Beyond First Arroyo

This and the next:  Ocotillo flower

It was already warming up steadily when Frio, Willow and I headed out for an early morning hike.  We descended LDR-A, trekked up LDR to Second Arroyo, and stopped inside for a shade and water break.  Then we turned around and headed back.

We saw and heard (except for Frio) quite a few birds today, including a few quick glimpses of what might have been a Bullock's Oriole.  It never stayed still long enough for me to get a decent photo, and the last two images here were taken from a precarious spot of the bird at a great distance.  They look a little artsy, so I'm including them here.

This & the next:  Ocotillos flowering

The long view from LDR-A

Hot Heelers

Soaptree Yucca leaves and stalk

Willow and Frio still on break

Not enough rain for Ocotillos to leaf out

This and the next:  LDR

Little Soaptree Yucca

Last 2: very poor photos of what could be a Bullock's Oriole

 

Nightjar

This and the next: Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)

Frio, Willow and I got an early start on our morning hike today, and we were able to park in our normal spot in the dirt pullout off Tellbrook.  It felt a bit cooler as we headed down LDR-A on our way to First Arroyo.

Once inside the arroyo we stopped for a shade and water break before turning around and heading back.  We saw a few other desert denizens today--mostly birds--but no people or dogs.

After our trek the three of us drove to a local gas station to fuel up the CR-V:  $10.50 for half a tank of unleaded.  I can remember when I could completely fill up my 1998 RAV-4 for $12.00.

This and the next 4:  Black-throated Sparrow

This and the next 2:  Prickly Pear starting to bloom

Frio and Willow

Frio

Willow

This and the next:  same Soaptree Yucca in First Arroyo

First Arroyo

This and the next:  Mesquite Tree in the arroyo

Last 2:  Organ Mountains

 

Early Heat

Headed down LDR-A

Willow, Frio and I were back in the desert early this morning to do a hike up to Second Arroyo and back.  We went extra early because it was extra hot, and we wanted to beat the worst of the heat.  Also, we're under another Red Flag Warning, and we didn't relish being out there when the wind picks up.

We did see one other person this morning, the guy who usurped our parking spot in the Tellbrook pullout.  He passed us while we were ascending LDR-A, saying, "Coming up on the left."  He's a runner we've seen out there a few times before.  The Heelers were very good about moving aside, never barking or whining to get near the man.  Of course he's as entitled to that parking spot as we are; I just hope he never parks there again.

All in all we had a good outing today, our first since coming back from the mountains.

Willow and Frio

Frio and Willow

This and the next:  same Ocotillo

Hello to Jerry

Makeshift gaiters

This and the next:  residents of Second Arroyo

Had to park in a different spot this morning

This and the next:  Organ Mountains from Tellbrook Arroyo

This and the next:  same Ocotillo flowering

Willow and Frio in the CR-V

Ocotillos in the hills west of the Organ Mountains