Cold Snap

The strong wind yesterday was the leading edge of a cold front that has dropped temperatures by twenty degrees and left a gloomy sky behind--like this. (By the way, Becca is present in this photo.)
Here she is again.

Tortugas's west flank.

It never rained today, but it looked like it could.

That little squiggly tan line is a trail up the mountain.

Wind Warning

It was bad out there this morning--very gusty winds. An image of a large arroyo on Tortugas's west side.

These Ocotillo flowers were whipping around in the gusts.

Not even heavy wind can prevent Becca from having a lie-down.

The Organ Mountains were made hazy from the dust carried by the wind.

Around the West Side

A small Mesquite tree has leafed out on the west side of Tortugas.

The shaggy trunk of a Torrey Yucca with another shaped like a spur in the background.

Monitoring the progress of Ocotillo blooms; the buds remind me of those mini Christmas lights you string around the house.

If you guessed badminton shuttlecock in flight, you're wrong.

If you guessed Hummingbird, you were right.

Desert Morn

The sun bathed the western slope of Tortugas Mountain this morning.

A Soaptree Yucca stalk grows at an amazingly-fast rate.

These Soaptree Yuccas haven't sent stalks up just yet.

Becca says, "I'm bushed."

Mesquite Tree in a sandy arroyo.

Sunday Shuffle

Dr. K, Research Associate Becca and I did a long hike on the west side of Tortugas this morning. For those who've never visited the Chihuahuan Desert, this is "green" for a desert.

A tall Ocotillo leafing out and blooming.

Can't get enough of those Ocotillo bud closeups.

Desert Blister Beetle.

Peace.

Sun, At Last

Soaptree Yuccas beginnng to send up their flower stalks on Tortugas's west side.

Ocotillos are beginning to leaf out.

Flower Girl takes a break.

A Big Bend Patchnose Snake gets breakfast: McLizard.

Ocotillo buds in mid-bloom.

Photo Crazy

I took 92 pictures on our hike this morning. Here's one: fruit of the Yucca plant.

Don't sit on this plant!

Leader of the pack.

Organ Mountains.

Blooming desert, cloudy day.

Heading Home

It was pouring when the Beckster and I left High Rolls this morning, so I'm posting a few photos from yesterday: the spectacular Sacramento Mountains.

High Rolls Hijinks

Look what's growing on the grounds of the High Desert Research Institute. Is it an Iris?

Closeup of said flower.

Look who got to frollic with the local buds.

It's very windy here today, and a bit humid.

Monte Vista Morn

It was cool, but very humid this morning. We started on the east side of Tortugas, and wrapped around the mountain to the west side. In one of the major arroyos we found these Spectacle Pod flowers.

This is where Spectacle Pod gets its name.

There she is.

"I love the flower girl, she seemed so sweet and kind she made me lose my mind."

We ran across our first Western Diamondback rattlesnake south of the mountain. It was the smallest young one I've ever seen, about twelve inches.

Cool Morning

Very cool and overcast on the west side of Tortugas this morning.

The Beckster was in her usual exploratory mood.

Claret Cup Cactus and Barrel Cactus.

The winter rains have really greened the desert up.