We had a plan all set to spend the week exploring on the north end of the Gila National Forest near Datil, NM. But, at the last minute, it became clear that the weather was not going to cooperate. So we adjusted and went to the South Monticello Campground at Elephant Butte and did day trips into ghost-towns, wildlife refuges and isolated canyons. It was a good trip. Hope you will enjoy the pictures. 

Welcome to New Mexico. This is the West.

The view from the South Monticello Campground over the Rio Grande and towards the Fra Cristobal Mountains. There was rain around us for much of the week. 

And this is the Rio Grande near our campsite - with rain to the north of us. 

Western Kingbird

Abstract Impressions in Truth or Consequences, NM 

And Sunset from our campsite.

San Mateo Mountains

Winston and Chloride New Mexico 

Sky turning to rain in the afternoon

Pelicans flying through the stormy sky.

Fragment of a rainbow rises over the Fra Cristobal Mountains.

A male Phainopepla. We've only seen these once before, and this fellow was the first bird we saw at Bosque del Apache.

Great Blue Heron and a Swallow

. . . and the Turkey jumped over the moon . . . 

We have also posted a video of Wild Turkeys at Bosque del Apache:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc-aaFO5vGE

Pelicans and a Great Blue Heron

A female Red-winged Blackbird in the Cattail reeds

Black Phoebe

Roadrunner

Kestrel

Sunflowers and multi-colored grasses

Knotweeds

San Lorenzo Canyon is about five miles down this gravel road, and then another two miles driving down a dry creek-bed. The dry wash is very intimidating, but it's worth the effort. 

In San Lorenzo Canyon

Back at the campground: Sunset over the Rio Grande