Spring Has Sprung

Before the sun edged over Tortugas

I thought it would be a few more days until the ofttimes early-blooming Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus west of Tortugas Mountain would be in flower, but I was delightfully surprised to find one of the buds had opened.  This is the individual that is frequently the first to bloom along the path Becca and I often take.  I could find no others in flower during our extended trek.  Just as we were pulling out of the Sunset Area our friend Jimmy pulled in to say hello.  Becca was elated to see him.  We talked for a while until the number of people driving into the entrance road grew almost exponentially.  It is spring break, after all, and people are exercising to get in shape for the Bataan Memorial Death March on Sunday at White Sands Missile Range.

Western flank of Tortugas Mountain in shadow

Jet and contrail

Franklin Mountains near El Paso over the flank of Tortugas

Claret Cup Cactus in shadow

Closer look

Mid-mosey stop

Cactus Wren

Don't hike through here

Can't wait until these buds bloom

Torrey Yucca west of the mountain

A young Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Trident bud coming along quite nicely

Take this trail up the mountain

Claret Cup Cactus in sunlight

Same Claret Cup

Same Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus