Western Pine Elfin

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).

Pipevine Swallowtail

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.

Western Tiger Swallowtail

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.)

Bandelier Ruins

Late afternoon light illuminates Tyuonyi Ruins, at Bandelier National Monument.

Last Night's Sunset

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

East Fork

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. :)

Red-Winged Blackbird

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

No Name

A sign marking an almost nameless private road in the Jemez.

Jemez Cottonwoods

A pair of grand old cottonwoods frame the red rock mesas of Jemez country.

Bandelier Wildfire

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.)

Sandia Mountains

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.

Scaled Quail

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

Elena Gallegos Sunset

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

Old Door Bolt

A rusted bolt on an old door at the Tucumcari train station.

Return of the Roof Angels

The angels on the roof of the quintessential New Mexican car are accompanied by their new friends the aliens.

Manzano Windmill

A windmill in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains.

Longhorn Ranch

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.

Sombrero Restaurant

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).

Route 66 Pilgrim

An Route 66 acolyte poses in front of one of the many murals painted in Tucumcari by Doug and Sharon Quarles.

Apache Plume

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.

Busted on Route 66

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

Garden Patio

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

Wrong Way

Wrong way sign near the old railroad station in Tucumcari.

Tepee Curios

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

Another Fine 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. ;-)

Prickly Pear

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

Lone Horse

A lone horse on the New Mexican plains.

Sagebrush Checkerspot

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

BioPark Train

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