fish

 

The sun is setting on another day. For some reason the fishing birds are back

They are more tolerant of close quarters than usual, even if they look grumpy about it.

 

 

Up on the sandy side of Corrales, the numbers of quail appear to have jumped, as they have become much more active

In the ditches, the muskrats and their activities are also much more visible. This one is getting pretty bold.

This turtle is actually sunning itself on top of a muskrat nest. The reeds are growing back defiantly after the severe cutting they received last fall.

The large number of insects has brought out the spiders. I'm waiting to see what species this funnel web will be.

 

Usually you can't see mice. But I've seen two in two days now. Hopefully this means the snakes will be coming out soon? The mice seem to prefer nesting in large tumbleweed piles.

Up on the mesa, a burst hydrant line demonstrates how the waters will flow down the arroyos once the monsoons start. Notice how the clays and sand separates, forming small pools.

The soil can hold moisture for a surprisingly long time. Enough time for desert tadpoles to grow and escape.

The gardens that look so pretty are also a haven for invasive weeds like these dandelion.

This is cultivated lilac. The pollen must be buried deep inside the tiny flowers.

My app I use for flower identification is pretty useless when it comes to the local garden tree blossoms. Everything is labelled as a cherry/plum/apple species.

This is an almond for sure. Good climate for them, but not often seen here.

Even those these two blossoms look similar, they are very different species

I couldn't tell you what they are though.