Black-throated Sparrow

View from LDR-A arroyo

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did our usual hike this morning.  With the exception of the fine specimen of a Black-throated Sparrow we saw no one of interest.

I'm late posting this afternoon because I spent a good deal of time after we got back searching for the OBD2 port on the inside of the 2015 CR-V, and still couldn't find it despite researching its location.  I'll try again later this afternoon.  Just wanted to do a diagnostic check of the vehicle before I take it back into Borman Honda for service.

Looking southwest from Left Branch Arroyo

Barrel-Cactus-eating Soaptree Yucca

Willow leading Frio down the middle branch

Allthorn

Frio and Willow relaxing

Torrey Yuccas

Light and shadow on the Organs

Way up in the right branch

Last 2:  Black-throated Sparrow

 

Monday Solo with Heelers

Three wise men

Willow, Frio and I did our usual hike alone this morning while Dr. K went grocery shopping.

The Heelers were a bit feisty all the way down LDR-A arroyo, but settled once we turned toward the Organs on the east/west cross trail.

They were fine the rest of the way, especially when I let them off lead in the Middle Branch Arroyo.

We saw nor heard anybody else while we were out there today.

This & next:  Frio and Willow

Tortugas and the Organs

Grass and Ocotillos

 

Hello Warmth

Soaptree Yucca and the Organ Mountains

The problem with warmer weather is it brings the nature enthusiasts out on a Sunday morning; that was the case today.  First person we saw was a woman sitting in the mouth of LDR-A arroyo doing art (we think).  We exchanged greetings.

Then we saw a man, woman and dog bushwhacking west to east in the desert north of us.  They crossed LDR and disappeared into the brush.  After that we spotted Mr. and Mrs. Basset hiking with their hounds down a ridgeline just to the east of us.

Four or five vehicles were parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch corner lot, and we saw one individual from that group standing on a ridge stationary for quite a while.

Despite the "crowd" we had a good time on our daily trek, reveling in the warmer weather.  Afterward we drove over to our local Circle K to fuel the CR-V.

LDR-A and LDR in the distance

Organ Mountains

Curve-billed Thrasher

Willow and Frio

Same Curve-billed Thrasher as above

This & next:  clouds over the Organs

This & next:  Frio and Willow

Last 2:  Willow and Frio at rest

 

A Nice Change

1st 2:  morning clouds

It was about 30F when we began hiking this morning, but conditions warmed pleasantly; bright sunshine and no wind contributed greatly to the nice weather.  In short order I removed my gloves and earband.

We did our normal trek and only saw other hikers when we were on our way up Right Branch Arroyo; Mrs. and Mr. Basset were hiking north along the ridge west of the Organ Mountains with their hounds.

After our outing we took a short ride around several different neighborhoods just to look around.

Frio, Willow, Dr. K

Early morning hot-air ballooning

Across the Mesilla Valley

This & next:  Organ Mountains with clouds

Frio and Willow

Last 3:  hikers with Basset Hounds

 

Another Frigid Morning

1st 2:  Curve-billed Thrasher

23F with a windchill of 17F when we started off this morning; a cold wind added to the discomfort level.  What saved us from being as frozen as we were yesterday morning was the absence of clouds and the presence of bright sunshine.

We did our normal route today, and afterwards we returned home, gave treats to the Os, and then I drove the 2015 CR-V over to Borman Honda to have some work done on it:  basic tune-up, brake inspection/service and an oil change.  Dr. K drove over to pick me up in her 2018 CR-V.

Willow and Frio heading down LDR-A

Soaptree Yuccas & the long view of Tortugas and the Organs

An even longer view

 

Absolutely Freezing

Looking northward at Tortugas and the Organs

25F with a windchill of 20F when we started off down LDR-A this morning.  A stiff wind and no sun made conditions almost unbearable.

Our only hope for doing a normal hike lay in the sheltered area from the east/west cross trail to Right Branch Arroyo.  Even there, though, the wind found us, but not quite as forcefully as at the beginning of our trek.

We managed to do the entire route, but Dr. K and I were thankful for the protection of the CR-V when we finally all piled inside for the short ride home.  Heelers would gladly have stayed out in the desert all morning.

Clouds to the south

Clouds westerly

Colors

This & next 2:  interesting cloud patterns

Frio, Willow and Dr. K

Clouds over the Organs

Area of nearly no clouds