During the Rain

High Desert grassland just west of the Organ Mountains

We were delayed for about an hour this morning because of heavy rain.  When it finally let up a bit Becca and I headed for Tortugas Mountain.  We got a little wet at first, but the rain stopped and a light breeze dried us off.  Eventually the sun appeared.  Since I had left my camera in the car so it wouldn't get drenched I decided the Beckster and I would drive over to the Sierra Vista Trail to do another short trek while I took some photos; by then the sun was shining brightly, though we had to walk through some soaked high grasses overhanging the path.  Becca didn't seem to mind the extra exercise, and I was glad to capture the images that are posted here.

Happy for sunny conditions after a rainy start

The rugged Organs

Sotol (aka "Desert Spoon") just flowering

Becca spots two Jackrabbits bounding through the underbrush

Long view of a high-desert grassland

Two large Sotols

Nice to see blue sky after a dreary start

Water runoff in the mountains

A bit closer look at the runoff

Getting set to turn around

Heading back

Getting closer to the Soledad Rocks

All part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

Organ Peak (high point of the range at approximately 9,000 feet)

Tortugas Mountain from the Sierra Vista parking lot

Barrel Cactus fruit

Almost home