Just a quick page……… I had 2½ hours to kill before the pour started at the Shidoni Foundry, so I headed for the hills. That’s when I started up the Pacheco Canyon Road on the north side of Tesuque last Saturday, and really enjoyed the preview of where I was headed…………

The road follows around to the left on the far side of that hill, but I was distracted by some small white flowers - and their visitors - right away. This with the 105mm Micro Nikkor from about 4 ft away and strongly cropped. Flowers are about the size of a ½dollar…………

Farther up, the road became rougher and rockier. Der Bug loves this, and it got better..??……..

While checking out a small waterfall, a mushroom caught my eye. Good ?? Or not ?? I dunno, so left it be. The 18-70 took this shot. The wild strawberries will bear checking out later this summer…………..

Just upstream of this, an old rock bridge carried the stream under the road. Fascinating. Who built it, and how long ago ?? It’s for certain it’s been here more than a while…………

On the very shady downstream side of this bridge, these red berries instantly caught my eye. Don’t know what they are, so didn’t eat these, either………

Then, a lucky shot. These big yellow flowers are all over the mountain now, and I just hadta get some shots. Didn’t realize till editing time that I also got not one, but two pairs of beetles getting it on. Wow. Racy stuff, Lar. Once again, that terrific 18-70, at 70mm from about 6 ft away. Good lens, that………….

All the way up, from time to time you’ll see a small, personal sized campground right on the banks of the creek. 1st come, 1st served. Very nice……….

Almost to the top now, at over 9,500 ft altitude, and you’ll come into the Aspen forest. Since the small round leaves are attached dead center by a thin, flexible stalk, the breeze flips them back and forth and the green topside and silvery underside create a shimmering effect that gives this tree the nick-name “Quaking Aspen.”

A short distance farther and I hit the highway about ½ mile above Hyde Park. Nice quick trip, and an easy ride down. Perfect morning, and now to the Bronze Foundry………. Lar.

P.S. Believe it or not, this started out to be a couple of show-off pics for a photographer friend, and I just couldn’t help myself, and got carried away as usual.

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Posted: October 21st, 2007 under 07-8-4 Pacheco Canyon, 08 New Mexico.
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