For the Birds

Old NMSU experimental tower (for seismology, I think)

The Curve-billed Thrasher and Cactus Wren pictured here were in the same Yucca together, often less than a foot apart.  They stayed pretty still for me, but the wren was especially jumpy about my presence.  I often notice back home at the ranch that animals easily identify potential enemies.  If I step out into the yard, the White-Winged Doves are out of there.  But if they're hanging around when a cottontail or jackrabbit streak in the doves hardly notice.  Watch how the rabbits flee and the doves scatter, though, when a coyote shows up for a drink at the watering hole. 

Curve-billed Thrasher

Cactus Wren

The same Cactus Wren

Enormous Torrey Yucca

On high alert

Jet contrails in an overcast sky

A little independent bushwhacking

Not a stealth fighter jet, but a Raven in flight

Road back to Tortugas

JC and Shaque