The Woody Woodpecker Song

Squiggling along the squiggly foothills trail

It was still quite windy when Becca and I set off to explore an arroyo west of Tortugas Mountain we hadn't been in for ages; and because the temperature was in the 40s it felt quite chilly out there until we got into the sun.  We had some interesting critter encounters while we bushwhacked through the Chihuahuan Desert, including one with a migrant I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting before:  a Red-naped Sapsucker.  Becca was incredibly patient with me while I shot about thirty photos of the bird.  There weren't many individuals of the human species out and about this morning due to the cool temps--a pleasant break from humanity. :)

Sun just coming over the mountain

Computer-enhanced Canyon Wren

Feather Dalea

This Parry's Agave has grown a foot in a few days

Looking down at the interesting stalk it's sending up

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Long trail into the lower desert

Down off the mountain now

Road around Tortugas

Taking a bow

Desert Sumac

Desert Sumac bushes are blooming all over

Exploring a deep arroyo just west of the mountain

A look back at the rugged territory we just traversed

Headed west

Making progress away from the mountain

Hedgehog Cacti are still in bloom everywhere

Claret Cups and the mountains

Desert Marigold

I believe this is a Red-naped Sapsucker

If this is a Red-naped Sapsucker I think it's the first I've seen

Could be a female

A Red-naped Sapsucker is a woodpecker

More artsy shot of the Red-naped Sapsucker

A small Patchnose snake is having lizard for breakfast

Hard to tell which Flycatcher this is.  I'm guessing "Gray"