Becca Meets Several Pals

A very early start

Becca and I got a really early start on our morning hike, and about half way through we ran into Courtney and her dog, Pepper.  Becca and Pepper played for a while before we all parted company.  Later, when we had nearly reached our car at the trailhead, we ran into our buddy Jimmy.  Becca is always happy to see Jimmy because he knows how to scratch dog ears properly.  He and I talked for a few minutes before we headed in opposite directions.  He was just starting his trek, headed, perhaps for the mountaintop.

Moseying down the single-track

On the slope of Tortugas

A huge, old Torrey Yucca

Looking over her own shoulder

I keep waiting for this Nipple Beehive Cactus to blossom

This and the following:  Scott's Oriole

Pretty bird

Your eyes aren't deceiving you, it's more Spectacle Pod

Becca spots a man and woman hiking with their German Shepherd

These clouds look somewhat ominous, but they weren't

Desert Marigold and Claret Cups

Spectacle Pod:  a good-looking plant

Pepper is happy to see me

Then she sees Becca crouching in a bush

Eskimo greeting

Becca wants to play more than Pepper does

A yucca still in bloom

A full head of flowers

Closeup of one of the beauties

Blue and off-white

Desert garden

Robledo Mountains and part of Las Cruces, New Mexico

Desert Cottontail eating a flower