Travel doesn’t come too often for a working fellow rooted among the eastern rivertops, but when it’s offered, I’m reminded how a fly-fisherman, like any other person who resembles an ordinary human being, is just passing through this life. I can’t always

western bluebird
clutch at those anchor-holds of outdoor recreation (i.e., fishing, hiking, birding…) when I find myself in motion, so I look for other ways to help keep my bearings in the world. I’ll read, listen to music, take a photograph. Reflection helps. As does some analysis.
The American Southwest, drier than any other region of the country, has some excellent water if you know where to find it, but there’s an infinite beauty (for now, we won’t dwell on serious environmental and social issues) that surrounds each spring of water. Here are some photos from New Mexico. Please enjoy.

western kingbirds

hover craft

Jesus not included

SE Alamogordo

descent

Sierra Blanca, 12003′, arguably “highest mtn. in southern U.S.”

the “ancients” traveled through

NM cumulo

day’s end
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About rivertoprambles
Welcome to Rivertop Rambles. This is my blog about the headwaters country-far afield or close to home. I've been a fly-fisher, birder, and naturalist for most of my adult life. I've also written poetry and natural history books for thirty years. In Rambles I will mostly reflect on the backcountry of my Allegheny foothills in the northern tier of Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York State. Sometimes I'll write about the wilderness in distant states, or of the wild places in the human soul. Other times I'll just reflect on the domestic life outdoors. In any case, I hope you enjoy. Let's ramble!
Beautiful pictures. What is the canyon third from the bottom?
Thanks Junior. You were looking at the canyon (uncertain of its name) along U.S. 82 outside of Alamo. heading up to Cloudcroft.
P.S. You can see White Sands in the upper left section.
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Walt, I echo Junior’s sentiments – those are some of the most beautiful photos ever posted on RR. Nicely done!
Thanks Bob; I’ve got to credit some of the effect to the sobering clarity of the NM air.
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Beautiful, a part of the country I’ve never been to, but from the looks of your photo well worth exploring. Thanks for sharing Walt!
Before I’d ever been there, Long, I got hooked on the place by reading about it… Books like Ed Abbey’s Desert Solitaire, and Sand County Almanac. Thanks for the feedback.
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Great photos! Nice that you captured the humming bird. Leaves much to reflect upon.
Thanks Mary. The hummer was photo’d at Cloudcroft, altitude 9000+, which I like to think helped me “get in close.”
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That days end shot is beautiful.
When I stumbled out and saw this, Alan, I felt lucky.
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Very nice photos. I like the one of the birds the best.
Thanks Keith! The kingbirds were cooperative for me.
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