Amarillo, Giallo, Yellow

Contrails west of Tortugas

Dr. K, Becca and I did a long hike two-thirds of the way around Tortugas Mountain and back, starting from the Monte Vista parking area.  There were surprisingly few other outdoor enthusiasts about, though we did encounter two runners and one hiker behind the mountain.  We had quite a cool start temperature-wise--59F--but things heated up about midway through our trek, mostly due to a lack of wind and high humidity.  Despite the slightly uncomfortable conditions we had a very good outing.

This way to get behind the mountain

Looking back at the trail we just traversed

Dr. K taking a photo of Becca

High foothills southwest of Tortugas

Loggerhead Shrike

Hummer and Shrike

Yep--we're headed down that-a-way

Field of yellow flowers

These beauties (Daisies?) were blooming all over south of the mountain

I can't identify these yellow flowers with any certainty

Perhaps they're a type of grounsel

The desert is carpeted with yellow flowers

On the lower slope of the mountain

Yellow flowers and the Organ Mountains

Stopping to smell the flowers

Red-tailed Hawk west of Tortugas

I tried carefully sneaking up on the raptor

A pretty large male (I presume)

When I got too close he took off

Getting ready to head back

Chihuahuan Desert flora

Apache Plume in the large arroyo south of Tortugas

Apache Plume

Same Apache Plume flowers, slightly different perspective

Apache Plume

Becca and Dr. K in the arroyo

Buffalo Gourd

Apache Plume (left) and the Organ Mountains

Contrail sky

These "clouds" were once contrails

North of the mountain now