Basset Encounters of the 3rd Kind

1st 2:  sky at start

We were delayed slightly by heavy rain this morning; the thunder and lightning had Willow on edge.  We left for our daily hike slightly after 8.  Both Dr. K and I were wearing Marmot PreCip jackets, more to ward off the chill than to block rain.  Willow wore her regular coat.  We saw the Basset people walking up Tellbrook Road toward the mountains when we were heading to the trailhead, and we didn't see them again during our outing--until, that is, we were about to climb the steep hill west of the right branch arroyo.  Just as we started up one of the Bassets peered over the crest and started barking at us.  Mr. and Mrs. Basset and other hounds were not far behind, and Mr. called the hounds off.  He has the dogs pretty much under control so we never really worry about having an incident with them.

This & next:  flank of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

This & next:  barrel cactus loaded with fruit

Alert Willow in the left branch

Sunlit Picacho

This & next:  different perspectives of the same scene

 

Dark clouds north

From the upper flatland

Organ Mountains