SWFeral Loc: SWNM

This won't look like a damp, verdant landscape to most of you, but we finally started getting rain (ten weeks late) and suddenly there are hints of color, and the ground doesn't crackle as you walk on it. I apologize in advance to any of you experiencing hurricane conditions; you probably don't want to hear me gloat over an inch of rain here and there.

I took these photos along the southern leg of the Continental Divide Trail which happens to run through some spectacular scenery. Despite its being a perfectly good trail, I will admit to spending most of this hike not quite on it; that rocky ridge, which I've seen from the highway for decades but never explored, was too much of a temptation. I'm very glad I went to the trouble, because the rock formations were truly beautiful close up. And to make it even better (for me, not most people), just as I stepped through a notch in that knife-edge to make my way down the other side of the hill I was greeted by a Banded rock rattlesnake, who likely couldn't believe what was happening right outside its door. I scrambled to change my camera settings--the snake was practically under a rock and in its shadow--but my subject quickly disappeared under the brush and rubble, giving one final parting rattle as if saying, "I mean it!" before the tail also disappeared.

It would have been a good hike even without that encounter, especially since I also saw a mountain lion track in the wet sand of a creek bed. Plus I got ideas for at least three other areas to check out on subsequent hikes, so stay tuned, hopefully, for more. The greenery will knock your socks off.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Looks like my kind of country, Feral!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Really nice. We got some rain too. Amazing what a little moisture will do.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

You have good taste. Thanks for looking.

William Loc: Mississippi

@

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks for looking.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Beautiful set. My desert is greener than your desert.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Very nice set of images. Glad you finally got the rain.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Great series!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I'm glad you're getting rain too--I think we've all been holding our breath. This time last year we were under constant flood warnings!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I'm sure it is! I've been envious of you for some time now. We don't really even have wildflowers this year, boo. But we also managed to escape any horrendous wildfires, so there's that.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks. I keep hearing that our monsoon is just late this year, so I hope fall brings more moisture.