Cool and Quite Overcast

Hill on the eastern side of LDR-A

A pretty heavy overcast blocked the sun during our entire hike this morning and everybody--Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I--appreciated it.

We did our usual trek today, not seeing any other nature enthusiasts out in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.

What we did see was our friend the Swainson's Hawk perched atop a yucca on the ridgeline west of the Organ Mountains.

Magdalena Peak in the distance

Ocotillos

This & next:  along the east/west cross trail

This & next 3:  Swainson's Hawk

Frio, Willow, Dr. K

Swainson's Hawk again

Southwest of Tortugas Mountain

Small Barrel Cactus with bud

Bud

Frio and Willow

This & next:  I've IDd this plant before, but no luck today

This & next:  long distance views of Tortugas and the Organs

The rest:  male Ladder-backed Woodpecker

 

Bit of a Respite

Soaptree Yucca fruit

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I got something of a respite this morning due to high cloud cover in the desert today.  Neither dog seemed inclined to lie down in their normal resting spots because the sun wasn't beating down on them.

We stopped nevertheless, providing water for whomever wanted it:  Frio, Willow, Dr. K and me.

After we got home Dr. K and I left almost immediately for Petsmart to buy supplies for the Heelers.

Prickly Pear pad bowl

Typical Chihuahuan Desert scene

Chihuahuan Earless Lizard

Frio and Willow in the right branch

Little, old mesquite

This & next:  Common Sagebrush Lizard

This & next:  Acacias in Right Branch Arroyo

The rest:  female Pyrrhuloxia

 

Cloud Cover and Breeze

Hill just west of LDR-A

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I were saved from suffering this morning by cloud cover and a slight breeze that ameliorated the heat; it felt noticeably better out there today.  Yesterday we reached a high of 108F.  Slated to reach only 102F this afternoon.

We did our usual hike with shade breaks for water, both of which the "O"s greatly appreciated.  Dr. K and I did, too, of course.

We didn't see any other nature lovers during our outing, but the fecal deposits along LDR-A suggested that the Basset Hounds and their people had already trekked that way.

This & next:  Desert Marigold

This & next:  same scene, slightly different perspective

This & next 3:  Willow and Frio

This & next:  same scene, different zoom

This & next:  same scene, different perspective

Tortugas (left) and the Organ Mountains