Red Hot Pokers

Red hot pokers with Russian sage in the background, spotted in Albuquerque the other day. (Many thanks to those of you who identified them.)

Summer Sunset

Virga clouds at sunset are a sign that the monsoon season is approaching.

Blooming Century Plant

A century plant blooms in a yard nestled against the Sandia foothills. Century plants are members of the agave family and derive their name from the fact that they live many years before they bloom. (The owner of this agave told me he'd had it for at least 30 years.) They die after they bloom.

Sandia Foothills at Sunset

A view I never tire of.

Jemez Pueblo Cholla

Cholla cactus blooms against the red rock background of Jemez Pueblo.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

A Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterfly (nymphalis milberti), spotted in the Jemez.

Cholla Blossom

A cholla cactus blooms against a classic New Mexican sky.

Abert's Squirrel

An Abert's squirrel high on La Luz last weekend. He was a very social little being -- kind of kept playing hide and seek with me.

Apache Plume Silhouette

The fluff on an Apache Plume is silhouetted by the setting sun.