Sierra Vista Trail

Becca and I went for a hike in the high-desert foothills of the Organ Mountains this morning. Here's an example of how things look up there--lots of native grasses.

The vast expanse of desert all the way to Bishops Cap (right).

Interesting clouds over the Organs.

Up close and personal with the beautiful mountains.

You can easily see all of Tortugas Mountain from up here.

Long Ramble

This morning we went from the east side of Tortugas, around the back of the mountain, and over to the far west side. On the way, Becca had to take a break in the shadow of a yucca.
The vast expanse of desert to the northeast of Tortugas.

From the west side of the mountain, looking back to the mountain's flank and the Organs in the background.

Posing For Pics

Research Associate Becca likes nothing better than to star in the blog. Here she is posing on the east side of Tortugas.

This section of the Organ Mountains looks like a canine jaw bone.

Mr. Loggerhead Shrike.

A long stretch of desert meets the mountains.

"What's keeping you, Packrat?"

Cool-Down's A-comin'

Looking a few days into the future, the temperature is supposed to return to normal--the 60s. Good thing, too. We don't want to rush into spring and summer in the Chihuahuan Desert. Here's some wild grass looking fetchingly yellow amidst the sagebrush and creosote.

This rocky arroyo is well populated with Mormon Tea, Prickly Pear cactus, Ocotillo, Torrey Yucca, etc.

Research Associate Becca was particularly well behaved today; can you see why?

A crowded corner in the neighborhood.

Heating Up

It was already hot this morning when Becca and I got out on the trail. We're supposed to hit 80 degrees today. Hope my Chicago Cuz isn't reading this. The sky was filled with contrails.

These twin barrel cacti will soon be budding.

Here's a telephoto shot of the rugged Organ Mountains.

We ran into Karen and Varmint. Becca likes nothing better than to play with Varmint.

Can't find many cuter than this little guy.

At Work At Play

Here's what Research Associate Becca does in her spare time.

Right angle.

Here's Becca at work.

This Littleleaf Sumac has yet to bear leaves, and it's in an arroyo bottom where abundant moisture exists.

This Littleleaf Sumac is on a steep arroyo bank, yet it's all leafed out.

Sunday at Tortugas

Way out on a loop trail away from Tortugas Mountain, I took this photo of the loop road back. Note the yucca in the center of the image.

This is the same yucca, photographed just after Dr. K, Research Associate Becca and I passed it.

An odd little hedge of desert brush.

Packrat accidentally photographing himself.