Who Calls the Wind Maria?

Steep western slope of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

We had a real break from the wind yesterday, but it was already blowing quite briskly when Becca and I hit the trail west of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  It wasn't too bad while we hiked, but it got stronger the longer we were out there.  It's supposed to get really bad this afternoon and into tomorrow, with gusts up to 50 mph.  At those speeds old "Maria" will whip up the dust and sand making the normally clear Chihuahuan Desert into a dust bowl photograph.

West of Tortugas

Rugged area just west of the mountain

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

Headed down to the lowest part of the desert

Far west of Turtle Mountain

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Soaptree Yuccas

Climbing Milkweed

Climbing Milkweed

This and the next two:  Tarantula Hawk

This and the next two:  Bumble Bee on Ocotillo flower

Bee on Climbing Milkweed

Meep Meep

Prickly Pear blossom

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Same hummer