Sunday Outing at OMDPNM

On the first plateau

Dr. K, Becca and I took our weekly Sunday hike in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument this morning, and we only encountered three people and two dogs during our trek.  The weather was beautiful, and both Dr. K and I had to remove our vests a quarter of the way to Black Mountain.  Clouds rolling over the mountains created an interesting dynamic, and the western escarpment of the Organs changed appearance several times.  Our two-hour outing was definitely a good way to spend some quality time out in our gorgeous section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert today.

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

Section of the Organ Mountain Range

Tortugas Mountain from the Sierra Vista Trail

Shaded contours

Closer look at the rugged peaks

An even closer look at the rugged terrain

Peculiar erosion

Becca enjoying our morning trek

Christmas colors

Not sure what this is

It's obviously a hardwood, though

Something back that-a-way has got my attention

We never did spot what she was staring at

Old Man's Beard (Clematis drummondii) looks like a cotton patch

Old Man's Beard and the Organ Mountains

Closer look at Old Man's Beard

Individual segments of Old Man's Beard

At one time one boulder

Send in the clones (Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus wislizeni)

Dr. K and Becca on the trail

Clouds rolling in over the mountains

Interesting pattern in the clouds

High desert grassland

Becca leading the way

Leaves of the Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

After the hottest November on record bees are still gathering nectar

Yellowing leaves of the Western Soapberry tree (Sapindus saponaria)

The rugged Organ Mountains