Despite the Drought

Hugging Tortugas's western flank

Just the other day Jimmy and I were discussing the drought, commenting on how few yuccas we've seen in bloom, and wondering if the Strawberry Pitaya Cacti would blossom.  Today I was pleased to find quite a few flowers.  It was a good picture day; I caught a Common Nighthawk in flight, took a photo of a Curve-billed Thrasher who was singing his guts out, and photographed Ocotillo flowers and buds.  Under the image of ole Curved Bill is a link to the Cornell Ornithology Lab so you can hear a Curve-billed Thrasher's song.

Which critter brushed against this Soaptree Yucca?

Common Nighthawk in flight

Curve-billed Thrasher on an Ocotillo wand

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Curve-billed_Thrasher/sounds

Burst of color:  Ocotillo flower

These look like chili peppers, but they're Ocotillo buds

More buds

Always time for a shade break

Strawberry Pitaya Cactus flower

Starting to blossom

Inchoate beauty

Tuesday's Short Hike

Because of errands I had to run this morning Becca and I did an abbreviated hike around the west side of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  It wasn't too hot out there, which was greatly appreciated.  Also, it wasn't very crowded; we saw only one jogger making his way back toward the Sunset Area parking lot.  Becca got her requisite number of BMs in, so it was a productive hike.  I hope I'm not grossing anybody out by saying that Becca has always been very good about doing her business far away from the trails; and it's something I didn't have to teach her.

Packrat's Got Some Brand New Boots



Scouting the trail ahead

(Sung to the tune of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag.")

For years I've been a Merrell and/or High-Tec boot man, but my friend, Jimmy, recommended Keen Boots, and I bought this pair.  After wearing them around the hacienda for a few days I took them out for their first spin in the desert this morning.  Very nice boot--comfortable and supportive.  After smelling them once when I removed them from the box, Becca has lost all interest in them.  She loves those desert smells, though.

Keen Targhee II Mid Waterproof

Keen print in the sand

Plants that exist in sandy soil:  Ocotillos, Yuccas, Cresote Bush

On the alert for pesky flies

This Soaptree Yucca reminds me a an Apache Crown Dancer's headdress

This plant smells like perfume.  Not

Sunday South of Tortugas

Heading southwest of the mountain

Dr. K, Becca and I did our usual Sunday hike south of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  The temperature was just right because we got out there early enough to beat the heat.  We only saw one other person in the outback, a guy hiking with his dog along the upper road that circles the mountain.  We did run into two guys hiking not far from the path that leads to the trailhead.  They were circling the mountain, too.  Becca--off lead--was very obedient when told to stay back and walk with us, though she's always so curious about other people.

Filtered-shade break

Dr. K kicks Becca out of the shade :)

Ocotillo and Yuccas

Bactrian-Camel view of Tortugas Mountain

Headed back

Back at the Ranch

On the Crosscut Trail

Becca and I got our morning hike in early then returned to the ranch to do a little landscape work; well, I did the work and she just lay watching.  I took some photos afterward of the flora and fauna on our little patch of Chihuahuan Desert.  It's so nice to have the irrigation water from the bleed-off line out of the evaporative cooler to quench the thirst of parched desert plants.

Ocotillo at the ranch leafing out

Flower of "Blind" Prickly Pear Cactus and occupant

Blind Prickly Pear and blossom

Flowers of the Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

Cane Cholla

A mass of Cholla

Red Yucca

Ole Curved-Bill Thrasher at the watering hole



Barrel Cactus



Mesquite Tree on the front 40

Desert Willow tree

Puzzle Solved?

"Cicada nymph chimneys" (Clermont College UC biology department)

Thanks to Eric Eaton ("Bug Eric" at bugeric.blogspot.com) I think I've finally figured out the identity of the "dirt lug nuts" I've discovered several times during my wanderings in the Chihuahuan Desert.  In an email message to me, Eric said, "It might be evidence of where a cicada nymph emerged from underground.  The periodical cicada nymphs often make 'chimneys' when they dig themselves out." Googling "cicada nymph chimneys" I quickly found the image at left from Clermont College, a photo of said "chimneys."  Eureka!

What I referred to as a "dirt lug nut"

The size of a dirt lug nut, aka "cicada nymph chimney"

Not Too Hot Hike

Male Boat-Tailed Grackle in flight

They're called "Boat-Tailed" Grackles because once they get into flight they turn their tail feathers vertical to the ground, much the way the rudder of a boat functions in the water.

Female Boat-Tailed Grackle

Non-Boat-Tailed Grackle at rest