Blowing Dust and Sand

Becca in the shadow of a large Ocotillo

Becca and I did an early lower-desert hike this morning before the wind got bad.  By the time we reached home and packed for a short trip to our place in the high country it had gotten really bad.  During our drive from Las Cruces to Alamogordo all the surrounding mountains were obscured by blowing dust and sand, and I had to struggle to keep the Jeep in my lane due to powerful gusts.  We were surprised by how dusty it was when we reached High Rolls/Mountain Park; we've never seen it quite so bad up here.  Now in the late afternoon it seems as if the winds will be with us the rest of the day.

Loggerhead Shrike

The Beatles

About to climb back up the mountain

Does this look like a comfortable spot?

Chihuahuan Raven

Stealth aircraft or Chihuahuan Raven in flight?

Fendler's Bladderpod (aka "Popweed")

A very dusty Haynes Canyon

Becca on our driveway

Nice to be up here despite the dust

The wind is gusting to around 50 mph

Don't think we've ever seen it this dusty here

Becca's mountain retreat