Yesterday I went with my husband to Las Vegas, NM, to visit one of our job sites. I love going to this location because it’s outside of town on Sapello River. There’s always lots of wildlife around. Our clients said they’ve been seeing deer, elk, turkey and bobcat. But unfortunately this trip I didn’t see any of those animals. But we will be going back again soon. Maybe I will get lucky on that visit.

We picked the worst day of the week to travel there. It was quite cold, windy and snowy. I had to bundle up to go exploring with my camera.

The lighting conditions were a big challenge. Very low  light and white overcast sky.  It made it difficult to focus with white sky and snow covered ground.

I walked along the river enjoying the quiet beauty.

Not many birds about but a lot of Juncos braving the snow and cold.

But then I heard a familiar chatter of a Belted Kingfisher. I tried to get a photo but he kept flying. Through all my attempts to get that Kingfisher a Canada Goose laid low watching me.

I started making my way over to the old abandoned buildings near the river.  There are a few trees next to the buildings that usually have birds hanging out. 

I saw about a dozen Western Meadowlarks. Their bright yellow breasts standing out in all that white. They were all puffed up trying to stay warm.

Then to my delight I saw a Black-Billed Magpie. I’ve been wanting to get a better photo of one. I did get a couple of good ones.

A Kestral landed on the power line nearby. Some pigeons landed on the roof of the building. And a flock of Juncos kept hanging around the building near me.

I took a few photos of the buildings before heading back to our job site.

Our job site is near the homes of our clients. It’s always fun to see what critters they have about. To my surprise they had a pig! A very friendly pig!

They said they got it to butcher when it was full grown. But their granddaughter might not then them butcher Oinky! That’s her pet! Lol!

The chickens and geese were wanting out.  The owner has been keeping them penned up because of the bobcat hanging around.

While saying hello to the pig a cute little black kitten came up. Just adorable.

I picked it up but it wasn’t too happy about that!

Before leaving I found a cool old dump truck to photograph. My friend Valerie says I will photograph anything rusty! Too true!

As we were leaving town to head home we saw lots of Red-Tailed Hawks, one Bald Eagle flying by at Storrie Lake, and several Northern Harriers flying in the distance.

I managed to get one decent photo of a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Hopefully the weather will be nicer the next time we visit.  And maybe I will see that bobcat!