Getting a Jump on Spring

On the ridge west of Tortugas Mountain

Becca and I took a moderately long hike west of Tortugas Mountain this morning hoping to beat the strong winds in the forecast for later today; in fact, they have just started big time now (11:20), but, fortunately, we're no longer out in the elements.  Becca did fine on our outing, no sign of the slight limp I saw yesterday.

I was surprised to find a Torrey Yucca beginning to bloom, and even more surprising was the condition of the yucca; its trunk was almost completely on the ground, and it very much seemed like an old-timer.  Lyreleaf Jewelflowers are still blooming all over the desert, so much more abundant than I've ever seen here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  We saw a few other hikers out there this morning, and the parking lot at the Sunset Area was completely full when we got back to Whitey the CR-V.  Guess everybody had the same idea about beating the winds.

Lyreleaf Jewelflowers blooming all over the desert

Not sure what this is

White-winged Dove with a puffed throat from cooing

Same dove

Does this eye shadow work for me?

Hiking along the ridge line

Surveying the territory

Fendler's Bladderpod

If I was driving golf balls from the mountaintop I wouldn't use this brand

Becca spots somebody on the mountain

Sandy section of Chihuahuan Desert

Soaptree yucca pod

Dead yucca trunk

I admit to adding the mouth

Surprised to find a Torrey Yucca blooming

Closer look at the flowers

Another angle

Surprisingly, this is the yucca that's blooming

Even closer look at the flowers

Practice poles at the Lineworker Program's grounds

Spectacle Pod

Soaptree Yucca

Cactus Wren

This and the rest:  female House Finch