Raptor Sighting

The second Torrey Yucca is bigger than the first

Becca and I got a relatively early start on an extra long hike this morning, and we were out there for a good spell before spotting other people.  On our way back up the trail to the high foothills we encountered three hikers--two women and a man--who looked prepared to trek around the entire mountain.  The man was very friendly, half-determined to get Becca over to him for an ear scratch, but I said, "She'll probably ignore you."  He said to her, "Are you that kind of dog?"  A moment later, as she walked away from him, he said, "I guess you are."  We all had a laugh.  Our most interesting sighting was of the juvenile Cooper's Hawk pictured below.  We first saw it on one of the practice poles over at the Lineworker school grounds, and then again as we were heading back on the final leg of our trek.  The hawk was flying down the arroyo hunting for breakfast, but I failed to get a photo of it in flight.

Elegant Soaptree Yucca

Becca the bushwhacker

This and the next 2:  juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Some of these Hedgehog Cactus stems are 12" tall

Sun behind a yucca

White-winged Dove

Moon above dove in an Ocotillo

Moon and dove

Two identical images, the first with smart fix

Sans smart fix

Do those hikers behind us have a dog?

Heading northwest

Soaptree Yuccas and a Torrey Yucca

Some mythical beast?

Hiking the trail to the top