Mountain T-day

1st 2:  Sacramento vistas

Low 40s when Dr. K, Willow and I headed for the forest behind the cabin on our morning hike, but pleasant; little wind and bright sunshine.  A few high clouds and contrails, the latter somewhat rare in the sky over this area.  Didn't really see any birds out there today, which was somewhat disappointing.

Willow and Dr. K ascending

Wils

This & next:  White Sands NP

Willow-eye view

Autumn leaves

White Sands NP again

 

Forest Fun

Mule deer doe on our property

Temperature was in the high 40s when Dr. K, Willow and I began our morning trek into the forest behind the cabin.  It was a little breezy at first, but that didn't last long.  Bright sunshine kept us quite warm.  Good day for photographing critters.  Willow, who was very well behaved during the outing, enjoyed herself immensely.

Does my butt look big?

Haynes Canyon at sunrise

Sacramento Mountains

Willow on the morning hike

Mountain woman descending

This & next:  Western Bluebird male

This & next:  Western Bluebird female

 

This & next: Northern Flicker who's been pecking at our house

Desert to Mountains

Willow on lead

Willow and I did a hike this morning before returning home to finish packing for a trip to our mountain cabin where we are now.

This & next:  Organ Mountains panorama

Organs from Baylor Canyon Road

Sacramento Mountains

Willow on our high country driveway

Last 2:  trees on our property

 

Monday Change-up

Willow and a barrel

It was a bit warmer for Dr. K, Willow and me on our morning hike.  We saw no other outdoor enthusiasts while we followed our regular route.  The change-up?  I went shopping at Albertsons today rather on my usual Tuesday partly to beat the Thanksgiving shopping-day blues.

Soaptree Yuccas west of the mountains

This & next:  Yellow-rumped Warbler

 

After the Wind

Cactus combo:  prickly pear, barrel and hedgehog

Last night's windstorm had completely abated by the time Dr. K, Willow and I left for our morning hike.  Despite a brief squall early the humidity didn't feel too high, and the bright sunshine kept us warm.  We saw three men hiking up LDR as we were heading down LDR-A arroyo, and, a bit later, we spotted the Basset People + 1 and their hounds on the ridge near 4200 hill.  The Bassets were barking constantly as they often do.

Southwest from LDR-A

Prickly pear, Soaptree Yuccas, ocotillo and the Organs

Funny cloud

Willow on the cross trail

Big cloud

Mesas west of the Rio Grande

Last 3:  panorama views

 

Kestrel Cousin

View of the mountains from the left branch arroyo

Another chilly morning for Dr. K, Willow and me on the daily hike; I wore an ear band and gloves the entire way due, primarily, to the cold wind that subsided somewhat when we headed up the left branch arroyo.  We did spot the Basset People far to the west of us, but saw nobody else.  Best part of the trek was the chance to photograph an American Kestrel.  Long drive after the outing to mail bills at the small post office.

Yuccas on a hill west of the Organs

This & next:  American Kestrel

Willow watching

This & next:  same American Kestrel as above

Barrel cactus and Tortugas Mountain