An East Side Sunday

This and the next 2:  noisy little Rock Wren

For the second day in a row Becca and I went over to the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain for a morning trek; this time Dr. K came with us.  The weather was beautiful--sunny and warm with only a slight breeze.  Because of a large organized run up on the Sierra Vista Trail many outdoor enthusiasts were forced down to Tortugas for their workouts, and we had several close encounters of the 3rd kind, even on the little-used side trail we often hike.  We talked to several trekkers, two men, both of whom were very pleasant.  They were headed clockwise around the mountain, so by the time we reached the outer loop we had the track to ourselves.  Becca, Dr. K and I had a swell time getting in some good exercise and enjoying the beauty of our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Becca behind the mountain again

Bishop Cap at left

Break time

Sparrow on yucca bayonet

Becca spots a hiker on the main trail

Up on the plateau

This rock has a patch of crystals

Closer look at the crystals, which look like quartz

Ocotillos and the distant Franklin Mountains

Clouds over the Organs

Lyreleaf Jewelflowers

Five-Needled Prickly Leaf (?) Thymophylla Pentachaeta

Has a thermal lifted that cloud? (see image above)

Dropping down into a valley

Organ Mountains

Organ Mountains

Another Rock Wren