New Mexico

Before the Flyout

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico - sandhill cranes huddle together in the pre-dawn hours. They land each night when the water is still flowing; overnight, it freezes. In this picture, the cranes' feet are frozen in the ice. When it thaws enough for them to break free, they fly away for the day, only to return again the following evening to repeat the process.

'Sandhill Cranes in Flight' - Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA

A pair of sandhill cranes soar through the eary morning air at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.

Marsh

Still waters reflect dead branches in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Black and White.

Unfolding

Close-up of an agave plant reveals intricate, geometric leaves. Tinted black and white.

Unfolding

Close up of an agave plant.

Cactus

Close-up of needles and blossoms on a barrel cactus. Black and White.

Bosque Cranes

Golden light bathes the New Mexico landscape and sandhill cranes.

Solidified Lava

Carrizozo, New Mexico - braided lava from ancient flows lies covered with colorful lichen in Valley of Fire State Park.

'Ouch!' - Carrizozo, New Mexico

A variety of cacti grow from solidified lava flows at Valley of Fires, Carrizozo, New Mexico.

Solitude

Mid day in White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

'Stick Pin' - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

A single yucca stalk rises from the snow-white, soft, gypsum sand at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

White Sands

A yucca plant sprouts from the gypsum sand as the setting sun casts delicate hues on the landscape.

'Desert Survivors' - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

A vivid pink sunset bathes soft light over a yucca plant and rippling sand dunes at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

Dunes Sunset

Fiery orange sunset over purple-tinted sands at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

Moonset at White Sands

A setting full moon drops below distant mountains as the first light of sunrise glows on White Sands National Monument.

Dawn Curves

Graceful, sweeping curves delineate gypsum dunes against distant, hard rock mountains at sunrise in White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

'Dawn Curves' - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

'Grasses and White Sands' - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Golden grasses poke from pure white sand in south central New Mexico.

'Attitudes' - White Sands National Monument, Utah

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico - a bright yellow plant emerges from pure white, rippling, gypsum sand.

Pueblo Bonito Doorways

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico - small, symmetrical doorways separate the abandoned rooms at Pueblo Bonito. Between AD 900 and 1150, Chaco Canyon was a major center of culture for the Ancient Pueblo Peoples of North America.

Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico USA

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico - small, symmetrical doorways separate the abandoned rooms at Pueblo Bonito. Between AD 900 and 1150, Chaco Canyon was a major center of culture for the Ancient Pueblo Peoples of North America.

Counterparts

A large cottonwood tree, dormant in the winter cold, stands over a modern stucco building at the visitor's center at Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico.

Ornate Wall

A centuries-old wooden post anchors an ancient stone wall excavated in Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico. Native Americans brought multi-colored stones to the building site from miles around.

'Ancient Portals' - Aztec, New Mexico, USA

A series of short, narrow doorways separate the chambers of an ancient building in Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. These rooms were believed to be used for storage by the people who lived here, including the keeping of bodies of deceased relatives, whose skeletons were found when these ruins were excavated in the early 20th century.

Aztec Kiva, New Mexico

A rectangular opening serves as a window to the interior of the Great Kiva at Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. These small chambers were used like modern-day "box seats", allowing occupants a front-row seat to the religious ceremonies used inside the kiva.