Here’s our most heavily used take-out on the Racecourse white water run of the Rio Grande river – the County Line – under a fresh blanket of snow. This was the first big snowstorm of the season.
The County Line take-out, in winter
There are a number of bird species that winter on the Rio Grande – most notably the bald eagle. Also, one always sees Goldeneye ducks, Mallards and Canada Geese. It’s now early December, the weather is still mild, and all the afore-mentioned species have arrived. Welcome back!
The bald eagle, in his (or her) favorite dead juniper, just across the river from the big Ponderosa pine.
Female Goldeneye ducks
Male Goldeneye ducks
Mallard pair at After Five, on the Racecourse
The fascination of the young at heart and the Rio Grande River go hand in hand.
Here on the Rio Grande river, we’re now closing in on the end of our season. Not because there’s no water. No! Rather because, now that kids are back in school in Texas, our bookings are much reduced, and there really is no good reason to stay open. So, we’ll close a week from Sunday. That will be our last day, Sunday the 29th. We’ll probably open next year around May 1. Stay tuned.
Here’s some of the action on the river lately, photo by our Operations Manager and Official Photographer Britt Huggins (aka Britt Runyon). Racecourse white water section of the Rio Grande river, near Taos, New Mexico
Yes, it rains in New Mexico - at least during our monsoon season. Photo by Britt Runyon
Photo by Britt Runyon.
Turtle seen along the lower Racecourse
Photo by Britt Runyon (aka Britt Huggins, Official Photographer, New Wave Rafting Co.)
This is the time of year that we encounter many water creatures, including geese, frogs and turtles. People love wildlife!
The flowering we most look forward to in this high-desert neck of the woods is the cholla cactus, with its red-violet flowers. Close to riverside is the aptly-named Showy Milkweed. It is showy and has a subtle, but fabulous, smell.
Looking down at the Racecourse section of the Rio Grande river, with a cholla cactus in full bloom
A large group of showy milkweed, along the Orilla Verde section of the Rio Grande river
Q: Why is milkweed called that?
A: If you break a stem, a milky-white fluid is exuded.
With Neil and Mike as their guides, the Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club hit the rapids of our half day trip, the Rio Grande River Racecourse. The Club has come back for several years now, knowing a fun time will be had by all. Just click on the link seen directly below.
