NY Eve

View from LDR-A arroyo

Although it was 30F just as we were starting the hike this morning the bright sunshine and absence of wind kept conditions bearable.  We followed the regular route during which we spotted no other outdoor enthusiasts in our section of desert.  Despite the cold earth Willow made sure to lie down in nearly all of her designated resting spots.

Wils on lead

View from the left branch arroyo

Wils off lead

Different perspective from the left branch

 

Post-Hike Raptor

Sunny this morning, but cold

27F when Dr. K, Willow and I went out this morning; I had to scrape ice off the CR-V windows before we got on the road.  There was a bit of frost out in the desert as well, especially in shady spots.  Apparently we were the only lunatics going for a hike this morning.  Because the sun shone brightly and there was no wind when we were following our regular route conditions didn't feel too bad.  Nevertheless, we were happy when the trek came to an end.  

Southwest

Frosted creosote bushes

View from the middle branch

Dr. K and Willow in the middle branch arroyo

View from the right branch

Big Hedgehog Cactus

Last 3:  Cooper's Hawk I photographed on the way home

 

Cold, Cloudy Day

This kind of morning

Dr. K, Willow and I were lucky to get in a hike before the rain started; during the entire trek it seemed as if the sky could open up at any second.  We saw one other nature lover and his dog while we were out there; most people, I guess, have the good sense to stay indoors on such a cold and gloomy morning.

Willow taking a break

Long root on separated prickly pear cactus pads

Picacho and environs

Dr. K and Willow in the right branch arroyo

Potrillo Mountains on the horizon

 

Sunday Sunshine

Picacho in the background

My weather app lied to me; it said it was cloudy this morning, but the sun was shining brightly when Dr. K, Willow and I did the daily trek.  While we descended LDR-A we spotted the Basset People and their hounds in the desert far to the northwest of us.  They were the only outdoor enthusiasts we saw during our outing.  We took a long drive down to and around the campus at New Mexico State University after our hike.

Flank of Tortugas Mountain

Doña Ana Mountains

Middle branch arroyo

Tortugas and the Organs

Wils

Clouds over the Organs

 

Nice Morning

Tortugas and the Organs

We've got a big change of weather coming in the next few days--with a slight chance of snow--but this morning was nearly perfect for Dr. K, Willow and me on the daily trek.  We heard, but never saw, Basset hounds out there today; we spotted no other nature enthusiasts while we followed our regular route.  Did a long drive after the outing as we often do on the weekend treks.

Picacho

This & next:  Picacho "Peak" and surroundings

Willow and our boots

Organ Mountains with San Augustin Peak

Willow leads the way

Tortugas and the Organs again

American Kestrel

Searching for Basset hounds

 

Better Air

View from the crossover trail

Better air and pleasant weather for our morning hike today; Dr. K, Willow and I were very appreciative.  We did our regular route without seeing any other nature lovers out and about; there weren't even any vehicles parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch corner lot.  Everybody's away for the holidays.

Willow on the crossover trail

Hedgehog

Looking northward down the right branch

 

Christmas Trek

Sky west

Early morning Christmas day hike for Dr. K, Willow and me.  We saw a red Jeep parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma 
Ranch corner lot, but didn't see the occupant(s).  Spotted no one else out and about today.  Mostly cloudy and a bit cool when we were following our regular route.  Took a long drive after the trek before heading home.

Willow heading down LDR-A

LDR-A

Baby double barrel cactus

Willow and Dr. K

Organ Mountains

Cactus crown

Dr. K and Wils

Last 2:  nearly identical views of Tortugas and the Organs