Crazy Clouds

Staring at a hiker on the mountain

Even though it's spring break for college and other schools around here there weren't many hikers on or near Tortugas Mountain this morning.  Still quite a few flies, though. We did encounter two guys jogging with their Chocolate Lab puppy, who one man called "Chaco."  Or was it "Choco"?  Chaco wanted to meet Becca, but Chaco's daddy wouldn't permit it.  We also bumped into a man and woman who said they had a dog like Becca at home.  Becca growled at the guy when he lunged forward to pet her.  I think Becca was ticked off because they left their dog at home.

Odd-shaped clouds

A northern Chihuahuan Desert vista

Claret Cup Cactus flower

Potrillo Mountains on the horizon

In arroyo west of the Tortoise

Don't stare directly at the sun

Straight shot across the desert

Almost the Mark of Zorro

The Tortoise (left) and the Organs

Weird little clouds

Undoubtedly a missile test from White Sands military facility

Had to stop near home to photgraph this:  is it a seal chasing a fish?

Out of Monte Vista

Clouds snagged by the Organ Mountains

Becca and I conducted a fly experiment this morning, starting our hike on the east side of Tortugas Mountain instead of the west to see if there are fewer flies over there; and you know what?--there were.  But we can't say for certain it has to do only with the side of the mountain because there were other variables involved.  Last night a storm system blew through, depositing rain and lowering the temperature.  Also, it was slightly windy on the east and southeast side of Tortugas; so the wind might have kept the flies at bay.  More research is necessary.

Back behind the mountain

Still up in the foothills

Yuccas in bloom on the southwest side of Tortugas

Tortugas Mountain (left) and the Organ Mountains

A road arcs through the desert

Claret Cup Cactus flowers

Spanish Dagger in bloom

As Promised

Dr. K asked to see a video of Becca the Flycatcher, and here it is.  You've got to feel sorry for the determined canine as she tries to pay the bugs back for driving her to distraction.  You may also be interested to see in the following image that one of the domes has blown off the two-dome observatory at the top of Tortugas Mountain.  Our buddy Jimmy told us the other day that the observatory had been damaged by the wind, and today was the first time we really got a decent look at it.

Flies Completely Ruined Our Hike

Aw.  Two hikers (holding hands) trekking with their dog

In the long annals of our trekking history I cannot remember a worse morning for pesky flies.  They were horrible.  Terrorists flies.  Al Flyda.  Often I'll laugh at Becca's antics in fly-catching, how she snaps at them and every once in a while spits one out when nabbing it.  But today they were all over us, landing on noses, ears, mouths, arms and legs.  I killed at least ten of them--and I'm something of a pacifist.  But the situation today was intolerable.  I'm not sure how to explain this phenomenon, but I hope it doesn't persist.

Just beginning the process of blooming

A flower stalk in mid-blossom

Tripartite Torrey Yucca

Soaptree Yuccas, Tortugas Mountain in background

Torrey Yucca (left), Soaptree Yucca (right)

Bushwhacking for fun and profit

A healthy Barrel Cactus

Pencil Cholla

On the trail back to the foothills

Chihuahuan Desert Spring

Cactus Wren on a flowering Yucca

For many desert dwellers spring is their favorite season, a time when long-dormant plants begin to bloom.  The blossoming signals the start of the warm season, with daytime temperatures ranging between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures in the 40 to 60 degree range.  Furnaces will generally be switched off during this period and residents will begin preparing their air conditioners or evaporative coolers for the coming hot months of summer.

Tiny flower buds on a Desert Broom begin to bloom

Three flower stalks on one Yucca

Torrey Yuccas in blossom

The flowers of a Spanish Dagger

Native Americans relished these delicious Yucca flowers

Creamy white Yucca blossoms

Bowing out

Flower buds on an Ocotillo (Oh-ko-TEE-yo)

Buds at the tip of an Ocotillo wand (aka "buggy whip")

A Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus beginning to bloom

Claret Cup Cactus flowers

All of these buds will soon open--a feeding station for hummingbirds

Yucca flower stalk in front of Tortugas Mountain

Taking a break in a sandy arroyo bottom

A mountain biker heading for the lower desert

Yuccas are pollinated by the Yucca Moth

More Claret Cup Cactus flowers