The leaves have busted out in Corrales and the ditches are now full. Usually this signals big changes in the animals seen. Not so much this year, but still hopeful.
The process of flooding fields through watergates is complicated, and has to be co-ordinated.
The warmer days is increasing animal activity, even as the windy weather is keeping dog walkers indoors.
As well, as the elm and cottonwood, many other trees are dropping seeds. These seeds are excellent and free kid toys.
Down in the bosque, these large spiders have laid out a carpet of web sensors. Unfortunately the blowing dust means this trap will have to be reset.
The variety of insects at night is pretty impressive. I think this is a cricket, but it looks odd
To many, all the turtles in the ditch look the same. The red eared sliders definitely are the dominant species in scuzzy ditch, because they are so active.
But if you look at the shells there can be differences, the posterior side of this turtle is all spiky and upturned. This species is a snapper and has a long tail and a big head. they are much more secretive and are much harder to find.
This big egret has a mane and a beard and is a big snowy egret, a fish specialist. A very showy bird.
This cattle egret looks similar at first glance, but it is much smaller, yellow and is usually found in flooded fields looking for all sorts of insects and small critters disturbed by the water.
This summer tanager is a little rarer to see. Mostly known for feeding on the abundant wasps we have right now. A very charismatic bird.
the numbers of lizards is exploding, these are affected by the field flooding and are much more visible at this time.
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