Fun With a Trickster

Following a long single-track trail

While we were bushwhacking in the outback far west of Tortugas Mountain Becca started staring into the desert in the direction of the Organ Mountains.  I saw nothing at first, but eventually a male Coyote made its presence known to me.  More curious about us (about Becca to be precise) than scared it headed away at a good clip; but it kept turning around to keep us in its sights.  At one moment I decided to see if we could head it off in order for me to get a better photo of the magnificent creature, but it outsmarted us--as Coyotes often do--by anticipating where we'd emerge over a ridge and choosing to double back in the opposite direction.

Potrillo Mountains

In an arroyo west of Tortugas Mountain

In an extra-wide section of the arroyo

When rainwater runs here it really runs

The area where we encountered a Coyote

Closer look

This and the next:  Soaptree Yuccas

Hedgehog Cactus

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Appears to be an adult male

Very curious about Becca and me

Our curious canid friend headed in this direction . . .

 . . . but stopped to look back

I think that Coyote may live around here