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Looking west from the outer loop road |
Not long after I began bushwhacking west off the outer loop road I spotted a raptor over half a mile away, perched on a tall Torrey Yucca. It stayed there while I hiked (generally) in its direction. When I came abreast of it--about 200 yards away--I made the decision to try sneaking up on the hawk (whick looked to be a Red-tailed) for a better photo. As often happens it decided not to let me get too close; so the three images here were the best I got.
Not long after retracing my steps to the ridge I'd been trekking along I spotted another desert denizen, a coy Coyote who was scoping me out. She was ambling down a hill toward the major arroyo that runs out of Tortugas Mountain's west face, and, for whatever reason, I decided to try following her. She wasn't moving very quickly, but I knew exactly what would happen: what happens every time I follow a Trickster. She led me down into a copious growth of Chihuahuan Desert riparian flora before disappearing completely. I climbed the hill on the opposite side of the arroyo thinking I might catch a final glimpse of the canid, but no such luck.
There were other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain early this morning; in fact, I bumped into one just after exiting Whitey the CR-V, my buddy Raymond. He and I trekked partway up the mountain together, palavering all the way. I hadn't seen him in a long time. When I mentioned that to him, he said, "Since October." I had no idea it had been that long.
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Spotted this raptor (probably a Red-tailed Hawk) over 1/2 mile away |
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Desert between here and Tortugas Mountain (Organ Mountains beyond) |
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I knew this would happen if I tried sneaking up on that hawk |
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Last I saw of this raptor |
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Look who I spotted while bushwhacking |
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She turned tail and slowly walked away |
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Will he follow me? |
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That come-hither stare |
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I'm headed this way |
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Last I saw of her |
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Outer loop road heading south |
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This and the next: same Torrey Yucca (a big one) |
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Starting to bushwhack back |
1 comment:
I really the photos of the Trickster, especially the last one where you're looking at her/him through the ocotillo branches.
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