Out Where a Friend Needs a Friend

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)

I got Becca back out into the desert this morning east of Tortugas Mountain.  I made sure she was either on lead or walking behind me just to make sure she never broke into a trot, which she sometimes does.  We did a moderately long trek behind the mountain, and the Beckster seemed to do pretty well.  I know we both enjoyed ourselves despite the heat.  We're heading for a high of 102F (38.8C) today, and, with the exception of tomorrow when it will be in the high 90s, we'll hit the century mark or better the next four or five days.  Fortunately our new evaporative cooler has been working efficiently, and we've been circulating cool air in our hacienda by employing the overhead fans in the living room and patio enclosure.

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker on the left flew away just after this shot

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)

Same Ladder-backed Woodpecker

The one in front is the size of a small house

Boulders

Looking back at the way we've just rounded the mountain

Long trail west behind Tortugas

Pretty sure it's a Red-tailed Hawk :D

Fairly large boulder behind the mountain

Same boulder

Off the main trail

Through the yucca forest

In the desert you take a break wherever you find shade

Shady respite

Torrey Yuccas behind the mountain

A little closer look

Bayonets

Guess who's lying in the shadow of these yuccas?

You guessed it

Bushwhacking far south of Tortugas Mountain

Heading back to the trailhead

Too distant for a good shot.  Can you see the Red-tailed Hawk?

I saw him dive for prey

Looks like he caught a small rock squirrel