New Leaves

Early start in the western foothills of Tortugas Mountain

The abundant rainfall we've been getting lately has left the northern Chihuahuan Desert as green as we've seen it in years.  It's uplifting to see the desert benefiting from so much precipitation.  The downside is the ultra-high humidity we've had to put up with on our daily hikes.  This morning was no exception.  Although we started off under some cloud cover, the sun soon showed up to begin the roasting process.  We were going to extend our trek a bit, but I made a wise decision by cutting it a little short.  As a result the Beckster and I didn't get punished too much by the sweltering conditions.

Heading south

Where is everybody?

Flycatcher

This way to the sky

Becca spotted a runner on the mountain

Beautiful sky over the mountain

Leveling out

In the tablelands

Tortugas and the Organs

Plumed Crinklemat (Tiquilia greggii) in the high foothills

Whitethorn Acacia

Whitethorn Acacia

Trail back over the saddle

The benefits of desert rain

Dayflowers

Dayflower

Dayflower

Between the Ocotillos

A few miles west of Tortugas Mountain

New leaves on a young Ocotillo

Becca and her new water bottle

Wish people who mark the desert would come back and remove ribbons