Sunday Drive

Heading behind Tortugas

After Dr. K, Becca and I took a moderately-long hike around Tortugas Mountain we returned to the CRV at the Monte Vista parking area and drove out to Dripping Springs Natural Area, which is located in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.  I wanted Dr. K to see the road improvements the county had made.  "Impressive," was Dr. K's assessment.  Out there we also saw something that may bode well for future hikes, especially for Becca:  a sign with a "Pets on Leash" icon (human walking dog on lead).  This would be a change from the natural area's former policy and may have been necessitated by its inclusion within the national monument.  I have to do a little research about it.

Looking back at the way we just came

Daisy?

Surveying the territory ahead

Heading west behind the mountain

This Western Kingbird was either injured or pretending to be injured

Hard to determine whether it was a mother feigning injury

Still haven't been able to ID this plant

Rough Menodora

Bees love these tiny white flowers

What causes this pattern in rocks--vulcanism?

Watching a woman hiker while taking a break

Chihuahuan Sage

Prickly Pears and rocks

Out at Dripping Springs

La Cueva Rocks (foreground) and the Organ Mountains

West side of La Cueva Rocks

Gap in La Cueva Rocks