They're Back

This & next:  first time I've seen fruit on a Nipple Beehive

Some notable things on this morning's hike:  fruit on a Nipple Beehive cactus that I've never noticed before; in fact, I've not seen fruit on any of the many Nipple Beehives I have come across in the past.  Second, the ocotillos that looked like they'd given up photosynthesis just a week ago have grown leaves again after recent rains.  Their green finery is truly remarkable. 

Ocotillos greened out again after recent rains

Dayflowers

Find the House Finch

Small ocotillo all greened out

Photo is nothing to crow about

Willow relaxing in the left branch arroyo

Last 2:  more ocotillos sporting greenery

 

Low Country Still High

Down LDR-A

Dr. K, Willow and I were back in the lower desert this morning hiking our regular route.  We saw no one else out and about in our section of northern Chihuahuan Desert.  The weather has definitely undergone a change; it was much cooler out there today than in the recent past.

Landscape X

Clouds over hill

Colorized photo

Up the left branch

Southwest

This & next:  Dayflowers

Impressive clouds

Willow is unimpressed by clouds

 

San Augustin Peak (center)

Trailing Four O'Clock

Return

1st 3:  bad light makes for bad pics of a Northern Flicker

 

Early morning forest hike.  Back to the cabin to pack for the trip down the mountain into the lower desert where we are now.

Willow heading down our drive

Sacramentos

Wils headed down the road

Stopping to look back

Bouquet of Golden Crownbeards

On the trail

After the trek

 

Warm in the Forest

Very early cloud

This is the second morning that felt kind of hot in the forest; an occasional breeze cooled things down a bit, but the air circulation was scant.  We followed a regular route up to the top of the mountain behind the cabin and then began a gradual descent heading in a counter clockwise direction.  No critter encounters today so no photos of forest inhabitants.  After the trek Dr. K and drove down to Lowe's Signature Market in Alamogordo to pick up some supplies.

Sun breaking over the mountains

Back 40

Three-leaf Sumac

Climbing through here

Dead tree

At the top

This & next:  Golden Crownbeard

Forest internet

 

Ear worm prompt

In the back

Taking a break post hike

Forest Exploration

Lincoln National Forest

Because a small herd of mule deer was stopped along our upper driveway browsing we reversed course and left through the back 40 for the morning trek.  We did a nice extended hike in a clockwise loop, climbing the mountain behind the cabin, returning to the junction at our road.  By then there was no sign of the deer. 

Willow, sit

Sunflower

Hello there

One of several mule deer does

Jay

Mule deer head, another's butt

Heading up

Karr Canyon

White Sands National Park from 7,000 feet

 

Looking eastward toward La Luz

Over the Tularosa Basin

Willow post hike

Headed down our drive