Blustery Morning

Before hitting the trail

Boy did I misjudge the weather this morning; I was well under dressed for rough conditions.  I wore a vest and my Marmot PreCip, choosing to bring no gloves nor earband along.  It felt freezing out there beneath heavy overcast and powerful wind.

It was just Willow and me hiking today as Dr. K had a meeting to attend.  The Wilster and I did the usual trek, pausing (but not for long) every so often for a photo-op.  For whatever reason the wind never seems as strong in the left branch arroyo, and we took our time heading up it.

When we ascended the right branch arroyo, however, and climbed out over the hill to the west the wind was whipping again.  Both of us were happy to hop inside the CR-V and revel in its wind-sheltering warmth.

Swainson's Hawk flying like a kite

Hint of rainbow (center right_

This & next:  sky to the southwest

This & next 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  Picacho

This & next:  Tortugas and the cloudy Organs

Barrel from a distance

Barrel close-up

Mountain tops (Doña Anas)

Pattern on rock

This & next 3:  Claret Cups

Willow

Hill west of the Organs

Claret Cup on the hill east of Right Branch Arroyo