More Claret Cups

Mormon Tea buds

Dr. K, Willow and I had a good hike this morning; weather conditions were just right:  sunny, warm, no wind.  While we descended LDR-A we saw Two-White-Dogs-Lady in the desert far north of us; a moment later she and her pups were bushwhacking westward.  They were the only nature enthusiasts we spotted out there today.  The wind is supposed to get brutal tomorrow so we hope we can get in an early morning hike to avoid the blowing dust and sand.

Desert Cardinal

Batgirl

This & next 3:  more Claret Cups

Faxon Yucca

White Tackstem

Faxon Yucca with Cactus Wren nest

This & next 2:  even more Claret Cups

Faxon Yucca

 

Claret Cups and Yucca Blossoms

There's a dove in this photo

Back to the lower desert and the regular hike for Dr. K, Willow and me.  Away in the mountains for four days we were surprised to discover on our return that the Claret Cup Hedgehog Cacti were in bloom; also the Faxon Yuccas had put their flower stalks up even higher.  When we first started out this morning we saw the Basset people and their hounds on LDR-A ahead of us, but we never got close enough for any interaction.

This & next:  Faxon Yucca with Cactus Wren nest

Three yuccas in bloom

This & next 3:  Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus in bloom

 

Mormon Tea flower buds

Willow on break

Willow and Dr. K

Our favorite yucca has two heads

This & next 2:  more Claret Cups

This & next:  Cactus Wren yucca from the other side

Last 2:  Claret Cups

High Country Weather

Weather this morning

Cloudy, chilly and windy this morning for our trek; nevertheless we took our usual high country hike before going back to the cabin and packing for our trip to the lower desert, where we are now.  Got a little rain during our drive down the mountain.

Willow leading the forest bushwhack

Near the top of our little mountain

Meh

Haynes Canyon

These roads are not connected

 

New Bird

Willow looking down our road

We decided that we'd do another forest hike behind our cabin rather than doing a Rim Trail trek this morning.  One fortunate result of that decision was encountering a bird we'd not seen here in the past:  a Juniper Titmouse.  After our outing we all piled into the CR-V and drove up to Cloudcroft on a water run; we bought eight gallons of drinking water at Family Dollar.  Luckily a huge delivery of H2O was just being delivered.

This & next 2:  Sacramento Mountains view

Pine

You coming?

Gap

Juniper

High Rolls Mountain Park

Last 2:  Juniper Titmouse