Arroyo Exploration

We've just come this way behind Tortugas Mountain

Dr. K, Becca and I did a long Sunday morning trek, departing from the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain, circling around to the far west (Sunset) side of the mountain, and then looping along and through the Tellbrook Arroyo, which we hadn't explored in over a year.  There's something magical about hiking inside a desert arroyo; for one thing it's where many plants grow that require more moisture than is available in higher, rockier elevations.

Always running ahead

Wait!

Ruins of a circular rock house

Dr. K appears to be sniffing an Ocotillo flower

In the distance the Organ Mountains

Cactus-studded south flank of Tortugas

This spot where Becca and Dr. K have stopped . . .

. . . is at the bottom of where the right flank of Tortugas (left) levels off

Some Ocotillos have begun to leaf out

Strawberry Pitaya Cacti behind Tortugas

A single Strawberry Pitaya flower beginning to open

Same flower, different angle

Prickly Pear Cactus blossom

Apache Plume blooming on the bank of a large arroyo

Dr. K and Becca in the Tellbrook Arroyo, one of the largest out of the Organs

Day at the beach

Desert Sumac flowers

Trickster Treat

Small Mesquite Trees on the west side of Tortugas Mountain

This will sound trite to some--especially considering the monumental import of various crises taking place across the globe at any given moment--but for me, this morning, there was nothing quite so important as encountering several denizens of the Chihuahuan Desert in their natural habitat.  Becca seems to like it, too, though she's not at all philosophical about the matter.

Becca headed for the high foothills

Range Ratany

Prickly Mickey

Down to the valley

Large arroyo west of Tortugas Mountain

I'm guessing it's a Black-chinned Hummingbird

Hard to tell from the Alfred Hitchcock profile

Looks like a black chin to me

Bushwhacking across the desert floor

An encounter with the Trickster

He hears something we don't

Clearer now:  other Coyotes wailing in the distance

Contemplative Coyote

Giving us the stare-down

Check out the different expressions

We left before he did

White Tackstem and Range Ratany

Ocotillo flower nearly in full bloom

Still looking for the Trickster

Desert Blister Beetle with damaged pronotum

Turkey Vulture (what you don't want to see looking down at you)

Tortugas Mountain (left) and the Organ Mountains

Allthorn

Cactus Wren

Smoke signals over the mountain's flank

Freewheeling Friday

Why are bunnies so cute?

Becca and I did a long trek west of Tortugas Mountain this morning, and it was already pretty hot out there.  Meteorologists are predicting heavy winds for later in the day, but we were fortunate enough to get our hike in before the assault.  There were a lot of beautiful flowers in bloom, and we enjoyed seeing them; well, at least I did.  Becca is always more interested in the desert scents, and at times I feel she's stopping at every other bush to sample its fragrance (or the fragrance another animal left on it).

Mormon Tea blossoms

Eager to keep moving

Too early to catch this opening

Ocotillo flower

Shade break in Ocotillo shadow

I have not IDd this plant with microscopic flowers yet

New Mexico Evening Primrose

New Mexico Evening Primrose

Cucumber Tree?

No--Torrey Yucca producing fruit

Prickly Pear Cactus flower

Laden with pollen

Ocotillo flowers

Too early for the morning show

Chihuahuan Flax

Hard to ID this hummingbird from this distance

Blackfoot Daisy