Clear and Cold

White-winged Dove

28F at the start of our hike this morning with a windchill of 22F.  Had the wind been blowing we'd have frozen our tails off.  The bright sunshine took the edge off the cold, and we were able to do our normal trek without too much discomfort.

At one point during the ascent down LDR-A little Willow was shivering a bit, but that stopped as soon as she picked up a scent.  She was a regular Hoover vacuum cleaner the rest of the way, even nearly to the mouth of Right Branch Arroyo.

Both dogs enjoyed exploring familiar territory, especially when they were off lead.  They never got far enough ahead of us to cause any consternation.

Tortugas Mountain and a glimpse of the Organs

Soaptree Yucca

This & next 2:  Frio and Willow in Right Branch Arroyo

Yuccas and the Organ Mountains

Soaptree Yucca and the mountains

Long view of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

 

Cold, but no Snow

This & next:  American Kestrel

The sun came out a short while after we began our morning hike today, but then it disappeared behind the clouds.  The temperature immediately plummeted and a steady persistent breeze made conditions feel damned cold.

Fortunately we got none of the snow that was predicted for this morning, so we didn't have to worry about hazardous driving conditions on the ride to the trailhead.

Although Dr. K and I didn't thoroughly enjoy our morning outing we did get Frio and Willow out for their daily trek and got some exercise in the process.

This & next 3:  clouds over the mountains

Frio and Willow

Leaves are brown and the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Willow and Frio

Picacho Mountains and surroundings

This & next:  glimpse of the mountains under the clouds

Sky to the southwest

Peep show

 

Blowing Hard

1st 2:  this morning's sky

Lucky Dr. K got to go grocery shopping this morning; OK, that's not really lucky, but the hike that Willow, Frio and I took this morning was definitely not a good one.  45F isn't generally cold, but with a raging wind it was indeed.  Immediately upon exiting the CR-V I donned my ear band and gloves.

We did our usual trek, but it felt miserable out there.  The wind never died by a single knot while we were trekking, and by the end I felt battered by the cold gusts.  I'm not positive, but I'm guessing the Heelers were not perturbed by the blustery conditions.

Nevertheless it was a great relief when we all piled back into the sheltered protection of our vehicle for the short ride home.

Ocotillos and clouds

Soaptree Yucca on the hill alongside LDR-A

Ocotillos and cloud striations

Soaptree and the long view of Tortugas and the Organs

A bit of snow on the Organs

Hill west of the Organs

Frio and Willow

Looking southwest

This & next:  Heelers in Right Branch Arroyo

Clouds over Bishop Cap (left) and the Franklin Mts. (El Paso)

 

Coyote or Bobcat?

1st 4:  Coyote I photographed alongside Tellbrook Road

As we were approaching the turnoff to the trailhead along Tellbrook Road I saw an animal just crossing over into the desert.  My first thought was "Coyote."  But when I drove past and looked over I reassessed my initial impression; now it looked like a Bobcat.

When we stepped out of the CR-V at the trailhead I was able to spot the critter, which was standing at the side of the road, and photograph it.  A Coyote after all.

While we descended LDR-A we heard a pack of Coyotes howling to the north; never saw any of them, though.  That was it, the excitement surrounding our morning trek, which, by the way, was the usual one we've been taking daily.

This & next:  domesticate coyotes Willow and Frio

Torrey Yucca

This & next:  dancing Soaptree Yucca

Hedgehog Cactus

Frio

Yucca, hill, mountain

Dr. K treating the Heelers

Soaptree Yucca stalks