Short Saturday Hike

Becca and I had an abbreviated hike on the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning. We saw some interesting things along the way--this bird nest under construction, for one.

The pass between Tortugas's eastern flank and a small mesa.

An arroyo runs through it.

Castor and Pollux, where Pollux has been nearly devoured by critters.

A closer look at the critters' handiwork.

Birds and More

It was an absolutely beautiful morning when Becca and I went out on the Tortugas Mountain trail. Here's one of our all-time favorites: the Loggerhead Shrike.

A shot across the desert. The greener areas are where the arroyo runs; it's where the most moisture is.

Look who else is enjoying spring flowers.

X marks the spot.

Yucca in bloom; Organs in rear.

Chihuahuan Observation Center Flowers

At first I thought this was a type of Sand Verbena, but I'm not so sure now.

Apache Plume flower.

Apache Plume flowers and bees.

Moon, Bird and Things

Moon setting beyond Tortugas.

Prickly Pear cactus growing out of a rock.

Black-Headed Oriole.

Thorny desert.

One of Becca's favorite resting spots.

More Dynamic Vistas

Southern section of the Organs.

Another view of the Organs.

Clouds behind Tortugas.

Apache Plume flowering on the grounds of the Chihuahuan Observation Center.

Dynamic Vistas

Warm and windy this morning. The Beckster and I enjoyed our hike very much with these kinds of vistas to view.

Clouds over Tortugas.

Bifurcated sky.

Sparse mountain with clouds.

Damn, we love those Organ Mountains.

Ruby Tuesday

The Beckster and I were out around Tortugas early this morning. Beautiful day. Sentinels of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Moon over Tortugas's flank.

The spectacular Organ Mountains.

Ocotillo flower in mid-bloom.

Two types of yucca: the taller Torrey Yucca and the smaller Soaptree Yucca.