Robin Hoodess

For some reason I wasn't in the mood to take many pictures this morning, but I did capture this shot of a masked bandit on a desert road.
Clouds were building over Tortugas Mountain, and they provided an interesting backdrop for the old observatory.

These clouds over the mountain look somewhat ominous, but they won't result in any rain today.

East Side Hike II

Two snakes slept side by side here.
Closeup of the left crop circle shows the inner ridge that defines the outline of the snake's body.
If you're thinking "snake," a peripheral glimpse of this stick might make you jump.
Snake tracks in the sandy bottom soil near a major arroyo.

The arroyo (foreground) and a road leading over a desert hill; Organ Mountains in the background.

East Side Hike

Research Associate Becca and I were out early on the Tortugas Mountain trail, Monte Vista side. These are some of the beautiful sights we saw. This tenacious Prickly Pear Cactus is growing directly out of the top of a craggy boulder.
Suddenly appearing over a rock-strewn ridge, this hawk grabbed our attention.
Even though the tail doesn't show it, this raptor is a Red-Tailed Hawk. It hung in a stiff breeze--like a low-flying kite--hunting for breakfast.
Looking back toward the Organ Mountains, we were rewarded with this vista.

Sturdy cave dog surveys her surroundings.

Artsy Shots

Today I was snapping a few photos here on the grounds of COC just for their artistic effects. Here is a juxtaposition of a Variegated Agave and a Century Plant.
The seemingly spineless pads of the Blind Prickly Pear cactus.
Closeup of the complex structure of a Finger Cholla.

And Brer Rabbit relaxing under a creosote bush.

Fall in the Desert

Today is the first full day of Autumn, and one might legitimately ask whether the desert displays Fall colors. Absolutely. Here's an example.

And another.

Obviously these colors aren't as spectacular as in other places in the country, but if you're in the desert mountains--the "sky islands"--you'll definitely see colors that will rival those of any place on Earth.

Research Associate Becca and I were struck by the round, plate-like appearance of this Prickly Pear pad.

Here's a wide mat of purple flowers, with a yellow flower or two thrown in for good measure.

On the NMSU grounds there is a lineman school, where students learn about telephone pole-ism.

Flowers and Views

Here are a few flowers growing on the grounds at COC. Geraniums in a pot.
Sunflowers growing wild.
A volunteer(?) growing between paving bricks.
Tortugas Mountain in the distance.

Telephoto shot of the "A" on Tortugas Mountain, the old observatory and the shrine (red object).

Rattlesnake!

We were on the east side of Tortugas Mountain, on the far side of the loop, heading back toward the mountain when Research Associate Becca stumbled upon this baby rattler basking in the sun. She walked right up to it and almost touched her nose to the serpent. I had to pull her back, cautioning her of the danger. But Baby Ratt gave no warning rattle, and she didn't even bother to rattle once while I stood there photographing her. What a model subject! How about the way she blends into the desert floor?



A face only a mother could love.
Can you find the rattle?
We made a detour to get around to the other side of her and took this photo.

She turned her head to say "Adios." Notice the texture of her skin.