Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Western Pine Elfin

western pine elfin butterfly
A western pine elfin butterfly (Callophrys eryphon) drinking from a minuscule flower. This is a tiny butterfly, about the size of a Sandia hairstreak (thanks to Steve Cary of New Mexico State Parks for the ID).

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Pipevine Swallowtail

pipevine swallowtail butterfly at the PNM Butterfly Pavilion
A pipevine swallowtail butterfly at the PNM Butterfly Pavilion, which opened Friday. This photo shows the underside of its wings; click here to see what the top side looks like.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Western Tiger Swallowtail

western tiger swallowtail butterfly in a stream
I've been trying to get a shot of one of these butterflies for four years! They fly too high and fast for me to get a good focus on them. Finally, I found this one last weekend in the Jemez. (Click here for more photos of native New Mexican butterflies.)

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Bandelier Ruins

late afternoon light slants over tyuonyi ruins at Bandelier National Monument
Late afternoon light illuminates Tyuonyi Ruins, at Bandelier National Monument.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Last Night's Sunset

albuquerque sunset
I just can't help myself. It's so easy to stand out on the balcony and shoot sunset photos!

Thursday, May 25, 2006

East Fork

along the east fork of the jemez river
The east fork of the Jemez River. The Forest Service finally replaced the log bridge with a real one so folks like yours truly can a) cross without getting wet; and b) take photos without getting their cameras wet. :)

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Red-Winged Blackbird

a male red-winged blackbird sings his song
A male red-winged blackbird sits on the reeds at Fenton Lake and sings for all he's worth.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

No Name

private road called No Name in the Jemez
A sign marking an almost nameless private road in the Jemez.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Jemez Cottonwoods

red rock mesas in the jemez, framed by cottonwood trees
A pair of grand old cottonwoods frame the red rock mesas of Jemez country.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Bandelier Wildfire

smoke from the Capulin wildfire clouds the sky over Bandelier National Monument
Smoke from the Capulin fire at Bandelier National Monument clouds the landscape. (Did I mention it's been an incredibly dry year? It feels as if the entire state is a tinderbox, just waiting to go up.)

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Sandia Mountains

late afternoon view of the Sandia Mountains from the foothills
A late afternoon view of the Sandias. They're so dry this year that the wilderness areas have been closed -- because of fire restrictions -- for a week already.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Scaled Quail

a scaled quail perches on a fence post
A scaled quail perching on a fence post basks in the morning sun.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Elena Gallegos Sunset

vivid sunset, seen from elena gallegos picnic area
An exceptionally colorful sunset, even by New Mexican standards, as seen from Elena Gallegos Picnic Area the other evening.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Monday, May 15, 2006

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Longhorn Ranch

longhorn ranch sign on old route 66 in Moriarty
One of the Longhorn Ranch signs on old Route 66 in Moriarty. The circle to the right of the word MOTEL used to contain the Longhorn Ranch's brand: an upright 2, a 2 on its side, and the letter P. It read, "Two, lazy two, P." The Ranch's main claim to fame these days is a topless bar.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Sombrero Restaurant

la cita, a restaurant with a sombrero
The last remaining sombrero restaurant on old Route 66, according to Dr. Ned O'Malia. The caricature of a Mexican over the door is saying, "Mauricio the Taco Kid," and "Welcome, Bienvenidos." La Cita is in Tucumcari (and has a pretty great neon sign too, a sort of sombrero itself).

Friday, May 12, 2006

Route 66 Pilgrim

a traveler on old route 66 poses in front of a mural in tucumcari
An Route 66 acolyte poses in front of one of the many murals painted in Tucumcari by Doug and Sharon Quarles.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Apache Plume

apache plume blossom and fruits
Easily the best shot I've ever gotten of Apache Plume. You can see a flower bud in the upper left; the plumes themselves show up after the blossoms drop off.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Busted on Route 66

remnants of an old car and gas pump on old route 66
The remnants of an old car and gas pump at Bob Audette's place, east of Edgewood.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Garden Patio

patio at rio grande botanic garden
A patio at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden in Albuquerque, covered and supported by dried cactus branches.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Wrong Way

wrong way sign in Tucumcari
Wrong way sign near the old railroad station in Tucumcari.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Tepee Curios

tepee curio store in tucumcari
A late afternoon view of the Tepee Curio shop on Route 66 in Tucumcari (the neon view is here).

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Another Fine Sunset

another fine albuquerque sunset
Yet another vivid sunset as viewed from my balcony. It's not easy being a photographer, you know -- I had to put down the chips and salsa so I could get this shot. ;-)

Friday, May 05, 2006

Prickly Pear

prickly pear cactus with new growth
New growth on a prickly pear cactus is framed by a painted wall in Albuquerque.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Sagebrush Checkerspot

sagebrush checkerspot butterfly on apache plume
A sagebrush checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne acastus) drinks from an Apache plume blossom.

Monday, May 01, 2006

BioPark Train

albuquerque biopark narrow gauge train
The Tingley Beach narrow gauge train comes into view at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, part of Albuquerque's BioPark.