Early Wildflowers

These yellow wildflowers -- called bladderpod -- are some of the first of the year.

Sandia Hairstreak

A Sandia hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi) -- the New Mexican state butterfly -- perches on a blade of beargrass.

Texas Beargrass

Beargrass -- the host plant of the Sandia hairstreak butterfly -- grows in the cracks of a boulder in the Sandia foothills.

Sandia Foothills in March

A blustery March day in the Sandia foothills, when Mother Nature couldn't decide whether it was winter or spring. (If you look closely, you can see two of the tram towers.)

New Mexico's State Butterfly

A Sandia hairstreak, New Mexico's state butterfly, clings to a blade of bear grass.

Grama Grass and Lichen

A dried blade of blue grama grass -- wet from an early morning rain -- is framed against a rock covered with multi-colored lichen.

Window in Mountainair

A window in the wall of the Abó Trading Company, in Mountainair.

Old Town Gazebo

The gazebo in Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza, at golden hour.

Ojito Wilderness

Rock formations and a small canyon in the Ojito Wilderness.

Elena Gallegos Sunset

A classic New Mexican sunset, as seen from Elena Gallegos Picnic Area in Albuquerque.

Old Town Shop

The balcony of a second-floor shop in Old Town Albuquerque is decorated with ristras and an avenging angel.

CCC Stone Cabin

One of several stone cabins built by the CCC in the northwest corner of the Sandia Mountains (this one is at the Juan Tabo Picnic Ground).

Downtown Albuquerque

Downtown Albuquerque, early on a Sunday morning.

Alvarado Reflections

The Alvarado Transportation Center, in downtown Albuquerque, is reflected in the window of an eatery across the street.