Photo Fest

Can't resist photographing these Claret Cup flowers

About a mile into our hike this morning Becca and I heard a loud Canid commotion; a clan of cacophonous Coyotes were howling, yelping, yipping and barking very close to us.  We immediately began bushwhacking in their direction, hoping to catch sight of one or more.  No such luck; the Tricksters never showed.  The result of our off-trail trekking, though, was the discovery of many beautiful blooming plants in remote areas of the desert we hadn't explored in a long while.

High foothills trail

Black-throated Sparrows

Don't take this curve too quickly

Through the Ocotillo forest

Cacti thriving on the mountain

Another cactus garden

In the upper foothills

A type of Wild Buckwheat

Probably a small Mesquite tree highlighted by sunlight

Yet another Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus

Torrey Yuccas in bloom just west of Tortugas Mountain

How tall is this Torrey Yucca?

At least twice as tall as me (I'm 5' 10")

More yuccas in bloom

Organ Mountains in the background

Large Torrey Yucca with three flower stalks

Claret Cup Cacti are blooming everywhere in the Chihuahuan Desert

We've run across this cross before

Heavy, welded metal cross

What does Becca see?

A Black-tailed Jackrabbit (a true hare)

Now what's she looking at?

Large group of hikers with three or four dogs (the lead one sees us)

Is that enough shade for a break?

I think these are unopened Chicory flowers

This yellow gem was unattached to a plant

Desert Chicory

Mountain biker plying a single-track trail

Large stand of blossoming Torrey Yuccas

Yeah, I know

Feather Dalea

Feather Dalea

Feather Dalea and Friend