July 18 we located a "muddle" of butterflies on Indian Service Road #10 up to the Zinker Canyon trailhead.
Most were 4 Spotted Skipperlings
This is a top view, and yes, there are more than 4 spots on those wings,
the name comes from the 4 white spots on the under hind wing.
Both Marine and Reakirt's Blue gathered nutrients from the mud.
This has been a wonderful summer for lifers, feathered and otherwise.
This Vivid Dancer was hanging out around
the spring that runs through Spud Patch Canyon at the north end of Dry Canyon Road.
The Trestle Recreation area in Cloudcroft is another favorite spot and the location of another life sighting on July 10.
Three-toed Woodpecker
Characteristic bark flaking of the three-toed woodpecker
A herd of elk along Hwy 82 at dusk
Spectacular conjunction of Moon, Venus, and Jupiter on
one of the few clear nights for the entire month.
My first Calliope Hummingbird showed up late on July 23
and early next morning I waited near the feeder for the perfect shot.
The Rufous was not so cooperative
but patience paid off
Curtis Canyon Road produced this new butterfly, a Duskywing (Erynnis)
Even BugGuide.net hasn't given me a positive ID as to species.
Lesser Goldfinch finally discovered the thistle seed feeder
July 27, the young Swainson's Hawk at Holloman Lake wouldn't follow the parents as they flew away.
Peeps and other small shorebirds are a real headache for me
I had suggestions of Western and Least Sandpiper
and Dunlin
This one is a Stilt Sandpiper
these 2 I'm still working on
A trip down Fresnal Canyon on July 23 with a stop at trestle abutments from the old railroad
near the Grandview Trailhead
Thanks to a very informative program at the historical museum we know where to look and how to ID
many railroad locations.
And so it goes.
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