Green New Day

Hill just east of LDR-A

A cool, consistent breeze made the morning quite bearable for Dr. K, Willow and me as we hiked our regular route today.  We took a lot of shade breaks, nonetheless, and drank water at one of them--in the shadow of the ancient Soaptree Yucca.  It's hard to describe how the brilliant green of the recently leafed-out ocotillos make such a difference in the perception of how dry our drought-plagued desert really is.

Ocotillos between here and the mountains

Ocotillo and the western flank of Tortugas Mountain

Looking through one

Ocotillos in the upper middle branch arroyo

Willow in full ocotillo shadow

This & next:  upper middle branch

Between here and Tortuga

Dr. K and Willow in the lower right branch arroyo

 

A Warmer Sunday

Ocotillo

Even warmer than yesterday on this Sunday morning in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert; Dr. K, Willow and I did the regular route.  We saw nobody else out there.  After the trek we drove over to our local Circle K to gas up the CR-V, and then we took a long ride around various nearby neighborhoods.

This & next:  another Texas horned lizard

Rain-scoured LDR-A arroyo

Barrel Cactus and two ocotillos

The upper left branch arroyo

Willow in ocotillo shadow

Very green ocotillo

Last 2:  me in front of a tall ocotillo

 

Sudden Greenery

1st 3:  recent rain has caused the ocotillos to green out

It was definitely much hotter in the desert when Dr. K, Willow and I did our morning trek.  The outstanding feature of today's hike was the myriad of ocotillos that had leafed out overnight from recent rains.  It looked like a totally different environment due to the greenery.  Also of note was the Texas horned lizard we encountered on our way down the LDR-A arroyo.  Love those critters.

This & next 2:  Texas horned lizard

One of our favorite ocotillos

Ocotillos between the left and middle branch arroyos

Willow in partial ocotillo shadow

Old Curved Bill hiding in ocotillo

 

Fairly Cool Morning

1st 3:  sky over ocotillos

Despite a good bit of humidity the morning was cool for Dr. K, Willow and me as we hiked our regular route.  After the outing we drove to the small post office on Union, and on the way home we made a detour into Tortugas Pueblo so I could take a few photos of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Northeast down the middle branch arroyo

Willow in the lead on lead

This & next:  Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tortugas Pueblo

Notice the dog in front

Last 2:  Crape (or crepe) Myrtle

 

Ants and Red Velvet Mites

Red Velvet Mite

The ants were out in large numbers again this morning as were the Red Velvet Mites.  Recent heavy rain has made conditions right for these insects.  Not surprisingly one name for Red Velvet Mites is "rain bugs."  They're usually out after the monsoon storms get started.  The other thing most apparent on the daily trek for Dr. K, Willow and me was the extra high humidity.  There's probably a pretty good chance for more rain this afternoon.

Ancient Soaptree in the left branch arroyo

Willow leading Dr. K up the left branch arroyo

Red Velvet Mite

An odd find in the desert

A male Scott's Oriole

Dr. K with Willow on break

Red Velvet Mites (Trombidiidae)

Looking down on the right branch arroyo

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs