Classic Pickup

A classic red pickup truck, of unknown make and vintage, at the Route 66 car show.

Ready to Ride

At the Route 66 car show last weekend, ready to go for a drive in a 1955 T-Bird. (Thanks to Janice and Wally, who not only gave me permission to use the photo but who were extraordinarily polite when it became clear that I was absolutely clueless about cars!)

Route 66 Car Show

Hanging out at the 2006 Old Route 66 Car Show Saturday afternoon. The show was part of a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Route 66.

Route 66: La Puerta

La Puerta Lodge in Albuquerque, an old Route 66 motor court. Seems like only recently that the sign has indicated vacancies. You can see an old La Puerta postcard here.

Sandia Wildfire

I thought it was part of the clouds at first. But it was very windy, and for a moment, that tiny "cloud" beneath the cloud bank became vertical instead of horizontal -- and I realized I was looking at the beginnings of a fire. Haven't heard anything about it since I saw it last night, so I'm guessing it's out (keeping my fingers crossed).

Golden Hour

A house in the Sandia foothills, lit by the late afternoon sun.

Marine Blue Butterfly

I think this is a marine blue (Leptotes marina). This is a tiny butterfly (each wing is about the size of my thumbnail -- and I have fairly small hands); it's called a blue because the top side of its wings have a blue tint.

Corrales Vineyard

A vineyard in Corrales, with the Sandia mountains in the background.

Queen Butterfly

A queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) at the PNM Butterfly Pavilion in Albuquerque.

Prairie Dog Sentries

Two prairie dogs cautiously peer out of their burrows.
(No, they aren't ET's offspring -- I don't think.)

Scaled Quail

Definitely the closest I've ever gotten to a scaled quail.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking in the Sandia foothills (with a little help from Matthew -- and Photoshop).

Bosque Ditch

Along a ditch in the bosque, in Corrales.

Swan Lake

A swan and its reflection in the pond at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

Fire Hazard

Our drought continues unabated, and most of the Sandia Ranger District remains closed due to the high risk of wildfire.

Widow Skimmer

I've known this dragonfly as a "zebra" in the past, but it appears it's actually called a widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa).

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

I believe this dragonfly is a blue dasher (Pachydiplex longipennis).

Jemez River

Looking north along the Jemez River.

Century Plant Blossoms

Century plant blossoms, up close and personal. It's usually hard to see them because, by the time they bloom, the stalks are way taller than most people (including yours truly).

Tiger Swallowtail

A western tiger swallowtail butterfly rests on a blade of grass.

Bandelier: Upper Falls

The upper waterfall at Bandelier National Monument.

Jemez Fence

Fence along Santa Fe Forest Road 376.

Jemez Reflections

Ponderosa reflections in a small pool in the Jemez.

Southwestern Fountain

A sign in Old Town Albuquerque, seen through a stucco fountain adorned with ristras.

Bandelier: Lower Falls

The lower falls at Bandelier National Monument. You can read a description of the hike here.

Alcove House

Alcove House (formerly called the Ceremonial Cave) at Bandelier National Monument.

Cholla Blossom

The chollas have started blooming.

Orange Butterfly

A variegated fritillary butterfly (Euptoieta claudia) perches on a cosmos blossom.

Northern Pygmy Owl

I got lucky last week and saw this pygmy owl at Bandelier -- thanks to Sally the ranger, who was standing there taking pictures of it (I would never have seen it otherwise).