Almost a Rainout

Rain early this morning made a hike uncertain

At 3:30 a.m. lightning began flashing through the house followed by booming thunder.  Becca came into the bedroom to tell us she didn't care for the changing weather.  Later I had to wait until after a rain shower to let her outside to do her business, and it looked for a while as if Dr. K, Becca and I might not get a hike in at all.  But the doppler radar map at Weather.com showed clearing conditions so we headed on over to the Grand View Trail for what turned out to be a wonderful trek.  Nothing like clouds, sun and wind to make for dynamic photographic opportunities.

View up Haynes Canyon on a rainy morning

I had to go out to do something in the rain, and Becca couldn't come

Bigleaf Periwindkle

Bigleaf Periwinkle (aka Vinca Major)

Looks like Paperflower to me

Cliff Fendlerbush

Cliff Fendlerbush

Cliff Fendlerbush

Coming?

Allthorn

Iffy weather

Crucifixion Thorn

Heading toward the cut

Hedgehog Cactus in rock

Same Hedgehog, different perspective

Dr. K checking out a cliff, Becca checking out Dr. K

Southwestern mock vervain

This could be a Blue Orchard Bee

Mexican Barberry

Midway ramada Grand View Trail

Three-leaf Sumac berries

Mexican Barberry

Dr. K and Becca at the ramada

Becca forges ahead

Four sisters

Hedgehog Cactus in rock

Closeup of those beautiful flowers

High desert view

Feather Dalea

The Beckster loving the hike

Fragrant Ash blooming along the trail

Fragrant Ash flowers

Heading along the Grand View Trail

Type of Arnica?

No ID as yet

Loving the trail

Clouds over the Tularosa Basin

Mormon Tea, full bloom

High Rolls/Mountain Park area

More Mormon Tea in bloom

Yucca sending up flower stalk

Flower stalk

Looks like a Black-throated Sparrow, but the yellow eye patch says different

Fragrant Ash in the Sacramento Mountains

Another yucca flower stalk

Much-deserved break

Dr. K

Becca and me

Yet another yucca flower stalk

At the trailhead

Idyllic scene, High Rolls, New Mexico