One Fine Sunday

Heading back behind Tortugas Mountain

It was a beautiful morning in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, though quite cool again.  Dr. K and I both wore light jackets for most of the hike--which was a long one.   Back of Tortugas Mountain we ran into three mountain bikers who were stopped abreast of the trail.  They laughed at the wide berth Becca gave them.  I told the guy they looked like the Three Musketeers the way they were standing there, and one of the men said, "More like the three Mouseketeers."  

Looking upslope

In a steep arroyo Becca watches Desert Cottontails scamper away

Millipede

Dr. K and Becca, who spots a woman hiking with a German Shepherd

Odd Prickly Pear pad:  flowers on the flat surface rather than on the rim

Trail through the outback

Becca forging ahead

Waiting for us around the bend

Delicate Prickly Pear flower

Eastern flank of the Tortoise

More Prickly Pear blossoms

Stealth over the mountain

These delicate flowers are growing near the wheelbarrow in our backyard