Bracing for Bad Weather

Morning clouds over Tortugas Mountain

Today and tomorrow are supposed to be downright nasty here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  Local meteorologists are predicting very strong winds with even stronger gusts, rain and snow in the higher elevations.  Becca and I got to experience the changing weather when we did a morning hike near Tortugas Mountain.  Conditions were pretty quiet when we started off, but a strong, cold breeze picked up just about midway through our trek.  By the time we finished it was quite cold.  We bumped into Olivia and JC back at the trailhead and stood talking to them for ten or fifteen minutes.

Picacho Peak, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Long view west across the Chihuahuan Desert

Potrillo Mountains

Along the foothills trail

Becca's favorite yucca

Pause before dipping through a gully

Sun highlights features of the Organ Mountains not usually seen

Alfred Hitchcock of Loggerhead Shrikes

Wind pushing clouds

Just a few seconds later

A look around the edge of Tortugas Mountain (left)

Rain is on its way

The wind is really stirring things up

My favorite yucca

Barrel Cactus, yucca stump and mountains

Small, steep arroyo far west of Tortugas Mountain

Becca and a Barrel Cactus

Drat!  Ladderback Woodpecker in an Ocotillo