Dragonfly

1st 3:  mountain views from our property

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did a pretty strenuous bushwhack through the forest behind our cabin this morning, going much further than we usually do.

While climbing the hill Willow, Frio and I spotted a Mule Deer buck ahead; we never got a good look at him because he moved higher and out of sight.

What Dr. K and I did see properly was a male Flame Skimmer dragonfly that stopped for a while, allowing me to take photos.  When I tried sneaking in front of him for a head-on shot he took off.  This was the first time we'd ever seen this bright orange beauty.

After depositing the Heelers in the cabin Dr. K and I went to shovel up some dog poop on our road, and then we did some forestry work just beyond the road, moving a fallen tree out of the way and trimming a few overhanging branches.  All in a day's work for the Sacramento Mountains gang.

The "O"s on shade break

This & next 5:  photos from forest bushwhack

This & next:  1st ever sighting of a male Flame Skimmer

Libellula saturata

Another shade break for Frio and Willow

Willow and Frio in the shade from our cabin

 

Hoping for Rain

This & next:  looking out at the Sacramentos

Quick hike this morning for Frio, Willow and me before we returned home to finish packing for a trip to the high country, where we all are now.  There are some signs that it could rain here later today, so Dr. K and I are hoping for the best.

This & next:  edge of our place

Frio and Willow in the front yard

Hopeful sign

Looking up past the pumphouse

House Finch, perhaps

Steps into the mudroom

Last 2:  Frio and Willow in the yard

 

Hot Wind

West side of LDR-A

Dr. K went grocery shopping this morning so it was Willow, Frio and me on the morning trek.  We did our usual route, seeing no one out there today.  There was a small, white compact car parked at the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch corner lot, but we never saw any of its occupants.

Got some decent photos of a Western Kingbird while we were descending Middle Branch Arroyo, and, later, I took a few pics of what I think is a baby New Mexico Whiptail Lizard loitering on our house when we got home.

Whitethorn Acacia

Tortugas and the Organs

Headed down LDR-A arroyo

Barrel Cactus with new buds

A different Barrel Cactus with new buds

Ocotillo with one flower

This & next:  "the" one flower

This & next 4 1/4:  Western Kingbird

Photobombed by a wasp

Taking flight

Willow and Frio

View from our favorite yucca

Soaptree fruit

This & next:  views from Right Branch Arroyo

Last 2:  baby Whiptail Lizard

 

Difference a Day Makes

Ancient Soaptree Yucca in the left branch

Yesterday we were cool under a thick cloud cover; today we sweltered in the blazing sun.  A slight breeze moderated the heat somewhat, but the zephyr was sporadic at best.

We took shade and water breaks that benefited the Heelers, but Dr. K and I were exposed to the desert elements all the while.

Saw nobody else out in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert, and, at the risk of seeming antisocial, that's the way we all like it.

Artsy Swainson's Hawk

Willow and Frio

This & next:  in the shadow of our favorite yucca

Yuccas on the ridge west of the Organ Mountains

Looking north in the right branch

Tortugas Mountain and the Organs