Early Friday Trek

On the trail by 7:00 a.m.

Becca and I got a really early start this morning; we were on the trail just west of Tortugas Mountain by 7:00 a.m.  There were already a few other hikers out and about.  It was much warmer this morning--60 degrees Fahrenheit--and it felt pretty toasty.  Nevertheless, we took a long hike, stopping frequently for photo-ops.  Well, honestly, Becca uses my photo-ops as smell-ops, taking full advantage of my picture-taking to thoroughly sniff the desert.

Yuccas in the mountain shadow

City of Las Cruces in the distance

Edge of the desert

All of the pink flowers are Strawberry Pitaya Hedgehog Cactus

Nice bouquet

I believe it's a Black-chinned Hummingbird

Same Hummer

Same hummingbird

Soaptree Yuccas

Soaptree Yuccas and the distant Organ Mountains

Where to take a shade break in the desert

Long desert view; Organ Mts. left & center, Franklin Mts. near El Paso right

Creosote bush, Torrey Yucca, Ocotillos and Soaptree Yucca with flowers

Soaptree Yucca, Franklin Mountains near El Paso on the horizon

Hog Potato

Whitethorn Acacia west of Tortugas Mountain

Whitethorn Acacia

More Strawberry Pitaya

Strawberry Pitaya