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Sunday, May 5, 2019

Near Side Exploration

First 2:  Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus
Dr. K was eager to see the countless cacti blooming on the west side of Tortugas Mountain, so she, Becca and I did an early morning hike on the Sunset Area side; not surprisingly, because it's the weekend, there were quite a few other outdoor enthusiast on and about the mountain when we arrived.  Oddly, though, we only crossed paths with a few--a mountain biker and several hikers during our excursion.

Although warm, the conditions were nice enough to allow for a very pleasant trek here in our section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert; and, as you can see, there were plenty of Strawberry Hedgehog Cacti in bloom.  As usual, I took way too many photos of these gorgeous plants because I'm unable to limit myself to snapping images of only a few.  Is there such a thing as a "surfeit of beauty"?

Devil's Head with a small flower

Prickly Pear Cactus

Becca approaching a Strawberry Hedgehog

The Hedgehog

I had to scramble off trail to get this photo of the Strawberry Hedgehog

Whitethorn Acacia-most aromatic flower in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

This and all like-colored that follow:  Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus









Flank of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Why is Dr. K so small?

This and next:  these cacti are blooming all over the west side of the mountain







Mockingbird

Castor and Pollux

Leading the way back

Look at this poor bunny's left ear

1 comment:

Dr. K said...

I can't believe the beauty of the Strawberry Hedgehog cacti. What a treat to see so many today.

Low Country and then High

This & next:  Pyrrhuloxia (aka Desert Cardinal) Willow and I did our regular hike this morning, returning afterward to finish packing fo...