Cold-Weather Bushwhacking

Becca stares at someone on the mountain

For obvious reasons it's always best to bushwhack during the colder months in the Chihuahuan Desert.  For one thing the rattlers have begun to hibernate, and you don't have to be quite so cautious about where you step.  Because you're wearing a jacket (or coat) and long trousers your arms and legs are protected from the many spiny and thorny plants that call the desert home, and you don't need to wear gaiters over your boots to keep the rocks and pebbles out.  Because it was warmer this morning, though, I wore a lightweight windbreaker over a short-sleeve shirt, shorts and no gaiters for my boots.  Sheesh.  Can't even follow my own advice.

An off-roader far out in the desert

Eight-foot Torrey Yucca

A large Pencil Cholla loaded with red fruit

A closer look at the fruit

2 1/2-foot Barrel Cactus

Way off-trail

Multi-trunk Soaptree Yucca

Looking back toward Tortugas (left) and the Organs

Noble canine

Roadrunner in an Ocotillo

It's aware of our presence

Another Roadrunner nearby (they're hunting in tandem)