Long Ramble II

How we love those rugged Organ Mountains.

Let's get artsy.

Part of the western face of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain.

Sun Dog springs into action.

Long Ramble

We started off in the shadow of Tortugas this morning.

We tried to hide from the sun.

Yucca, and the Portillo Mountains on the horizon.

Sun Dog enjoying the outing.

An interesting cloud snakes above the Organ Mountains.

Morning Outing

Pretty soon these Ocotillos will sport nothing but thorns.

Enjoy them while you can.

Spanish Dagger.

Daggers and Ocotillos.

Dr. K and Becca.

Sun and Shadow

The sun filters through a pass and washes down on the western foothills of Tortugas.

A particularly sandy section of the Chihuahuan Desert.

A Prickly Pear pad the size of a large dinner plate.

The brilliant light of an October morning.

Fun in the Sun

One of the many multi-use trails on the west side of Tortugas.

For a chance to win a winner-expense-paid trip to the Chihuahuan Desert, identify this white flower.

A Soaptree Yucca takes center stage.

Ocotillo leaves are now more yellow than green.

The undisputed Queen of the Desert.

Quick Morning Jaunt

Starting out this morning well within the shadow of Tortugas.

The sun just beginning to peek over the mountain.

Yucca halo.

The sun reaches us.

Yucca and Ocotillos on the mountain's steep western flank.

The Clearing Part

The winding road through the desert west of Tortugas.

Ocotillos in their autumn finery.

Clouds lifting over the Franklin Mountains near El Paso.

Desert majesty.

A distant glimpse of Tortugas.