COC Critters

I spent a few moments photographing some of the critters who were relaxing around the grounds here at COC. These three doves were taking a break from searching for food.
This little guy took a high perch not quite out of the sun.

I'd like to think this is one of the rabbits we released on the far side of the arroyo here at COC, but I think this girl is just a tad too large.

West Side Hike

Here's a close-up shot of the new observatory atop Tortugas Mountain taken from the trail on the west-side flank.
Pretty in pink.
Two views of the Clammyweed flower.
The flower has a bad smell because of oils in the clammy hairs.

This is what freedom looks like to a desert dog.

Allergens-R-Us

I don't know what particular type of bloom or mold is giving my upper respiratory system fits, but it seems to have affected Research Associate Becca, too. We're beyond the sneezing stage now, and into congestion; at least I am. Perhaps this is one of the culprits; at first, I thought it was a type of Santolina, but I don't think so.
Just looking at this closeup makes me want to sneeze.
The moon (Waning Gibbous, 85% full) was setting behind Tortugas as seen from the east side of the mountain.

Here's another shot of the moon hanging higher above the flank of Tortugas.

Beautiful Morning

Research Associate Becca and I didn't get out into the field until 10:00 a.m., a rather late start for us. Fortunately, the weather was very nice--slightly overcast and cool, with the sun breaking through occasionally. Here's a photo that kind of exemplifies that observation.
The desert plant life is still predominantly green.
The wildflowers are still in bloom.
Even the butterflies still display their finery.

Riddle: Why did the Roadrunner cross the bridge? (Hint: Wile E. Coyote was nowhere in sight.)

Detour

Because of a large group of college students from New Mexico State University, Research Associate Becca and I had to redirect our field trip this morning. This is the dirt road we hiked to the far horizon.
On the way we spotted this cloud that reminded us of the Nike Swoosh.
Here's a long shot of the college class hiking up Tortugas Mountain.
Shadow and light highlight the mountain's sinuous shape.

The mountain is most interesting when cloud shadows paint the rocky surface.

Chilly Morn

It was actually chilly this morning on the trail, and that was a refreshing change of pace: 59 degrees with a stiff wind. What a difference from the hot, humid, windless days of summer. A strange bank of clouds hung over the Organ Mountains, which you can barely make out in this photo.
The clouds made for some interesting light effects, evident in this shot of the flank of Tortugas Mountain.

We came across this Pinacate Beetle on the trail back to the parking lot, and Research Associate Becca had to stick her snooty nose right up to the insect's rear end, which is a bad idea because the Pinacate (aka "stinkbug") squirts a foul-smelling liquid as a form of self-defense. Fortunately, Becca escaped unscathed.

Fire? What Fire?

Ten or twelves hikers carefully make their way toward the waterfall in Soledad Canyon.
The jagged mountains are blanketed in varying hues of green and yellow after heavy summer rains.
Two sotols grow side-by-side; the taller has withered flowers, while the smaller is still blooming.
There is little evidence of the fire that raged here a few months ago; the wild grasses have come back bigger and better than before.

On the way out we turned to look back up the canyon and were rewarded with this verdant scene.