Last week, we had planned to camp in the nearby Lincoln National Forest for a few days. However, since our favorite campsite in our favorite campground was available, we decided to stay for a week. 

The New Mexican monsoon season has begun. That means that it is now hot and humid in Las Cruces instead of hot and dry. But it was cool and humid in the mountains. Everything was green and bursting with life. The plants and animals were healthy and abundant. The daily rain showers gave us an opportunity to take afternoon naps in the trailer after morning walks in the woods.

Our Campsite

Aspen grove.

Ponderosa forest.

Great Mullein.

Thistle.

Rocky Mountain Zinnias.

Thistle.

The Rim Trail runs for about 30 miles along the ridge overlooking the Tularosa Valley. 

We only hiked a couple of those miles, but it was beautiful. 

Mike along the Rim Trail. 

Mike taking a picture of a flower. 

Feather found lying on the ground. 

We have no good ID on it, but one friend has suggested it looks like it's from a Great Horned Owl. 

Dennis along the Rim Trail. 

Gypsy Moth Caterpillar.

Since the Woods were very damp, there were mushrooms everywhere. These are Velvet Foot mushrooms. 

Pinewood Gingertail mushrooms.

Pinewood Gingertail mushrooms with Wood Sorrel.

Bronze Capped mushroom.

Some mushrooms even had snails munching on them.

Mule Deer doe. 

Young Mule Deer buck. 

Three wild stallions in the woods

Harebell

Red Admiral butterfly on Verbena

Mike on the trail into an abandoned Boy Scout campground.

Boy Scout building.

Boy Scout Via Dolorosa path to the assembly ground.

Dennis and another Boy Scout building. 

More mushrooms along the trail. 

Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds dining on Verbena.

Ponderosa Springs Ranch and the Capitan Mountain range and wilderness. 

A very colorful grasshopper.

Indian Paint Brush.

Yellow Primrose after a shower. 

We are not sure, but we think this may be a female Cassins Flycatcher.