Sunday's Trickster Sighting

Heelers running loose

A man with several loose dogs was heading down LDR while we were descending LDR-A, and to ensure we didn't encounter them we bushwhacked eastward across the desert through the right branch and middle branch arroyos.

As we were nearing the left branch Dr. K spotted several coyotes on the ridge east and above us.  I was able to photograph one.  Willow saw the coyotes, but Frio didn't.  Since our dogs were loose I put them back on lead.  Our canines didn't show any inclination to chase so I let them back off lead.

We did a bit more bushwhacking after that, and we discovered a four-foot barrel cactus that was leaning nearly to the ground.  Usually when they fall it seems like the end of their run; I've never seen a downed barrel erupting into suckers the way other cacti do.  I could be wrong, though.

Little Allthorn tree in foreground

This & next:  Hedgehog Cactus

This & next 2:  one of two Coyotes on a ridge east of us

Barrel Cactus and the long view

Soaptree Yucca and Tortugas Mountain

Torrey Yucca in front, Soaptree Yuccas behind

This & next:  the "O"s

Soaptree and the Organs

Prickly Pear

Triple barrel cactus

Soaptree Yucca

3-foot barrel cactus

4-foot barrel cactus leaning badly

This & next 3:  same barrel cactus as above

Frio and Willow