To the Far Side

Becca sees two hikers with a dog

Becca and I drove around to the east side of Tortugas mountain for our Saturday morning hike; we do this often because the Sunset side of the mountain gets pretty crowded on the weekends, especially when the weather is nice.  It was 61F when we started off, and we're supposed to hit 91F today.

While we saw a few outdoor enthusiasts around back of the mountain--two women with a dog, a mountain biker and a solo hiker--we didn't have face-to-face encounters with any of them.  We did a moderately long trek with an extra long shade break for Becca at about the midway point.  She has a favorite spot in the shade of a yucca where she likes to lie down and take in the desert surroundings.  I don't mind waiting for her.

Prickly Pear

Trailing Four O'Clock

Chihuahuan Flax

Time for a long break

One of the best avian aviators:  Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture (Poster Edges filter)

Flowers are gone

Yucca fruit is here (what's that at top, left of center?)

Prickly Pear

Leafless Ocotillo getting its leaves

Becca leading the way back

Creosote Bushes are blooming everywhere

This Prickly Pear will be spectacular when those buds bloom

Raptor