The Woody Woodpecker Song

On the trail west of Tortugas Mountain

Because today is restocking day at the ranch Becca and I took a slightly abbreviated hike west of Tortugas Mountain.  It was rewarding even though the humidity and dewpoint were very high.  It rained sometime overnight; I was awakened by a brief, heavy downpour.  I'm guessing we're in store for more rainstorms today; the sun is beating down, the humidity is up, and cumulus clouds are already building over the mountains.

Barrel Cactus budding out

Close look at buds and spines

Road up the mountain

Heading south

Rugged western foothills of Tortugas, observatory at top

More Ocotillos on the western slope

Louis Armstrong ant

This and the following:  Ladderback Woodpecker picking ants off yucca fruit