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If the pictures are missing, see them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/115393943@ ... 026071353/.

These pictures were taken on 9/20/09, our first day in New Mexico. We were visiting Capulin Volcano. I was surprised to learn that New Mexico has a lot of volcanoes, both extinct and active. We spent most of the day at Capulin, traipsing along the very nice path at the rim of the crater and eventually down into the silent bottom.

Capulin from a distance.


I always get carried away with fences and flowers.


Asters were all over New Mexico the week we were there.




Volcanic stone.


We could see the volcanic field as we climbed up Capulin.


You can see tiny people down at the bottom of the crater.




Interesting trees.


The path around the rim was well maintained.


Glorious grass.


This must have been the season and place for ladybugs.

The Cupulin area is really unique, the whole of NE New Mexico is comprised of recent volcanics, and it's high enough to get a bit more moisture than the surrounding plains and supports all kinds of life.  Huge Pronghorn population in the area.  I lived in Amarillo for several years and drove to the N. Mex/Colorado mountains a lot passing Capulin every time (nearly every weekend in the summer) and got to know that area quite well.   

Nice photos. I normally go to northern NM every year at this time, but didn't make it this year. I really love it there. And on one of my first trips there, in the late '80's, I went up Picuris Peak and there were tons of lady bugs. Glad to see that you saw them, too. I thought it was the peyote.

Highlander wrote: The Cupulin area is really unique, the whole of NE New Mexico is comprised of recent volcanics, and it's high enough to get a bit more moisture than the surrounding plains and supports all kinds of life.  Huge Pronghorn population in the area.  I lived in Amarillo for several years and drove to the N. Mex/Colorado mountains a lot passing Capulin every time (nearly every weekend in the summer) and got to know that area quite well.   

The area is surreal.

Taxi wrote: Nice photos. I normally go to northern NM every year at this time, but didn't make it this year. I really love it there. And on one of my first trips there, in the late '80's, I went up Picuris Peak and there were tons of lady bugs. Glad to see that you saw them, too. I thought it was the peyote.

Ha! The ladybug thing can make you wonder. I'm sure everything will be as you remembered when you do go back.

More pictures of the Capulin Volcano area. Same day.

Here is a small "nest" of ladybugs. We found much larger ones later on.


The volcanic field is pretty.


This isn't really "driftwood," but it looks like it.








Colorful leaves in a mostly gray scene.






Enchanting curly grass.


Notice how the buttons on these flowers are the same color as the petals. And see the bugs.


I took a bunch of pictures of this tree because it captivated me for some reason.

Well that is a change-up from New York. 

I like the 8th picture down from your second post (the landscape one).

IraGlacialis wrote: Well that is a change-up from New York. 

Indeed.

I like the 8th picture down from your second post (the landscape one).

Several people liked that one. I'm not sure why.

Same day. Same place (Capulin Volcano trail).




Beauty knows no size.






Son is checking out one of the larger ladybug nests.






This is the tree that captivated me. Not the one in my last post. I guess they're all nice. You can see it in the above photo, too.


Same tree.


Ditto, now behind me.


Son on trail.

I may use this one for our Christmas card this year.






















This rainbow went all the way across the sky, but I couldn't capture the whole thing.

Roanoker wrote: I may use this one for our Christmas card this year.

If it were cropped to be vertical, the lichen'y shot would be pretty nice, though the ceder goes along with the theme.

That or you can use one of those ladybug swarm shots. 

IraGlacialis wrote: If it were cropped to be vertical, the lichen'y shot would be pretty nice, though the ceder goes along with the theme.

That or you can use one of those ladybug swarm shots. 

Ha! I should turn them into little ornaments and hang them on the tree.

These next pictures were taken on the next day (9/21/09) as we headed out for Taos.

Flowers along the way.


This is the top of a visitor center.


I guess solar panels grow on trees.


Captive subjects.


And another.


This famous bridge goes over the Rio Grande.


There's the river.


A better view of the bridge structure.






Field of asters.


Made it to Taos. Enchanting place.

Taos town square.


Restaurant


One black sheep.






This was on an outdoor wall.


Winery.


Artisan shop.






The walkway was paved with bricks.

So, what did you think of Taos?  My cousin lives there and I have visited it often for a variety of reasons (skiing, art, climbing, geology).   I've always had mixed emotions about the town itself, the town square area is very nice and quite worth the visit but it loses it's continuity as a town beyond that and is actually a bit messy outside of the center.  It's a great setting though with the Rio Grande Gorge and Taos Pueblo nearby.  

I also would not recommend the ski area to a novice, it's a relatively challenging place to ski despite the "Don't Panic" sign at the base of the ski area.  

Highlander wrote: So, what did you think of Taos?

Very nice. So much to see and probably do.

My cousin lives there and I have visited it often for a variety of reasons (skiing, art, climbing, geology).

I don't know about the skiing, but I can attest to the incredible art opportunities of every sort, the climbing without end, and--of course--the in-your-face geology.

I've always had mixed emotions about the town itself, the town square area is very nice and quite worth the visit but it loses it's continuity as a town beyond that and is actually a bit messy outside of the center.  It's a great setting though with the Rio Grande Gorge and Taos Pueblo nearby.

Yes, great setting.

I also would not recommend the ski area to a novice, it's a relatively challenging place to ski despite the "Don't Panic" sign at the base of the ski area.  

I will happily take your advice and stay away from skiing there.

Now for a few more pictures from Taos.












On the road again. A beaut of a butte.


Ash.


We arrived at Los Alamos and walked through one of many neighborhoods with this canyon view in their back yards.


Here is one of the houses.


A few houses on the canyon rim.


And a few more houses.

It is 9/22/09, and we are at Bandelier National Monument.

Son is picking up literature.


This "attraction" had a rather convoluted way of collecting the required-by-law fee. A machine took your real money and dispensed coins, which had to be used for admission. Those without college degrees need not apply. (Kidding.) My camera had a heck of a time focusing in on these coins. I think the extreme contrast was the culprit.


Ever been to an "outdoor museum"?


Pretty rock.


Flowers be everywhere.


Asters mixed in with grass. Love 'em both.


This rock appears to be taking a bite.


Since I have so few pictures of myself (with good reason)...


Ladders were placed along the trail to help hikers proceed more easily. Son climbed up okay.


Husband and son ahead on the trail.


What a place to grow.


Notice how the rock breaks along straight lines.

Still visiting Bandelier National Monument, on 9/22/09.

Son on the trail.




Husband climbing.


There always be flowers.








This is one of the many caves where people used to live. We may have to follow in their footsteps one day.


Son stuck his hand through what served as a chimney.


Now I am in the cave, looking out.




Can't get enough of the ubiquitous asters.

Still on the Bandelier trail.

Portholes on a rock ship.






These grass stalks look as if they are talking with each other.


Son is sitting in a giant chair.


My "star" son.


I like lens flares.


If husband were not on the trail, you might think this was a tiny hill. Notice the "lady finger" shaped results of erosion at bottom right.


This is one example of the many petroglyphs we saw on this trail.


Again, I have a thing for grass and flowers. Here we have both. A bouquet of nature.


Just take a big rock and fold it over.


Okay, so I have a lot of son pictures. He was the only one around to show scale.

A few asters sneak in with another plant.




Petroglyphs were everywhere. This was an outdoor museum.


Hmm. I didn't crop this one right after rotating it.




Notice the person climbing a ladder on the left in the background.


This cactus seems to have fingers.




Notice son on the trail bottom left.


Ladders like this were put wherever they were needed to enable hikers continue on the trail.


I asked these apparently professional photographers if I could take their picture.


This was the view in the other direction.

I have been to New Mexico several times, but I never really knew how beautiful it was until I saw these photos! You definitely have an eye for nature! Great photos!

Where are there active volcanoes in New Mexico?

mykem wrote: I have been to New Mexico several times, but I never really knew how beautiful it was until I saw these photos! You definitely have an eye for nature! Great photos!

Thank you, mykem. My son, who is interested in earth science and has a degree in geology, plans most of our trips. The sights are frequently jaw-dropping. Incredible, stunning beauty can be found in many places.

moderne wrote: Where are there active volcanoes in New Mexico?

This is a question I would need to ask my son, but he works nights, and I don't want to wake him. So I Googled active volcanoes in new mexico and learned from http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/faq/volcanoes/#are that "...there are currently no active volcanoes in New Mexico..." The page at http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/sci_volcanoes.html claims that New Mexico is the Volcano State.

Thanks, wondered if there was something I missed.  I have been in the Valles Caldera, which I think would be termed a supervolcano, and bathed in the fantstic Jemez Hot Springs on its flank.  I have been all over New Mexico, but never to Taos or the Capulin area.  I would like to do a road trip there sometime as the area interests me especially following the route of the old Santa Fe Trail.  It seems like driving from KC to Taos or even Raton in one day would be too much.  Are there any towns with lodging in northeast New Mexico?  Looks quite vacant between Liberal and Raton.