but it's raging now. Interesting rock on the west side of Tortugas--sedimentary, I think.

Don't think I'll go down there.

Proof of Spring: a Desert Marigold.

More proof: Ocotillos beginning to bud.

Still more: tiny, pale yellow flowers.

Thursday Morning Hike

Raring to go on a Thursday morning--Ms. Beckster.

Two Yucca buds and a bird.

Yucca and the Portillos.

Yucca and Organs.

The heart of the matter.

Around the Grounds

The old thermometer here at the Chihuahuan Observation Center.

The Beckster relaxing at home.

The large arroyo that runs beside the center.

So much depends on a red wheelbarrow . . . but not here at C.O.C.

The center's dumpster.

Dynamic Morning

This dove was so comfortable on its Yucca perch it didn't move when Becca and I walked by.

Something captured her attention.

Hieroglyphics?--no, a flock of geese on the move.

An enormous Yucca bud.

Check out these lenticular clouds.

Spring: Day Two

25 degrees this morning. This is Spring? Well, at least it looks springlike.

The long road around Tortugas.

This image has a pastel quality to it.

There's a dog in this photo somewhere.

Ditto.

First Day of Spring

Spring has sprung here in the Chihuahuan Desert, but it was a tad chilly this morning as Becca and I roamed the west side of Tortugas. Nevertheless, the day was sunny and bright.

A few clouds were clinging tenaciously to the Organ Mountains.

Becca was in a relaxed mood.

The younger George Bush was here?

Let's bushwhack across the desert, Packrat.

Under the Weather

Packrat wasn't feeling too well this morning, so we did a short hike on the west side of Tortugas. Becca felt just fine.

The dove was sitting on an Ocotillo wand on the far side of the Yucca.

Soon, the Ocotillos will be leafing out.

She just couldn't understand why I wasn't more energetic this morning.