Pleasant Morning on the Osha Trail

First elevation check

Dr. K, Becca and I drove up to Cloudcroft for an early-morning hike on the Osha Trail in the high Sacramento Mountains.  We saw a few other hikers--two guys, one of whom we ran into twice--but we pretty much had the place to ourselves.  It was a very pleasant morning--not too cool with only a slight breeze--and the high altitude didn't affect us at all.  We're always amazed when we get to the first overlook of the Mexican Canyon trestle at the great number of hummingbirds that seem to congregate there.  I was able to capture a few photos of them today.

Trestle over Mexican Canyon

Absolutely no idea what this is (a type of Deervetch?)

Still climbing

Up the sun-speckled trail

On the horizon:  White Sands National Monument

The village of Cloudcroft, New Mexico

What bowed these trees into wooden arches?

Trees greening out in the Sacramento Mountains

Not a command, but an information sign

So many scents to take in

Happy hiker on the Osha Trail

These papery blossoms seemed to be attached to vines

?

Mountain dandelions

Red Columbine

Moseying into a meadow

Dr. K and Becca explore a side trail

Stand of leafless Aspens

The explorer

Big meadow off the Osha Trail

Hummingbird (rear view)

Needle beak

In flight

These two have been fighting

Broad-tailed Hummingbird