Here are a variety of the desert flowers, grasses and cactus that were blooming at Desert Harbor Retreat.
Desert Harbor Retreat — The Setting
Our stay at Desert Harbor Resort was a Christmas gift from Laurie’s parents, and we scheduled our stay for our 32nd wedding anniversary. Desert Harbor Resort is run by Raymond and his wife Wesley. Guests stay in a small house up the hill from the main house nestled below undulating cliffs among the juniper and piñon trees. The nightly rate includes breakfast, and guest have the option of ordering dinners as well. Guests can also get life counseling, time in a hot tub, and schedule messages for additional fees. There is a labyrinth guests can walk in and then sit in the center and meditate. On the other side of the cliffs the porch faces is a covered lookout, with a chair and a hammock, overlooking a canyon where one can relax, read or meditate. There are also trails for hiking in the canyon and beyond.
Off The Grid
From Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon we have been on the east side of the Sandias at Desert Harbor Retreat, completely off the grid with no cell phone coverage or Internet. I have a lot of photos to process of landscapes, plants, flowers, insects, lizards and a large snake we encountered during our two night, day and a half stay at Desert Harbor. Today’s photo is a panorama of the storm clouds over the east side of the Sandias on Thursday evening.
Woody
Woody the wood duck was paddling around, took a break on the bank, and then paddled out to check out a hen with her ducklings. I can’t say whether the hen and ducklings are wood ducks or not.
Cooper
A Cooper’s Hawk in the bosque by the Rio Grande near Alameda Bridge.
Fuzzy Dice & Open Wings
I got a drive-by of a 1954 Bel Air complete with fuzzy dice on the dashboard, open wings and a “hippie” as it was cruising down I-40.
Cats & Roses
Reflections In Muddy Water
Just south of the Alameda bridge, there are various ponds filled with muddy water from the Rio Grande, that reflect nicely on a still day.
Day for the Dead
Ducks In A Row
Following the ducks is a bit of “macro madness” — I found various interesting critters in the iris and roses. While I was out moving hoses to hook up drip systems, this female mallard hopped up on the neighbor’s wall. Then she hopped back down, and I could hear her making little quacking noises. When I looked over the wall, she was marching off with four ducklings in a row behind her.
Off Center & Not Even 