Exuberant, Feisty, Rambunctious

Probably a large dog:  I think I see evidence of toenails

Not sure why Willow and Frio were so darned exuberant this morning, but they could hardly wait to get out of the CR-V to start our trek.  There were many animal tracks in the moist sand, and Willow, especially, had a field day with the scents.

We did our normal hike today, and the Heelers were unusually feisty, veering this way and that in their attempt to make me feel like a geriatric puppet master.  They did a good job.

Things went downhill fast when a desert cottontail erupted from a bush just a few feet in front of Willow.  Both she and Frio reacted immediately, and I had to exert maximum control to keep them in check.  The sighting made them totally rambunctious as they struggled to pursue the critter even after it had disappeared into the desert brush.

Despite the distractions we all enjoyed a good hike this morning.

Prickly Pear, Soaptrees and the Organ Mountains

This & next:  Soaptree with a fallen, crooked stalk

Frio and Willow leading the way down LDR-A arroyo

Chihuahuan Desert flora

Yuccas and the Organ Mountains

Frio and Willow

Ocotillo on a ridge

Deer tracks in Right Branch Arroyo

Deadwood otra vez

Mesquite seed pods

This & next:  same small tree

The long view from Right Branch Arroyo