Autumnal Spring Day

Getting started on a chilly morning

It felt more like fall this morning than spring because of a cold front that swept in early this morning.  It was still sweeping in when Becca and I were trekking west of Tortugas Mountain, a persistent wind making it feel quite chilly.  I wore my blue hooded anorak, never taking it off during the entire hike even though I unzipped the pit zippers near the end of our long exploration.  As usual cloud cover made for some interesting lighting conditions out in the desert.

Striking for the high foothills

I've never seen an Ocotillo leaf out with fall-colored leaves

Littleleaf Sumac west of the mountain

Banking up the high road

Back behind Tortugas Mountain

Deep gorge behind the mountain

Stunted Mesquite

Between the goalposts the road to the Organ Mountains

Desert flora on Tortugas's southern flank

Blue sky over the Organs

Tall Torrey Yucca

Claret Cup Cactus

The flank of Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Surveying the territory

The road west

Further away from the mountains

I've looked at yuccas . . .

. . . from both sides now

Blue fissure in the clouds

A wide expanse of Chihuahuan Desert

Looking down a large arroyo

Threatening sky

Spectacle Pod

Shades of grey

Ratany

Scalloped Phacelia

Becca in a rhubarb (not the melee type)

Desert Sumac flowers and buds