Calm Saturday

Interesting clouds this morning

It was pretty pleasant when Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I began our morning hike, and the weather conditions stayed nice throughout.

We did our usual trek, and though we heard a dog bark once during our outing, we never saw it nor anyone else.

Spotted an American Kestrel while descending LDR-A arroyo and took quite a few photos of it; and then later, while climbing up Left Branch Arroyo, I saw what was, perhaps, the same kestrel and took a few more pics of it.

After our hike we took a long, enjoyable ride around several different neighborhoods eventually leading back to our own.

American Kestrel

Same clouds as above

Clouds over the Organ Mountains

This & next:  same kestrel as the one above?

American Kestrel, aka "Sparrow Hawk"

Hill west of the Organ Mountains

Horsetail clouds

Picacho and environs

Organ Mountains

Frio and Willow

 

Slight Rain Delay

1st 3:  views from LDR-A arroyo

Slept through the weather report last night and missed the forecast for overnight rain.  It was still raining when we got up this morning, and the precipitation briefly delayed our departure.

Although it was cloudy and wet when we did our daily trek it didn't feel particularly cold due to the mid-40s temperature, lack of wind and high humidity.

We made it through our outing without a drop of rain falling upon the four amigos.

Willow and Frio on the east/west cross trail

This & next:  long view of Tortugas and the Organs

View from Middle Branch Arroyo

Waiting for treats

The rest:  extra long view of Tortugas and the cloudy Organs

 

Cool Clouds

Unless otherwise captioned, all are cool clouds

Dr. K had an appointment this morning so it was the three amigos on the daily hike.

We did our usual route, and the Heelers were excellent throughout.

We saw nobody until we were pulling onto Tellbrook Road from the upper flatland; just across the street were Mr. and Mrs. Basset and their five (six?) hounds.  Mr. Basset and I waved to each other.

This & next:  Frio and Willow

Soaptree Yuccas

 

Heavy Overcast

All but the last:  heavy overcast in the desert today

Although it wasn't cold in the desert when we started off this morning, and not even a slight breeze disturbed the calm air, there was no sunshine to warm the environs.

We did our usual trek without seeing any other nature lovers, though we thought we heard the dirty Bassets a couple of times.

Though conditions weren't unpleasant we were glad to hop back into the CR-V after the hike and head home.

Frio and Willow

 

Solo With Heelers

1st 2:  Vistas from LDR-A arroyo

Dr. K went shopping this morning, and I went on a hike with the Heelers.  We followed our usual route, and both Frio and Willow were very well behaved.

The temp when we started off was 31F, but it didn't feel freezing.  The sun shone brightly and there was nary a breeze to be had.  I never donned gloves nor my earband.

We didn't see anybody out there until we had scaled the hill west of Right Branch Arroyo, and then I spotted a guy walking up the south side of Tellbrook Road.  Heelers never saw him.

B&W Organs X

Frio and Willow

Ballet

Heelers

This & next:  Willow and Frio

The long view

Homes on the range

Frio and Willow

This & next:  Soaptree Yucca stalks and Soaptree

ACDs

Organ Mountains