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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Hazy Skies

Becca watching coyotes before our morning hike
Because of the Whitewater-Baldy fire burning out of control in the Gila National Forest near Silver City (over 85,000 acres scorched now), the skies in three states are filled with smoky haze.  Nevertheless, the Chihuahuan Desert was as beautiful as ever this morning when Becca and I hiked the foothills west of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain.  Countless Yuccas and Ocotillos are still in bloom, and the desert denizens are enjoying the summer-like temperatures.
Late-blooming Ocotillos


Fruit of the Soaptree Yucca

Soaptree Yucca blossoms in front of an Ocotillo

Soaptree Yucca blossoms

White-winged Dove on Ocotillo wand


Desert Sunflowers

Helianthus (Desert Sunflower)

New against old


Smoky haze between Tortugas Mountain and the Organ Mountains

The Franklin Mountains near El Paso obscured by smoky haze

1 comment:

Dr. K said...

I love those desert sunflowers--you don't always see very many of them, so this is a treat.

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