Beating the Wind

Just getting started

Becca and I got a fairly early start in hopes of beating the wind, which was supposed to get bad in the late morning and early afternoon, with gusts reaching 45 mph after 1:00 p.m.  We managed to get in a good long hike, only having to deal with breezy-to-windy conditions toward the end of our trek.  Now, just before 2:00, the wind is really howling, and a bit of dust is stirring in the air.  We saw a few other outdoor enthusiasts west of Tortugas, one duo--a guy and his dog--really caught Becca's attention as we climbed a hill while bushwhacking.  The man and dog were on a nearby trail, and Becca was hoping for an invitation, but I kept her back.  It was 41F when we headed out this morning, and because there were abundant clouds and a constant breeze it felt colder than it actually was.  Not too cold for a long desert trek, though, and we enjoyed our morning out together immensely.

Massive clouds over the Robledos

Interesting clouds

Torrey Yuccas

Cactus Wren on a yucca saber

The sky looked different in different directions

Long view across the Chihuahuan Desert

Underway

Depth perception

Long view of Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains

Closer in

Even closer

Closer still

Lenticular clouds mean high winds aloft

Guess I'm trying to show the clouds over the mountains

The wind was just starting to get brisk

How about those clouds to the west?

Bingo!

Barrel Cactus, Prickly Pear and Creosote

Narrow arroyo west of Tortugas

Conditions for much of the hike

Alfred Hitchcock

I see another dog out here

Old Torrey Yuccas

Boo!

Above Torrey Yucca from a different perspective

White-winged Dove

Intersection of Tortugas and the Organs

Focusing on the sky again

Again

Road behind the lineworker program grounds

Dark desert

Is there a dog in this photo?

There she is

Trail west

White-winged Dove

Loggerhead Shrike

Sun highlighting sections of clouds

Tortugas and the rugged Organs

One last look at that sky to the west