Winged Things

Fall colors on an Ocotillo branch

Got an early start on a morning hike that involved some major bushwhacking and then exploration of one of the main arroyos that drains the west side of Tortugas Mountain.  This arroyo is always fun to trek through because its sandy bottom reveals countless footprints of the wild animals that use it as a corridor.

Being alone in the outback always raises the hope of seeing some larger mammals--deer, coyotes, foxes--but I was disappointed again today.  Didn't even hear any coyotes yipping at one another like I did starting off the other day.

I did see and hear many birds in the desert, and I delighted in their beautiful songs.  The Loggerhead Shrike I photographed wasn't singing, though, because he had breakfast in his mouth.

Yuccas

A female House Finch

Loggerhead Shrike with breakfast

Dragonfly

This and the next 3:  exploring a large arroyo west of the mountain

Soaptree Yuccas

This and the next:  Cactus Wren

This and the next:  desert flora in a wide arroyo

Pale moon

This and the next:  small Ocotillo with yellow leaves

Bend in the road