Sliver Moon, Venus, Flash Flood

Venus and the moon rising through the clouds at dawn.

Venus

We did not get rain last night, but there were flash flood warnings for Sandoval County. Obviously, there was a significant amount of rain and flash flooding to the north of us as the Rio Grande’s water level rose about 3 feet last night. It was receding this evening when I was out at the river.

The Rio Grande looking north from Beaver Point last night and tonight.

The Rio Grande looking south from Beaver Point last night and tonight.

The red strip of mud between the light-colored bank and the water is how high the river rose and then fell from last night to tonight. About 3 feet.

Speaking of Beaver Point, a beaver swam by, crawled out of the water, went up onto the bank and disappeared into the willows.

The Black-crowned Night-heron was out hunting on the river to the north of Beaver Point. It looks like it got a fish.

Clouds reaching out this afternoon. No rain on us.

A Hard Heart

Dawn

A hard heart in sun-baked clay

Low flow with Sandias in the background. The river normally flows at the top of the bank I’m standing on. The bank is about four feet higher than the water right now.

A rare view looking north from the middle of the Rio Grande. The river is low enough that I walked around the corner in the top left of the above photo. Normally, the only way to get this view would be from a floatation device or to swim out to the middle of the river because the water is normally from bank to bank at this point.

Sunset last night.

Spunk Rock!

Stormclouds building up threatening to rain. I hope it’s more than just a threat.

Beauty & Woe

The Rio Grande is running lower and lower every day.

A cloudburst where rain never reaches the ground.

The corn should be tall and full of ears of corn by now. Wagner’s Farm usually has a bustling farm store this time of year. There is no sign of activity, no signs advertising available produce.

Hot As Hell

Hot as hell today
One-seventeen in the sun
Sweated like a pig

Half The Dog He Used To Be

Sunset

He thought he was off to school to be tutored
But off to the vet, he went, to get neutered
Now he’s sad, half the dog he used to be
They put on a cone, adding insult to injury
When Buddy recovers from this trauma
They will fix his third eyelid and end that drama
He will be a new dog, like a new day
Oh Buddy you have come a long way

Morning moons

Surprise! Daddy Owl dropped in for a visit.

Daddy Owl eyeing the hummer perched on the branch below him.