Beautiful Weather

Cloudy start

What a wonderful morning for a hike.  For most of the trek it was heavily overcast, with a light wind that kept the ambient temperature cool.  The sun peeked out occasionally during 2/3 of the walkabout, but finally broke through completely for the final third.  There weren't very many people on the mountain, but on our way back we did see Greg heading for the crest.  We waved at each other from a distance and exchanged greetings.  He always asks about how Becca is enjoying her hike.

Purple Prickly Pear Cactus

Becca spots a rabbit

This one:  a Desert Cottontail

Growing season in the Mesilla Valley

Vigilant trailblazer

Really blurry photo of a sparrow-like bird with yellow throat

View across the desert to the Organ Mountains

On the road back to Tortugas

Sun finally breaking through

Well-deserved rest on a desert hike

From Monte Vista

Heading behind Tortugas Mountain

Dr. K, Becca and I headed out from the east side of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain this morning, looped around its south side, then hiked to the far west on the outer loop road.  We saw all kinds of critters in the outback:  joggers, bikers, Mule Deer and a Gopher Snake.  All during the hike we battled a powerful, unpleasant wind, which you can witness for yourself by watching the brief video.  Despite the wind we had a rollicking good time.

High mountain scout

Dr. K holds her hat against the wind

Joggers running clockwise around the mountain

Three Mule Deer making their way through rugged desert

Mule Deer silhouetted against the Organ Mountains

Hello to a 2 1/2-foot Gopher Snake

I've got a kink in my neck

First thing to look for:  tapered tail

Keeping a wary eye on us

Just how windy it was

Warming Trend

Claret Cup Cactus

Even though it was 37 F again today when we set off things quickly warmed up.  Less than halfway through the hike I had to take my anorak off.  Not surprisingly, there were a lot of other people enjoying the great outdoors.  Two times we ran into a woman jogger who had already circled the mountain and looked to be on her way around again.  When I asked if she was going to make another circuit, she said, "No, just part of it.  Maybe in the near future I'll be able to go around twice."  She's a regular out there, so I don't doubt she'll meet her goal. 

Becca sees someone jogging on the mountain

Rest spot #1

Looking back up the trail we just descended

Light overcast, but mostly sunny

Rest spot #2

Becca spots something of great interest

It's an equestrian

A woman with a beautiful horse and a dog in the lead

They head down a trail away from us

Bishop's Cap

Virtual Tour

Ocotillos blooming against Tortugas Mountain

It was 37 F when we went out this morning; and a steady wind made it feel cold.  I can't remember another May 3rd in recent times that has been this chilly.  We're only headed for the low 60s today.  Surprisingly, there were quite a few other outdoor enthusiasts on and about the mountain; we had several encounters with hikers and joggers.  The short videos documenting our hike speak for themselves.  (Technically, I speak for them, but you know what I mean.)

Eager to keep moving forward

Thank You Canada

Same spot as yesterday, different clothing

A strong cold front blew in from Canada last night, bringing with it much colder temperatures--at least twenty-five degress below yesterday's temps.  The dust in the air isn't appreciated, but the respite from hot days ahead is very nice.  Soon the heat will be unrelenting.  At the far point of our hike into the outback we discovered some more of those dirt "lug nuts," which are probably made by insects larger than termites.  My friend Scott over at It Just Comes Naturally speculated last year that they are created by either spiders or wasps.  Now I'm wondering whether these things could be made by Antlion larvae.

Very dusty skies

Clearer that-a-way

Another Ash-throated Flycatcher

Barely-visible Organ Mountains

Blue sky left, dusty sky right

Dirt lug nut



Another dirt lug nut



Trekking on Wednesday

On the Crosscut Trail

It was very hot again this morning when Becca and I lit out for Tortugas Mountain.  We did a longer hike than yesterday, though, and were rewarded for it.  Birds and bees were out and about, and a good-sized Desert Cottontail burst from a bush right in front of us.  While we were in the shade of Becca's favorite Ocotillo I noticed that the honeybees working the flowers seemed significantly smaller than in years past.  That's going to send me to do research on dwarfism in honeybees.

It came from outer space

Hot, dry road

Becca's favorite Ocotillo shade

Small honeybee on Ocotillo flower

Looks like an Ash-throated Flycatcher to me



Same Flycatcher, rear view



Other flycatchers

This Desert Cotontail dashed right in front of us