Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge

A couple of weeks ago I had to go to Las Vegas, New Mexico, for work. I decided to take a little time to see what might be at the local refuge. It was a cold, windy day so I wasn’t too hopeful of much being around.

Most of the small birds were hiding from the wind. There were a few Western Meadowlarks about but definitely weren’t interested in getting their picture taken.

Western Meadowlark

With the cold wind, the Canada and Cackling Geese were hiding out in a low-lying pond. You don’t usually see these two species hanging out with each other. While we have difficulty distinguishing the two species, they definitely know who’s who!

Canada and Cackling Geese

In the distance I saw several Northern Harrier’s searching for lunch.

Northern Harrier

What was out and not shy at all were Red-Tailed Hawks. They were all juveniles. Such beautiful birds! And they let me get close and take as many photos as I wanted. What could be better than that!?!

Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-Tailed Hawk

This particular hawk had already been successful getting something to eat as you can see dried blood on his feet.

Red-Tailed Hawk

While photographing that hawk, some Morning Dove came in looking all fearful of the hawk nearby.

Mourning Dove

Nothing much else at the refuge. But as I was driving down the country road back to Las Vegas, I came across one of the most beautiful bluebirds I’ve ever seen. His colors were glorious!

Mountain Bluebird

Then to my delight I saw a Ferruginous Hawk on a telephone pole. Such a beautiful bird!

Ferrugnious Hawk
There’s something intimidating about a Ferrugnious Hawk stare

One last bird I saw was a very large Common Raven. Fortunately the lighting was nice and I was able to get a nice photo of this all black bird.

Common Raven

As I was driving home I decided to stop in a Storrie Lake to see what might be about. There really weren’t any birds around. Most of them were out in the middle of the lake where I just couldn’t get a good visual.

Just as I was about to leave, a Rough-Legged Hawk came in and landed on a post right next to my car. How exciting! The daylight was waning, but I had enough light to get a few nice shots. These birds are rarely seen in New Mexico so I was delighted to get such an up close sighting.

Rough-Legged Hawk
Rough-Legged Hawk getting his feathers settled in

All in all I had two great side trips during my busy work day!

Birding in Eagle Nest NM

On my last day at Red River I drove to Eagle Nest, NM, to do some birding and photography around Eagle Nest Lake.  It was a cool morning after evening showers.  As I drove along the highway, I came across a small herd of elk.  Always a welcome sight!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Elk herd

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

They have mostly lost their winter coat.

When I arrived at the lake, it had a layer of fog over the water.  I thought it made for a picturesque scene.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Eagle Nest Lake

A lone boat of fishermen was on the lake.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Fisherman on Eagle Nest Lake

There wasn’t much bird activity out over or on the water.  Just a few Canadian Geese flying by.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Canadian Geese

There was a lot of bird activity around the lake.  Most notably swallows. There are very few trees around this lake.  So a house nearby was a top pick for the swallows nests.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Swallows coming and going from their nests in the eaves.

As all birders know, swallows are fast! Trying to get a pic of one on the wing is very difficult.  But once I realized one of the species of swallows was a Tree Swallow, I was determined to get a pic.  This was a lifer bird for me!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Tree Swallow

There were other birds along the shore of the lake.   Most of them were shy so it was difficult getting very close for any photos.  But I managed a few.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Western Meadowlark

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Western Bluebird female

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Red-Winged Blackbird female

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Western-Wood Pewee

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Brewer’s Blackbird

While walking along the lake shore, I came across a half eaten jalapeno.  Where else but New Mexico would you see that?!?  🙂

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Only in New Mexico…

After spending some time around the lake, I decided to go exploring around Eagle Nest to see some of the sights for photos.  I came across the ruins of the old lodge.  I wish I could have gotten closer, but it was gated inside private property.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Old Eagle Nest Lodge

There was a unique gate post nearby that looks like live hawks and eagles use it frequently for a perch   🙂

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

While driving around I came across a Turkey Vulture enjoying a deer carcass.  Not much left, but still enough for a small meal.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Turkey Vulture

I then decided to visit the old ghost town of Elizabethtown.  Not much left but a couple of buildings and a few old vehicles. My creative spirit just couldn’t seem to do much with the buildings….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Old barn

So I moved on to the old vehicles.  I loved this old car.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This used to be a high end car back in the 30s

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Of course, I had to get a pic of the old and the new 🙂

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

But my favorite vehicle was this really cool old truck!  Isn’t it great!?!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Love this!

Of course, I just had to get Scarlett to pose next to it.  Her picture didn’t come out so great as she was distracted by the horses nearby.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Miss Scarlett

The horses were right across the street enjoying a lush pasture.  This Palomino was a real beauty.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Enjoying spring in the mountains.

Sadly it was time to head back home.  The road back to Red River is very scenic.  This particular day had awesome clouds with New Mexico’s signature blue sky.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Highway to Red River

Memorial Day weekend was coming up.  As I was driving home I passed by this very moving Memorial Day tribute.  It was very emotional seeing our American Flag blowing in the wind with signs saying how many of our countrymen had passed in our country’s wars.  Their lives have paid for our freedom in this wonderful country of ours.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Memorial Day Tribute

Coming back through Taos, I stopped at a place where there’s a couple more cool trucks.   One of them I’ve posted before, but I can never resist photographing this vehicle.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I love this truck!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beautiful Taos country!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I had a great time visiting Red River.  It had been years since I had been there last.  It’s always a joy getting out and exploring God’s beautiful country.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

3rd Anniversary!

Saturday, March 17, was my blog’s 3rd anniversary.  I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since I started writing this blog.  It have had a lot of fun.  When I started this blog, it was mainly for my family.  My husband and I have no family near us, so this was a nice way to share our adventures with them.

But after 3 years, I have gotten to know a lot of other bloggers.  Many of them follow this blog and I follow theirs.  I think of several of them like they are my extended family in far away places.  They have inspired me in many ways.

Of course, to celebrate my 3rd anniversary, I thought I would blog about a hiking location just outside of Albuquerque that most people don’t know about.  It’s called the San Ysidro (e-sid-dro) trails.  It’s a unique canyon in that almost the entire bottom of the canyon is exposed bedrock.  The bedrock has been eroded over time by water so all the rock is smooth.  Indentations have been created by the erosion and they hold water very well.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A view down into the canyon.  If you look closely, you can see it is all bedrock.

As I descended into the canyon, I heard a lot of birdsong.  There is not a lot of water in the New Mexico deserts.  So any place that has water year round is a huge draw for birds.  Sadly, most of them were nervous of people and I wasn’t able to get photos of them.  But there was a curious Juniper Titmouse that let me take a pic.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Juniper Titmouse

Once at the bottom of the canyon, I made Scarlett sit in the shade while I photographed all the different pools.  It was fun walking around and looking at all the different angles to best show off the water.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The pools work their way down the incline of the canyon.  What a fun afternoon walking on the smooth bedrock taking photos.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

After taking my photos, I gave Scarlett permission to play.  As you know, that dog loves, loves, loves water!  At first she ran around jumping over the pools.  I think she wasn’t sure how deep they were.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

But then she couldn’t resist any further and jumped in.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Most of the pools were shallow, but somehow she managed to pick the deepest pool and plunged in over her head.  I think it was a total surprise for her!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

But that didn’t deter her for long, soon she was running up and down the slope and jumping in and out of all the pools.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Scarlett showing off her really long tail as she dives into the deep pool.

Now you see why I made her lay down and watch me take photos first LOL!  She got water everywhere!

After she had her fill of running around and splashing, we ventured further down the canyon.  The crevices in the bedrock got deeper.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

These are my favorite shots of my outing.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Of course, I can’t celebrate my 3rd anniversary without some great bird photos.  I haven’t been out birding for a little while, but the Western Bluebirds were very cooperative in the park next to my office 🙂  It’s always a good day when you see Bluebirds!!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

A Few Goodies

Yesterday I had to drive almost to Grants to meet a client.  It was a cold, dreary day.  On my way home I decided to stop in at Piedras Marcadas Petroglyphs so Scarlett and I could stretch our legs.

There weren’t any birds about, but there was an adorable, curious squirrel.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Antelope Squirrel

I crept closer hoping to get a better pic.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

And closer still….. He let me take several photos before diving behind the rocks.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Just too darn adorable!

There were some hot air balloons up while I was hiking.  One of them was landing behind the mesa.  I took this pic just before it disappeared.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

After working most of the day today, I managed to take a couple hours to hike and bird before sundown.  I wasn’t sure what I would see being so late in the day.  But surprisingly I saw few nice goodies.

Over the last few days we’ve had some cold, snowy weather.  A couple days ago while in town, I took a photo of the Sandia Mountains.  I love it when they are covered in clouds and snow.

20180217_204714

Stormy Sandia Mountains

Thankfully today was more sunny and warmer.  I first stopped in at a small park in Albuquerque to find a Western Screech Owl that has been seen there snoozing in a tree.  Considering 90% of the trees in the park were too small for an owl, it was pretty easy to find him.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Western Screech Owl

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Snoozin’ the day away

I love seeing owls in the wild.  It’s always a real treat.  After taking a few pics, I moved so as not to disturb him or draw attention to him from the other folks playing in the little park.

I then headed over to Willow Creek.  I hadn’t been there in a while so it sounded like fun to go see what was about.  On my way in to the park, I spied this Western Bluebird hunting for dinner.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Western Bluebird

As I was taking photos, he saw something on the ground and I managed to get a few shots of him getting a grub.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

yummy….

It was a good find, so he took off with it to enjoy at his leisure.  Beautiful!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

My favorite photo of the day

Along the trail I saw Lesser Goldfinches, White-Crowned Sparrows, House Finches and Spotted Towhees.  All of these birds were too shy to have their photo taken.  But there were a lot of American Robins about.  They were much more cooperative.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

American Robin

There’s one point on the trail that affords a great view of the Sandias.  I took this pic there.  You can see there’s still snow about half way up the mountain.

20180217_163731

To my delight I spied a Red-Tailed Hawk that was looking for a meal.  Such a beautiful bird!  And look at those claws!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Just before leaving I saw a Say’s Phoebe looking for dinner.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Say’s Phoebe

He too found something to eat and quickly took off with it.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

That’s about it for my short afternoon walks.  But any time hiking, birding and doing photography is a time well spent.