 |
| House Finch |
We did the usual route, adding no extra mileage because Dr. K was fatigued from her trip and the two weeks away helping her sister, Caroline, out after Caroline's surgery.
After the trek we drove over to our local Circle K to gas up the CR-V, and then we took a normal drive around several different neighborhoods just for the hell of it.
 |
| Jungle |
 |
| Dried seed pods of a Soaptree Yucca |
 |
| Flank of Tortugas |
 |
| We four |
 |
| Down the middle branch |
 |
| Organ Mountains |
I didn't extend the trek like I have been doing recently due to the inclement weather. All of us seemed satisfied with the length of today's outing.
Drove straight home after the hike in order to get into the cozy warmth of our desert abode.
 |
| This & next 3: the "O"s |
 |
| Ancient Soaptree Yucca in the left branch arroyo |
 |
| "O"s again |
 |
| Headed down the middle branch |
 |
| Triple barrel, Soaptree Yucca and the mountains |
 |
| This & next 2: a long view |
 |
| View of Tortugas and the Organs from the right branch |
 |
| The most we saw of the sun this morning |
 |
| Moon over yucca |
At one point Frio and I descended into a large arroyo and Willow didn't come with us; she was still following the ridge. When I whistled she came running, a bit too fast for my liking.
From there we bushwhacked back over to the left branch arroyo and followed our usual route to the waiting CR-V.
 |
| This & next 2: Soaptree Yucca and Organ Mountains |
 |
| Frio, Soaptree Yucca and the mountains |
 |
| This & next 2: the "O"s |
 |
| Morning moon |
 |
| Prickly Pear, barrel cactus and yucca |
 |
| Prickly heart |
 |
| B&W desert |
 |
| View from LDR-A arroyo |
Later, as we walked the high ridgeline along the hills west of the Organ Mountains both Frio and Willow kept staring down into the valley as if they were seeing the deer, but I saw nothing. I even took a photo of the area hoping I could spot the deer later when we got home. No dice.
We got a good, long hike in today replete with much bushwhacking. The "O"s were off lead for nearly the duration and they enjoyed themselves mightily.
 |
| Headed to the top of this hill |
 |
| Hedgehog Cactus |
 |
| Willow and Frio reach the crest |
 |
| The long view from the top of the hill |
 |
| Desert flora |
 |
| Desert between here and the Organs |
 |
| "O"s kept staring down there |
 |
| Looking southwest from the hilltop |
 |
| This & next: looking west over the "O"s |
 |
| Long view of Tortugas and the Organs |
 |
| Closer look at the mountains |
 |
| Soaptree and the mountains |
 |
| Hill west of the Organs |
 |
| Frio tooling along |
 |
| The "O"s |
We did the Basset trail essentially in reverse, bushwhacking east across the desert to the hill closest the Tellbrook Arroyo; from there we followed the ridgeline south until we decided to descend into an arroyo. On the way down we spotted a curious coyote monitoring our progress.
It's obvious he was unperturbed by our presence. He stayed at a safe distance watching our moves. I took many photos of him, posting the best here. He was still lying in the same spot when we headed west to hook up with the left branch arroyo.
 |
| Action! |
 |
| Frio wants to go that way |
 |
| Ocotillo and the mountains |
 |
| Yuccas and the Organs |
 |
| Frio and Willow |
 |
| The long view |
 |
| This & next: "O"s on a hill |
 |
| Tortugas and the Organs |
 |
| We're being watched |
 |
| Bushwhacking through here |
 |
| Roll out the barrels |
 |
| Coyote in this image, and you'll not find it |
 |
| The rest: our coyote friend |
Willow's look back We were at or below freezing (32F) last night, and, boy, did it feel like that this morning. Add a strong persistent...
