Nice Cooldown

Foothills west of Tortugas Mountain

A cold front blowing through this morning has lowered the temperature significantly giving both Becca and me extra energy for an extended hike.  We trekked far into the outback west of Tortugas Mountain to do some exploring in one of our favorite major arroyos.  We didn't run into one single other outdoor enthusiast during our journey, and, usually, that's the way we like it.  I suppose you could quibble with my pronouncement about the absence of "outdoor enthusiasts" if you take into account the Black-throated Sparrow and the Pyyrhuloxia we encountered in the great out-of-doors.

Black-throated Sparrow

Prickly Pear ice cream cone

Striking for the high ground

Getting there

Early overcast

In the lowlands west of the mountain

Took a detour into the outback

Heading for that arroyo

Looking south in the arroyo

Looking north

Abundant flora along the arroyo

Soaptree Yuccas putting up flower stalks

A new Soaptree Yucca stalk

Hiking north in the arroyo

Mesquite flowers

Becca is well ahead of the pack

Far west of Tortugas Mountain

An old Soaptree Yucca flower stalk next to a new one

Tip of a flower stalk

Looking down at a new Soaptree Yucca flower stalk

Desert Cardinal (aka Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus) in a Mesquite tree

More Mesquite Tree flowers

Happy hiker in an arroyo

Almost out of the arroyo

Portal to the yucca world

One last look back

Becca is well ahead of me on the new trail