A Walk Through the Nature Center

I've been having trouble writing lately. To my faithful blog readers who have sent me emails and called me on the phone expressing concern, yes, I'm OK. Just uninspired. I've had a bad case of writer's block. So for today, I offer you photos in lieu of my usual pithy essay. I'll be back soon. Don't give up on me yet.

The Rio Grande Nature Center is a mere five minutes from home. It's been weeks since I did anything "fun," so I decided to take the afternoon off, run a few necessary errands, and visit the Nature Center with my good friend of nearly 40 years, Russ, who's visiting from St. Louis. He's spent the better part of this week exploring the Sandias and Petroglyphs while I've tried to get a handle on my heavy work load. It felt good to take some time for myself today.

It was also refreshing to get away from the dogs for an hour this afternoon. While Murphy is a perfect middle-aged gentledog--easy to manage and a joy to walk, Telly is a toddler with exceptional energy and missing manners. Training is a continuous process and I often grow weary of having a puppy bouncing off the walls all day. Telly forces me to never let my guard down. If I do, she instantly challenges my position as pack leader. I love this little dog, but she wears me out. Next time I want another pet, remind me of the joys of keeping goldfish.

The Nature Center was peaceful and warm today. Many of the birds have begun their northward migration, so the walk was quieter than my last visit in November. Additionally, the riparian environment of the bosque is, I'm sure, more lively at dawn than mid-afternoon. The silence was broken by the unmistakable chatter of hummingbirds, telling me they've returned from their winter vacations in warmer climes. I'm eager to hang my hummingbird feeder from the tree on the other side of the dining room window.


The turtles and Canada Geese enjoyed the warm sun on the pond this beautiful spring day in Albuquerque. Even with a few ripples, the water reflected the image of this goose perfectly.



We walked to the Rio Grande and heard lots of things scurrying in the underbrush. A flowering tree caught our attention. I wish I knew what it was.


Russ looks good in his "roadkill hat." He sports a healthy desert glow these days, in spite of sunblock.