As I have done most afternoons lately, I drove up to Orilla Verde, to see what was going on. I had my fly rod and tackle in the van, but didn’t think it likely that I would go fishing, since the water had just jumped up to 900 cfs – too high for fly fishing.
But I had both my cameras with me – my Coolpix P600 Superzoom, and my Nikon D90, with an 80-300 zoom lens. I suspected that there would be some flowers already blooming, and I was right. And beside flowers, I knew that I could get some wildlife sightings.
I had noticed, at Petaca CG a few days back, that Western bluebirds were around. And they were again today, perching on posts. All the photos that follow were taken with the Coolpix, except those noted as being taken with the D90.
Western bluebird
Western bluebird
A few yards up the road, I noticed this squirrel, eating Siberian elm seeds.
Squirrel (D90)
I was heading for the Gauging Station area, which I usually visit in the Spring to find blooming cactus, but stopped on the way to photograph a pair of mallards, and a favorite section of the gorge rim.
A good-looking male mallard and a frowzy-looking female (D90)
West rim of the Rio Grande Gorge (D90)
I saw, as I arrived at the Gauging Station, a group of 4 mule deer, down at the water on the opposite side of the river. They didn’t get too alarmed by my presence across the river, but started to amble slowly away. About a week ago, I saw 3 Bighorn rams in the very same spot.
Mule deer
Mule deer, amongst basalt boulders and sage
Then I started my search for blooming cactus and early flowers.
Fleabane and Green hedgehog cactus (left), close to blooming
Fleabane
Green hedgehog cactus
Green hedgehog cactus, with a $1 bill beside it for scale. It’s a very small cactus, and easy to miss.
Claret cup (also a hedgehog cactus)
Also blooming was the Western wallflower.
Western wallflower
Sagebrush and lichen-decorated basalt boulders
Gauging Station Rapid, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Then I continued upstream to the Taos Junction Bridge area.
Sign at the Rio Grande Spring
Teasel, willows and a mullein stalk, alongside the river
Cottonwood tree, with catkins, next to the spring
Mayfly, on my windshield
Well … I sure got my money’s worth on this two-hour jaunt! You just GOTTA love the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument!
