Warmer with Wind

Willow on break in the left branch

Dr. K, Willow and I hit the trail this morning in almost blustery conditions; the wind tailed off somewhat as we hiked, and, fortunately, the temperature was a bit higher than on previous days.  We followed our regular route, seeing, along the way, Two-White-Dogs-Lady and her two white standard poodles in the distance far northwest of us.  They were the only other outdoor enthusiasts we spotted during our outing.

Westward down the left branch

This & next:  the middle branch

Toward Tortugas from the middle branch

Last 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

 

Hazy Hike

Willow and me (at least my shadow)

Willow and me on the morning trek today; Dr. K still under the weather.  At first I thought I'd take no photos because the air was so hazy and lighting poor; but I managed to snap a few.

Monster yucca

Looking westward down the left branch

Portrait of Willow

Which-way-do-we-go yucca

Meh

Yeah

 

Midweek Solo with Wils

To the west

Dr. K was under the weather this morning so it was me and Wilsie McGhee on the daily outing.  We followed our regular route (more or less) with a few minor bushwhacking detours for photos.  Light was good so I took more pics than usual.

Picacho Peak, elevation 4959 feet (1,512 meters)

What javelinas dug up near the yucca root

From here to the Organs

Barrel cacti siblings

Same barrels different view

Hangers-on

This & next:  portraits of Willow

Distant Cactus Wren

 

Cold Morning, Stronger Wind

1st 2:  Javelinas have been rooting around

About 40F when Dr. K, Willow and I hit the trail this morning; conditions were made far worse by a stiff, cold wind.  We had one break from the chill when we were ascending the right branch arroyo, but the respite didn't last.  We saw no other outdoor enthusiast during our exploration.

Long view

Willow on break in the right branch arroyo

Somewhat west

Last 2:  desert between here and the mountains

 

Camera Pics Only

1st 2:  Tortugas and the Organs

Only Willow and me on the trail this morning; Dr. K had a meeting to attend.  We followed our regular route.  It was sunny and a bit chilly, but the wind wasn't blowing out there so I never donned my ear band nor gloves.  Since there weren't any subjects worth zooming in on I used my phone camera to capture all images.  Sometimes I like the way phone pics come out, but at other times I don't.

This & next:  Organ Mountains

Tortugas and Organs again

This & next:  Willow in the sun

Last 2:  distant view of the mountains

 

Sunday's Cold Wind

Willow in the right branch

Even though it was sunny when Dr. K, Willow and I hit the trail this morning the temperature was 41F and a stiff cold wind blew hard.  Three-fourths of the way through the hike, though, conditions got more bearable.  After the trek we drove over to gas up the CR-V at Circle K and then took a short ride around the NMSU campus before heading home.

Willow closeup

San Augustin Peak (center)

Organ Mountains

Early morning moon

 

Kestrel Moon

Morning moon

32F when Dr. K, Willow and I started off this morning; fortunately there was no wind.  A breeze kicked up when we were nearly finished with the daily trek.  We didn't see anybody else while we were hiking, but we did hear dogs barking; never could locate them, though.  We took a short drive after our outing.

Tortugas and the Organs

Tortugas Mountain Observatory

Wils

Artsy Organs

Moon over Magdalena Peak

Tortugas and the Organs

Last 3:  American Kestrel