Friday Free-For-All

Soaptree Yucca at the side of LDR-A

We got an early start this morning, but not as early as the Basset people and their hounds who we spotted transiting 4210 hill far to the east of us.

They weren't the only nature enthusiasts we saw during our outing; three hikers (perhaps with a dog) were descending LDR southward, eventually climbing to the crest at the upper flatland road.

We did our usual trek with a bit of bushwhacking added on for distance.  It was much cooler this morning, but I wore a short-sleeve shirt and hiking shorts regardless.  I never felt cold due to bright sunlight and no wind.

Basset people and at least three hounds

Soaptree southwest of Tortugas Mountain

What's that look on Willow's face?

This & next:  Ocotillo flowers

This & next:  desert flora west of the Organ Mountains

Hedgehog and prickly pear

This & next:  barrel cacti

Soaptree Yucca (front) and Torrey Yucca

Prickly pear and shadow

Cloud

Creature

From the hill west of the right branch arroyo

 

Before the Winds Came

Ocotillo blossoms

We got a fairly early start this morning, saw the Basset people and their hounds while we descended LDR-A arroyo, saw a hummingbird when we reached the ancient Soaptree in the left branch arroyo.

From there we bushwhacked eastward to get some photos of a Swainson's Hawk we spotted atop the Torrey Yucca on 4210 hill; we had seen it early on and decided to approach the raptor.  Turns out there were two Swainson's Hawks on the hill.

After I got a few pics of Swainsy and companion we headed back to the left branch, got a drink at the ancient Soaptree and then finished our hike.

Old Yucca elata seed pod

Willow

This & next 3:  closing in on Swainsy

Black-chinned Hummingbird

This & next:  Dr. K and Willow

This & next 4:  One of two Swainson's Hawk we saw today

Willow in Soaptree Yucca shadow

This & next 3:  Ocotillo buds and blossoms

Last 3:  late-blooming Claret Cup

 

Hump Day Hawk

Tortugas and the Organs

We got a fairly early start this morning so it wasn't hot at all:  62F.  The cloud cover helped the temperature stay down while we were out there doing our regular hike.  The sun did finally break out toward the middle portion of the trek, but not enough to heat things up.

We didn't see any human nature enthusiasts while we were hiking, but we had the pleasure of spotting a Black-tailed Jackrabbit, a Swainson's Hawk and a Black-throated Sparrow.  I'll take those subjects over humans any day of the week.

This & next:  Soaptrees and the mountains

Organ Mountains

Tortugas and the Organs again

Soaptree Yucca

This & next 2:  Prickly Pear flowers

Willow in hot sand

Freddie the Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Soaptree Yucca alongside LDR-A

Let's get going

This & next 4:  Swainson's Hawk on yucca

Ocotillo flowers

Dr. K and Wils

Ocotillo in flower

This & next 2:  Black-throated Sparrow

Sand potato

Ocotillo in the right branch arroyo