Spring Winds Are Back

Mesquite Tree flowering out

On this restocking day for me here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert Becca and I got an early start on a slightly abbreviated hike west of Tortugas Mountain.  After circling back on the outer loop road and climbing into the high mountain foothills we spotted our pal Raymond heading our way.  We waited so we could do the final leg of our trek with him.  When we got to the main road to the mountaintop we were greeted by an eight-month-old Pitbull pup who was built like a tiny tank.  I choose to call him Otto.  Well, Otto liked Becca way more than Becca liked him; she thwarted his amorous advances until his owner, a pleasant young woman, caught up to and rounded him up.  She apologized for letting Otto come up on us like that, but it was a harmless encounter that gave all involved a good laugh--except for Becca, of course.

Torrey Yucca and Ocotillo

Ocotillo flower

Setting paws on the new trail

Further along the new trail

Halfway to Tortugas Mountain

Clouds starting to evidence high winds aloft

Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale)

Back up and over the flank