Tortugas West

Heading into the lower desert (see video below)

I shortened our hike this morning because I was still a little tired from our long trek yesterday.  Becca seemed a little tuckered out, too, frequently resting in the shade during our outing west of Tortugas Mountain.  As usual on a Saturday there were quite a few people on and about the mountain enjoying the cool morning.  Everything seemed fresh because of a decent shower we got yesterday late afternoon.  Some people were pretty hard hit by storms, and a tornado was  reported in Otero County, the county where our High Rolls place is located.

Ocotillo flower buds

Scott's Oriole (must be nice to have a bird named after you :)

Yucca stalk in the process of blooming out

All three of our Desert Willows are loaded with flowers

Cane Cholla flower at home

White-winged Dove on flimsy nest in our Desert Willow

This Desert Willow has a Japanese painting feel