Bad Air, Cold Breeze

In this & 4th image you get an idea of how bad the air was

As soon as Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I got out the door this morning we noticed how bad the air was.  Whether it was dust, gypsum from White Sands or smoke we couldn't say, but it was really bad.  Some of the images here show how polluted conditions were.

We did our normal hike and only saw three distant joggers on LDR, though we heard a few dogs barking quite a ways off.  Saw at least three Swainson's Hawks and one Black-chinned Hummingbird.

Our most notable sighting came when we spooked two Muledeer just west of Right Branch Arroyo; they bolted ahead of us nearby as I stopped to put my arms around both Willow and Frio, neither of whom seemed inclined to chase.  After the deer disappeared into the desert just east of us I bushwhacked over to see if I could spot them for a photo-op, but they were gone.

We took a short ride in various neighborhoods after the trek before heading home.

This & next:  Swainson's Hawk

Bad air

This & next:  Willow and Frio

Blackfoot Daisies

Ocotillo flower and buds

Soaptree Yucca with growing stalk

Tree of life

Claret Cup

Partially eaten Claret Cup

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Ocotillo torch