America's Smallest Falcon

Black-throated Sparrow in an Ocotillo

Up to Second Arroyo and back this morning on a beautiful day in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  We encountered on the inbound leg the woman whose dog "goes off" when it sees our two Heelers, but that didn't happen.  We got Willow and Frio off the trail, gave them the signal not to misbehave and fed them treats until the woman and her pooch passed.  She thanked us for standing aside.  None of the dogs snarled or barked, which was a definite sign of progress.  Probably two steps back in the coming days.

The only other person we saw out there today was a young woman riding a horse and towing another alongside the first.  She rode down into the arroyo and turned west.  But by the time we got the Heelers in the CR-V and were just about to leave the woman equestrian with spare horse was passing by, getting ready to cross Tellbrook.  We waved to each other.

Desert flora

Soaptree Yucca seed pod partially filled with sand

Inside Second Arroyo

Fab Four

Moon launch

This and the next 2:  Willow and Frio

Tortugas Mountain Observatory

This and the next:  American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Prickly Pear cactus

Tellbrook Arroyo

This and the next:  cell phone equestrian with extra horse