Half Hike

Northwest down LDR-A

Because we keep thinking we might be doing Willow a disservice by taking her on the longer regular hike we decided right from the get-go that we'd shorten this morning's trek; so we halved it.  She did fine on the shorter version.  Dr. K and I did, too.  We've got some humidity in the atmosphere that seems to be boosting the discomfort level quite noticeably.  Hate to wish months away, but we're already pining for some autumn weather.

Dayflower

Soaptree Yucca fruit

Wils on break

Desert Marigold flowers

Dr. K and Willow in the right branch

Dainty Sulphur

West of the Organ Mountains

 

Birds and Butterfly

This & next 2:  Sleepy Orange

It was another brutal morning for Dr. K, Willow and me out in the desert.  We followed our regular route making plenty of stops so Willow could lie in the shade.  Doesn't seem like our little hiking heeler is enjoying these treks on extra hot days; to be honest Dr. K and I aren't enjoying them very much either.  Our only alternative is to head for the high country to hike, but it's been pretty toasty up there as well.

Bee (impressionism)

Wils

Black-throated Sparrow (juvenile)

This & next:  White-winged Dove on ocotillo branch

 

Enmity

Tortugas Mountain and the Organ Mountains

It was already hot out there for the morning hike; 81F at 8:14 a.m.  Despite the heat, Dr. K, Willow and I did the entirety of our regular route.  The most interesting sight today was the Swainson's Hawk being pestered by a mockingbird who didn't approve of the raptor's presence; the aggressor kept at it until the hawk flew off.  By the time we finished the trek we were all ready to hop into the CR-V, turn the air conditioning on full blast and take a long drive to cool off, which we did.

Bushwhacking east of LDR-A

White-thorn Acacia and a tall ocotillo

Willow in yucca shadow

This Swainson's Hawk landed in the wrong place

This & next 5:  a mockingbird took issue with the hawk

 

Same Swainson's Hawk

Western Kingbird

A Shorty

A male Gambel's Quail

We cut the hike short this morning due to brutal conditions; it was hot and humid with little breeze.  Neither Dr. K, Willow nor I were enjoying ourselves.  There just didn't seem to be a valid reason to stay out there for the entire trek.  We took a short drive after our outing reveling in the CR-V's air conditioning.

Willow in partial shadow

Northish

Western Kingbird

Blackfoot Daisies

Hazy, hot, humid

Willow and Dr. K in the right branch arroyo

Black-throated Sparrow

 

Different Route

Bishop Cap (right) in the Organ Mountains

Because a passenger car was broken down right at the beginning of LDR-A we chose to drive around to the south side of Tellbrook and hike a trail we've done several times in the past.  It's a relatively flat area so we didn't have to do much climbing or descending.  Because it felt so hot and humid this morning we did only a short section of the route, opting to get out of the blazing sun as soon as possible.  Neither Dr. K, Willow or I minded the early end to the trek.

Tortugas and the Organs from a different perspective

Really long dirt road (part 1)

Really long dirt road (part 2)

Looking south toward the gap

Willow enjoying a new route

This & next:  same ocotillo, different edit

Heading south

Dogweed

 

Favorable Conditions

Adonis Blazingstar

Even though it was in the high 70s low 80s at the start of our morning hike Dr. K, Willow and I lucked out in terms of the weather.  There were high clouds obscuring the sun most of the way and a slight breeze helped with evaporative cooling.  We saw the Pickup-Truck-Lady's truck, but never saw her nor her dog.  Couldn't spot any other nature enthusiasts out there today.  Considering how hot it's been of late who can blame people for staying out of the elements?

Just getting started

Weather to the southwest

Desert Unicorn-plant

Smiling Dr. K and a distracted Willow

This & next:  Desert Cardinal

This & next:  Texas Skeleton Plant (Lygodesmia texana)

Willow near the ancient Soaptree Yucca

Lizyphus (Greater Earless Lizard)

White-thorn Acacia