Highway 380, New Mexico: Dead Snake

I like snakes.

Too bad about this one.

Maybe a western diamondback rattlesnake, Highway 380, just east of San Antonio, New Mexico

Western diamondback rattlesnake?

It was a long one.

It is now part of my photo collection of carcasses.

New Mexico: Lunch and Dinner off the Road

On Sunday, I had lunch here:

Turnout from the Jemez Scenic Trail (Highway 4), between Fenton Lake State Park and La Cueva, New Mexico. 

Turnout from the Jemez Scenic Trail (Highway 4), between Fenton Lake State Park and La Cueva, New Mexico

Joining me were lizards; a chipmunk; some very loud, assertive, flying grasshoppers; and a hawk overhead. 


... and dinner here:

View toward Carrizozo from Valley of Fires, off Highway 380, New Mexico

Dinner was less serene than lunch, as the gnats drove me back into my car so I could eat in peace.

I enjoyed a visual digestif as I completed my drive home on Highway 54 at dusk:

Highway 54, looking east, between Carrizozo and Three Rivers Petroglyphs, New Mexico

Valley of Cow Patties, erm, Fires, New Mexico

Cow Patty Hill, New Mexico. No, really, Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Yes, I get the fire bit .. lava ... volcano ... hot sulphurous fumes .... but visually, it's all a field of cow patties.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

 Here is an actual cow patty. Judge for yourself.

Cow patty. Credit: K.A. Lewis

The boardwalk trail at Valley of Fires Recreation Area is wheelchair accessible. Nice. It's a pleasant walk through the lava field. Although it was hot the day I strolled through, there was a lively breeze, so it was very comfortable.
 

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Also, it's spring in the high desert, so there were flowers. Because of the intense sunlight, I boosted the color saturation and contrast so you can see the blooms. I need to do some research on how to take photos in full sunlight.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

Valley of Fires, Highway 380, New Mexico.

 

San Antonio, New Mexico: The Rio Grande in Spring

Rio Grande in spring, Highway 380 outside San Antonio, New Mexico

One of the best things about my version of slow travel - staying in one place for an entire year - is that I can see how seasons change the environment.

So it is I've been able to see this part of the Rio Grande in the fall, winter, and now the spring.

San Antonio, New Mexico: The Rio Grande in Winter

The Rio Grande, December.
Highway 380, just outside San Antonio, New Mexico.

Rio Grande, Highway 380, outside San Antonio, New Mexico

Rio Grande, Highway 380, outside San Antonio, New Mexico

Rio Grande, Highway 380, outside San Antonio, New Mexico