Thursday, December 9, 2010

THE Trip, Living Desert State Park, Carlsbad New Mexico

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence


Even tho Man is feeling icky, we have been wandering away from Tana for a few hours each day, the abundant sunshine drags us out and about.  One of our little jaunts was to take in the Living Desert State Park here in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  The park is a showcase of the Chichuahuan Desert flora and fauna.  You know who took a lot of photos, of course, 117 give or take.  Since they are primarily of flora and fauna they will start appearing over at Reflection's Flora and Fauna, in fact the first photo, The Prickley Pear, has already appeared.  In the next few days you might find Elk, Mexican Gray Wolf, and more.

The park sits atop a hill top, maybe they consider it a mountain top, not quite sure, but, it is up there, and being so, gives great views of Carlsbad and the surrounding desert lands.  The day we visited was W-I-N-D-Y-Y-Y-Y, nearly blew me off the hill top.  You could see the dust blowing around down in town.  Between the dust and the bright bright bright (did I say bright?) sun, taking photos was a challenge.  This one is tweaked in the brightness and contrast.

Down there, those buildings in the sun and dust,
Carlsbad New Mexico

The park has a very nice visitors center with display cases and even a "please touch me" display, full of bugs, and horns of Elk and other fun stuff.  (If you consider bugs 'fun'.)  They also have a fine collection of rocks and minerals from around the US and Mexico, beautiful stuff.  And, I spied this enchanting sculpture by Wren Prather, titled, "Gathering the Mescal".  The piece is not large, but the detail is delightful.


We spent a couple of nice hours strolling around the park, enjoying the flora and fauna, and even though many of the photos will appear, like I said, over at Reflection's Flora and Fauna, I just have to share this one, yes, a prairie dog, they are a Reflection's favorite.




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2 comments:

Barbara Poole said...

What a fat "dog," but they are cute.

Greta Koehl said...

He looks very pleased with himself. Love the picture!