Balmorhea State Park August 18 & 19

Reluctance to move on to lower elevations and hotter temperatures was soon replaced with euphoria of wide open skies and unobstructed horizons. I celebrated with fantastic views of Venus and Jupiter in the predawn sky. 

Closer to the horizon the "Belt of Venus" that pink band at the edge of the Earth's shadow was mesmerizing.












The waning crescent moon rode even higher in the darker blue sky.

Stepping around the coach, I found my self surrounded by bats....

leaning against the motorhome, I snapped multiple photos and managed to snag a few blurs as they entered the narrow spaces between the rafters of the roof. I could even hear the high pitched echo-location cries as the swarm roiled around the site.







Shortly after sunrise we were on Ranch Road 1932, aka Boy Scout Road about 7 miles from the State Park. Last time we drove this road was 2 months after the devastating Rock House Fire that ravaged the area in 2011. The vegetation has recovered nicely, the range land was green and lush.

Red-tailed Hawk perched on utility pole within the first quarter mile...

I couldn't decide if he had an injured foot with missing talons.










Queen butterflies were abundant in the flowering brush and dragonflies patrolled the roadway. My photos of the Halloween Pennant were all fuzzy but I lucked out on this Widow Skimmer.

The monsoon rains in the Davis Mountains had filled the canyon with running water. 

 so clear the rocky bottom was easily visible.

The hillsides were varied shades of green

 and flood debris was evident

A flutter of Butters was spelling binding, 

Tiger Swallowtail, Pipevine, Black Swallowtail and Painted Lady, plus several skippers and other tiny B'flies were so entranced with the mud, I couldn't shoo them away. 

Tiny blue Damsels dotted the surface multiplied by reflections. 

Miles and miles of miles and miles of Texas. 

This redtail looked offended at his privacy being invaded. 

As we appreciated the massive shade, the sound of a real cattle drive echoed all around and a beautiful Yellow Warbler teased among the foliage high overhead. 

Flycatcher on the wire,  Peewee, maybe?

After a delicious enchilada lunch at La Cueva del Oso, we attempted Lake Balmorhea, undoubtedly the ugliest lake in the world, but an oasis and bird magnet. As the temperature soared to 102, 

Turkey Vultures waded in the shallows and Egrets panted in the marsh. 

Scattered thunderstorms relieved the sweltering landscape on our way home. 

Tunnel Vista and Wills Canyon

Time is running out for our Sacramento Mountain summer, so we're trying to cover the places we've delayed.

First, Tunnel Vista on Hwy 82 on the dry side of the mountains going to Alamogordo. Amazingly, we haven't stopped here even once this year although we've made weekly trips to Alamo since June 6.

A visitor was so excited to share his sighting of the Barbary Sheep, he called them "Ram's Horn"

Was pretty exciting to see how agile and sure footed these animals are, exoctic though they may be. 

The ruggedness of this side of the mountains is amazing. The thin green line at the bottom of the canyon

reveals the hidden water far below. 

Braver souls than me often hike (climb) to the recreation area below. 

Thank goodness Alvin doesn't mind posing for photos. 

 Another location we drove past numerous times was the recently restored Trestle Vista overlooking Mexican Canyon Trestle

The  highest trestle and one of the few remaining remnants of the "Cloud Climbing Railroad" , the reason for the creation of Cloudcroft has been an attraction since before my childhood days in Artesia.

Again, I used Alvin to document our stop. 

The newly completed Vista stop uses replicas of the original ties for benches 

and trestle components to relate some railroad history to travelers stopping by. 

The next place on out list was Wills Canyon. Everytime we drove Upper Rio Penasco we would say we have to drive Wills Canyon so August 7 this was our destination. 

The monsoon season in full swing was evident in the towering alto cumulus building over the mountains and the ruts and washouts on Will Canyon road. 

The creek was running and  high water debris was evident on the sides of the canyon. We met a forest service employee removing downed trees from across the roadway. 

 Ancient structures abounded, cattle pens

Cabins

Not sure of the purpose of some of them

This old vehicle has been used for target practice, shades of Bonnie and Clyde.

House and root cellar

Again, another history lesson waiting to be learned. 

under the watchful eye of the majesty of the sky

Odds and Ends and another birdy Wednesday.

July 29 we decided to take a short detour to check the marsh at the foot of Miller Flat Road.

 Only 1 Yellow-headed Blackbird was present near the cattle pens.

Hanging with the cowbirds

This unusually marked cow warranted a solo photo op

Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtails love the musk thistle, a highly invasive plant. 

We could hear a Common Yellowthroat, but he managed to evade my camera. 

Wednesday was our birding day with Kathy and Terri, we opted for La Luz Canyon, one of the original logging roads into the mountains before the railroad was constructed. 

The drive through Dry Canyon was amazing, the monsoon rains have transformed the roadsides into a kaleidoscope of brilliant reds and yellows and whites. The array of greens is boggling, too. 

Tularosa Canyon was loaded with Orange-crowned Warbler and House Wren. The Lazy/Sleepy Daisy, yellow and white, were closed upon arrival, twenty minutes later they were awakening to the warming sun. 

La Luz Canyon was alive with birds, too. Dark-eyed Junco, the local trash bird, didn't disappoint today. I counted "hoards". Stellar's Jay, Chipping Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker. 

The highlight was this...

 Cooper's Hawk dropped into the road, apparently his choice of prey was too heavy. He rested for 3 minutes, seemed longer, 

before taking flight into the woods carrying his treasure away. We were careful not to press him and luckily no other vehicles were on the road that morning. 

Just minutes and not even a mile later, Red-tailed Hawk came overhead with a tiny mouse for his morning repast, which he devoured quickly. Terri dubbed  it the Raptor Buffet. 

We decided to take Bailey Canyon Road and located a great meadow filled with Western Wall Flower and Northern Fritillary. 

Atop the ridge, we located Juvenile Mountain Bluebird, Juvenile Townsend Solitaire, Violet Green Swallow, and Pine Siskin. I also found Stinging Nettle. Luckily the Wet Ones took away the sting quickly. Another reason to carry those wipes everywhere. 

We finished the day with a delightful lunch at Cloud Cafe on Burro Street, a neat little bistro with excellent chicken salad. 

Another perfect morning with good friends, good birds, good weather, and fantastic scenery. 

Aqua Chiquita Canyon July 27

From Sunspot Highway to Sacramento through Aqua Chiquita Canyon...

Aqua Chiquita means "Little Water" 

New Mexico Fish and Wildlife and National Forest Service along with financial support from fishermen and hunters through habitat improvement stamps have constructed barriers to prevent more erosion and destruction by local cattle. 

The efforts have certainly paid off, as the entire canyon is filled with yellow flowers alive with a diverse insect population. 

The upper portion of the canyon contained an abandoned ranch

 

The main house nestled among the pines

The small house stood neared the road

The barn was perched higher up the slope

A few miles up the road this little cabin was all alone 

Would love to know the history behind the mystery.

 Who lived here, when did they leave this beautiful land and why?