Just returned from a trip to New Mexico highlighted by the birds at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, but a few mammals showed themselves along the way—not counting the road kill and the Golden Eagle I passed by at 75 mph eating a carcass.
My first morning stop was Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque. The park spreads over several areas on the outskirts of the city along a volcanic rift where Ancestral Pueblo people made petroglyphs 400-700 years ago. Most of the units don’t open until 8 or 9 a.m., but Piedras Marcadas Canyon trail stays open. I made it for a great sunrise, and saw some iconic Albuquerque hot air balloons also enjoying the sunrise. This one later came down for a close view of the mesa ridge over the canyon.
The petroglyphs are incised into the lava blocks along the ridge. There are many human and geometric shapes and birds, and some desert animals as well. Some later crosses and cattle brands by Spanish colonists are also found in the rocks.
The petroglyphs are on boulders along the canyon walls. Running among the boulders were some dessert cottontails. They are prey for nearly every predator in the area—hawks, snakes, foxes, bobcats, and the fellow who’ll be in the next image. Hard to see on this image, but the front of this guy’s face showed he had a narrow escape not long before, so he’s showing his speed.
Dessert Cottontail — Petroglyphs National Monument
The mesa ridge overlooks the field of lava boulders. There wandering along the edge was one wily coyote searching for cottontails or similar fare. Unlike the wolf that likely came across the Bering Straight, coyote has ancient American origins. Likely the people who made these petroglyphs told stories of the trickster Coyote.
Near the visitor center at Bosque del Apache NWR are trails through a beautifully tended desert arboretum that has plenty of bird feeders and water sources. I added several birds to my life list in this little area, and was enjoying just sitting listening to the beautiful calls and watching the variety of birds around one feeder. Then this little fellow came up to feed and the birds didn’t seem to care it was sharing the food. This tiny fellow is mouse-sized but called a Hispid Cotton Rat.
Hispid Cotton Rat — Bosque del Apache NWR
Bosque del Apache NWR runs along the banks of the Rio Grande, and is the wintering home of tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Ross’ Geese, and other bird species. Even in times of severe draught as there is now, the fields and water levels are carefully maintained to provide optimum food sources for the birds. I suspect the mule deer enjoy this abundance, too.
Mule deer — Bosque del Apache NWR
Young buck
The Rio Grande has changed its course over the years. The Rio Viejo trail runs through an old channel of the river. The rich soil supports a large cottonwood forest that still held golden autumn leaves. I heard some rustling and spotted a javelina. They have poor eyesight, so I stopped and knelt down. Soon I noticed a dozen of them were eating their way through the woods. One of the boars crossed the trail near me and took a dump. Though he was about the size of my dog Chance, he impressively left behind several days’ worth of what I need to pick up from Chance. After watching and photographing for a while, I stood up. The startled band thundered away.
Javelina or collared peccary