East Side Trek

Starting off at Monte Vista

On the way back from our hike this morning we met a man with three very well-behaved dogs; we stood and talked to him a short while.  Our most interesting encounter, though, was with the Jackrabbit (true hare) pictured in the third image here.  Becca got within two feet of the Jackrabbit before it moved to the position shown in the photo--about ten feet from Dr. K and me.  I thought at first it was injured because it just stood there looking at us while I talked to it.  (I often talk to animals.)  Fortunately it wasn't hurt because as soon as we moved forward the Jackrabbit took off like a bat out of hell, bounding up the rugged foothills, looking very much like a cross between an antelope and a Mule Deer (how's that for a mixed metaphor?).

Back around Tortugas

Mexican standoff with a Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Becca and Packrat at the far end of the hike

As far as we trekked this morning

Becca spots a mountain biker

Almost back where we started

The fragrant yellow-ball flowers of the Acacia

Sotol, mountain, moon