Lone Mule Deer

Just west of Tortugas

In the far outback this morning Becca and I spotted a lone Mule Deer who was very jumpy--figuratively and literally.  When she saw us she went bounding over the nearest hill.  We quickly hiked down a lengthy arroyo hoping to cut her off--for photographic purposes only--but she came zipping along to the south of us forcing me to draw my camera out to snap a fleeting photo of her fleeing.  It was the best I could do under the circumstances.  I have never seen deer in the region we were exploring this morning, and it struck me rather odd to find one out there all by its lonesome.

Rolling mountain foothills

Seed pods

Loving the morning chill

Yucca hitchhiker

Becca all aglow

How big is this Torrey Yucca?  I'm 5' 11"

C why we shouldn't have guns in the desert?

Long way across the desert to the mountains

Ocotillo and Organ Mountains

Best critter spotter

Hazy Chihuahuan Desert morn

Hedgehog Cactus and Soaptree Yucca

At the center of this photo a lone Mule Deer

In a dry wash (aka "arroyo") west of the mountain

This arroyo drains out of Tortugas Mountain

Yet another fruiting Barrel Cactus

Plenty of fruit to be had

Has-beens

And more has-beens

Leaning Soaptree Yucca

Dead yucca with leaves splayed out in a sunburst pattern

West of Tortugas and the Organs

For perspective:  distant Torrey Yuccas (far right) are the same size as this one

Symbiosis?