We Saw Deer, Dear

Starting out on Tortugas's west side

Another really cold start this morning--18 F.  About midway into the hike it started to feel warmer, but the wind picked up and put the kibosh on that sensation.  Behind the mountain we came upon a small herd of Mule Deer.  Of course, Becca spotted them way before I did.  They were very curious, but not threatened at all because of the distance between us.  It's always a treat to see these majestic animals browsing in their native Chihuahuan Desert.  

Mule Deer behind the mountain

Two individuals in a small herd

Four curious individuals

Far enough away to make fleeing irrelevant

Major arroyo west of Tortoise Mountain

Becca trying to surprise Mule Deer