National Monument Redux

From a distance I suspected "raptor"

Dr. K, Becca and I headed out to the Sierra Vista Trail Norte in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument this Sunday morning for a few hours of hiking in our favorite spot just west of the rugged mountains.  Even though it was 25F, there was a tent set up not far from the parking lot; when we got back to the car we saw that the campers were a man and woman, and they were talking with a BLM guy who was giving them directions to Soledad Canyon.  It was a beautiful cool and crisp morning in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, and we all enjoyed our trek very much.

Zooming in I find an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Interesting light on the Organs

Tortugas Mountain where Becca and I often hike

Becca and Dr. K

A little ball of Barrel Cactus

On our way toward the mountains

Becca says something is behind us

Tripartite Barrel Cactus

Something to the south?

Vast grassland

Barrel, Becca and me

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri)

Yuccas, Ocotillos and Barrel Cactus

Headed back a bit on the road

On the single-track once again