Volunteer position at Bluewater Lake State Park, New Mexico

I arrived at Bluewater Lake State Park a couple of days ago.  The manager had told me to park behind the Visitor Center, so I set up my campsite, and then went to meet a friend.

Some of you have followed the blog Me and My Dog...and my RV.
Barbara had arrived at this park a few days ago.  She always picks a campsite that has a great view and this time was no exception.

Blue Water Lake State Park

The elevation here is 7600 ft, which means it is cooler than City of Rocks.
The habitat here is a mountainous pinyon juniper forest.  The trees are not very tall, but they are tall enough for shade on a hot day, but do not block the view over the area.

The skies are cloudy and we had one heavy rain!  Monsoon season will be arriving in a few weeks!

Female mountain bluebird

Female grackle

Rough Legged Hawk

When driving the entrance road of City of Rocks State Park, I kept getting a glimpse of a hawk, but not a great look.

I spent several hours studying my hawk references, so that if I got a good look, I could figure out what the species is.

Finally, I got my chance! 

Rough Legged Hawk

This hawk had a lizard he was eating for lunch, so he sat on the pole while I got his photo!

Notice the feathers that come way down on the legs of this bird.  That is the basis of the name given him.

Such a regal being.

Visitors from Texas

Last week I enjoyed visitors from Texas.  Becky and Gene had been my neighbors for over 30 years.  They were travelling to Washington State to see their grandson graduate from high school.

One day we went to Gila Cliff Dwellings.  It was a hot day and I felt that I could not hike that trail in the heat. So I waited in the shade at the entrance and watched birds.  I enjoyed the songs they sung and got a few photos.

Nuthatch

The Gila River flows through the canyon where the Gila Cliff Dwellings are, and this moist habitat provides beauty  in plant life and animal life.

Scrub Jay