20F sans Wind

After dropping the aliens off

It was ten degrees colder this morning than yesterday morning, yet, because there was little wind, it felt much warmer out in the desert west of Tortugas Mountain.  And, because I had no errands to do after our trek Becca and I were able to explore much more of the area in and around a major arroyo that drains the desert west of the mountain.  As usual we were trying to spot critters in their natural habitat, and, indeed, we saw many different birds and quite a few Jackrabbits.  No Javelinas, though, and no Coyotes like the one we saw yesterday.

Way up on the side of the mountain

Strawberry Hedgehog Pitaya

Spearing the moon

Another Hedgehog Cactus

Three-eared Jackrabbit

Really it's two Jackrabbits

Traversing a major arroyo west of the mountain

Becca the explorer

Looking back at the way we've come

Large Soaptree Yucca

Uneaten fruit of a Barrel Cactus

Mesquite Tree and the Organ Mountains

Becca needs to perfect her hide-and-seek skills

Yet another Hedgehog

Who's eating the Prickly Pear pads?

Brutal Wind

Sunny, but absolutely frigid

Although it was 30F when Becca and I headed to the mountain this morning, we soon got a taste of how frigid it really was--all because of a bitingly cold wind.  It was, literally, the coldest I've felt all winter so far.  After we had hiked about an eighth of a mile to where the trail forks, we took the western branch that led most directly into sunlight.  Even in the sun, though, the ambient temperature--because of the windchill--must have been in the teens.  As we headed down from the high foothills toward the low desert I could tell from Becca's body language that she had spotted something of great interest; and, indeed, she had:  I followed her gaze to a spot where a Jackrabbit came running out of the underbrush, immediately pursued by the Coyote.  Mr. Trickster didn't catch the hare, but he did stop briefly to look back at us.  He was probably cursing under his breath about his interrupted hunt for breakfast.

Shadow of the eagle (actually, Becca's shadow, mine, and a yucca's

Becca spotted The Trickster as we headed for the lower desert

Stopping to have a look at us

Down the single-track in full sunlight

On the road again

Becca sees someone on the road to the mountaintop

Leaning into it

This plant, which grows in the winter, always reminds me of a salad

Closeup of above plant, which is Canaigre, aka Wild Rhubarb

Hills just west of Tortugas

Rugged foothills of the Tortoise

Lunedi Lunacy

Rocky cactus garden

It was rather cold when Becca and I began hiking around Tortugas Mountain this morning; since we got an early start we were in shadow for quite a while before breaking into the sun.  Also, there was a steady breeze that strengthened into a wind during our trek, a wind that didn't diminish in the least.  We stayed on the beaten track for about two-thirds of our journey, but we did bushwhack through the desert flora for the rest.  It's always a lot of fun exploring in this arid land.

Pausing in the high foothills

Shadow and light on the Tortoise

Three amigos

Far west of Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain

Area of tall yuccas

We've seen Javelina here before

You can see why Native Americans called this mountain the "Tortoise"

Soaptree Yucca, Barrel Cactus and Torrey Yucca

Vast expanse of Chihuahuan Desert west of the mountains

Closeup of Tortugas's flank and the rugged Organ Mountains

I've seen Javelinas eat Prickly Pear pads like humans munch toast

The road around the mountain

Distant dog (center)

Sunday Service

Same backyard (ours), different sky

Dr. K, Becca and I spend our Sundays in the church of nature, always highly appreciative of the spirits that animate this section of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  Although we're under a high wind warning for the rest of the day, the morning was beautiful, and we saw a few other people out enjoying the environment.  The high temperature today is supposed to be 67F, and it felt pretty warm not long after we set out on our hike behind Tortugas Mountain.  We got in a lot of good exercise by trekking two-thirds of the way around the mountain east to west before reversing direction.

Half-and-half

Making the bend to the south

Trekking behind Tortugas

Looking back at the trail we've traversed

Rugged eastern slope of the mountain

Forging ahead of the human hikers

Nearly at the far point of the trek

Starting back in

Cactus garden behind Tortugas

Large round mound of Hedgehog Cactus

Eastern escarpment of the Organ Mountains