West of Tortugas

Looks like a rocket launch, but they're contrails

Becca and I were out fairly early this morning exploring the territory far west of Tortugas Mountain.  At the start of our hike we encountered a man near the trailhead, and at the end of our trek we bumped into two women back near the trailhead; but in the interim period in the outback we saw nobody--unfortunately, not even the Coyote we heard wailing when we first got out there.  I was hoping we'd meet up with him or her, but we saw neither hide nor hair of the critter.  (I guess "hide nor fur" would be a more apt idiom in this case.)  We were out there a good couple hours taking photos.  Well, I was taking photos.  Becca forgot her camera at home.

More contrails

Contrail-less sky over Tortugas

Quite a turn there

Approaching the high point of the high foothills

Another launch

Long view across the desert

Torrey Yucca (left) and a Soaptree Yucca

Former marigold

Wash west of the mountain

Vine of the Coyote Gourd

Wide wash

Disseminating seeds

Not quite puffy balls

Becca forging ahead in an arroyo

Seed pods of the Soaptree Yucca

Daisy?

How to wait patiently in an arroyo

How to relax in an arroyo

Can you tell we're headed south?

Yucca leaves

Nymphs of the Red Milkweed Beetle

Soaptree Yucca west of Tortugas

Exploring yet another arroyo

Banana Yuccas west of the mountains

Under a tent of clouds

Fall color on Ocotillo leaves

Odd-shaped Ocotillo branches

Slightly different perspective

Still some green in the desert

Dirt road around the mountain

Arduous climb back up Tortugas

Butterfly on Trailing Four O'Clock

Do we have to keep climbing?

Crazy contrail sky

Pyrrhuloxia (Desert Cardinal) in a Creosote Bush