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Bald Eagle

Britt Runyon — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:24:11 +0000

Along the Orilla Verde Recreation Section of the Rio Grande River, I have had many opportunities to photograph the wintering Bald Eagles. These images are of two such eagles. One is a mature eagle of at least 4 years of age. The other is a 2 year old, it shows the distinct markings of what is called White Belly II phase.

(click on the image to enlarge)

A popular perch.

The mature seems to want the perch to himself.

Their aerial acrobatics are amazing.

The chase continues.

They went their separate ways soon after this moment.

Summer’s Youth

Britt Runyon — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:34:50 +0000

The fascination of the young at heart and the Rio Grande River go hand in hand.

Desert Bighorn of the Taos Box

Britt Runyon — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:15:28 +0000

The Desert Bighorn just continue to pose for me in the Taos Box and I can not resist capturing the image.

One of the alpha males.

High Bridge Rapid Video, Taos Box, Rio Grande River

Britt Runyon — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:53:42 +0000

Here’s a very short video of the High Bridge Rapid in the Taos Box section of the Rio Grande River which lies 650 feet below the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Watch closely and you can see as we pass through it’s shadow. Just click on the link and please leave a comment.

High Bridge Rapid

Critters of the Taos Box, Rio Grande River, May 2010

Britt Runyon — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:45:16 +0000

A New Wave rafting trip down the Taos Box not only bring lots of white water thrills but moments of superb wildlife viewing. It’s safe to say that we see Bighorn Sheep on every trip, which is an absolute treat and sometimes it’s the other wildlife that puts the icing on the cake.

Oh, ok, just one more sheep photo. It's just that the babies are so cute. This is Cloe (note the tracking collar she wears) with this years offspring.

Western Tanagers migrate through each spring and bring a "splash" of color to the Rio Grande River.

Canada Geese nest along the banks. This proud mother was seen in the Playground section, an area suitable for the chicks.

During a break below Power Line Rapid we had a brief encounter with a friendly Bull Snake.

This Black-crowned night heron was seen fishing, just above the confluence of the Rio Grande and Taos Creek.

Click on the above images to enlarge and please document your visit by leaving a comment. Thanks.

The Lunch Lizard of the Taos Box

Britt Runyon — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:58:48 +0000

We see this guy about everyday at our lunch spot just below Ouzel Rapid on the Taos Box section of the Rio Grande River. On this particular occasion it scurried out from the rocks and nabbed a tasty caterpillar from under the lunch table within inches of my feet. I think he/she’s pretty cute.

A watchful eye.

Lunching with us, but there was no wooly caterpillar on our menu.

A full Belly

Click on the above images to enlarge, please leave a comment.

Boulders of the Box, Rio Grande River, New Mexico

Britt Runyon — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:06:26 +0000

“Nothing in this world is as soft and yielding as water, Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it“, Tao Ching.

Hot Fudge Boulder.

There’s just not much more to say. The Rio Grande River has worked it’s magic on many of the boulders along it’s course through the Taos Box. The actual process is called “fluting” by geologist. Here are but a few I’ve photographed along the way.

Parfait Boulder

The Pile Boulders.

Half Dome Boulder

Dimple Boulder

Iceberg Boulder

Click on the above images to enlarge and feel free to leave a comment.

Bighorn Sheep of the Rio Grande River, Taos Box, May 23, 2010

Britt Runyon — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:51:29 +0000

New Wave Rafting’s full day Taos Box trip consists not only of lots of whitewater action. If one is vigilant, there is also abundant wildlife that can be observed. We really felt blessed on this particular day. Not only did we have warm sunshine to take the chill out after getting soaked in Class 4 rapids, but we had some superb wildlife sightings as well.

First spotted was a baby Bighorn who seemed more curious about us than it's mother did.

This two year old munches on the sedge that grows along the river.

With their thick winter coats shed, they're looking quite sleek.

This older ewe gave birth two days after this photo was taken.

At this time of the year the rams hang out together in what is termed a "bachelor group"

This is Butch. He appears to be the alpha ram. He looks pretty tough to me!

Don’t forget. You can click on any image to enlarge and please feel free to leave a comment.

Rio Grande Gorge, Petaca Trail, January 31, 2010

Britt Runyon — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:36:29 +0000

Trailhead sign. Be sure and register.

One can drive across the Taos Junction Bridge and up a rather steep dirt road with several switchbacks to reach the West Rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. There’s a pull-out immediately on the left upon reaching the top. If it has rained or snowed recently, as was the situation today, expect mud, not only where you park but along the hiking trail as well. From this point to Petaca Canyon is 4 miles which was our goal, but the snow mixed with warm temperatures made the going slow and soggy, plus the need to slow down and enjoy the views added time to the hike. We didn’t make it to Petaca. This is the section of river we offer to our guests as the “New Wave No Wave”.

Looking back upstream, Taos Junction Bridge can be seen mid-photo(if you look really close).

A quick count of 50 in this elk herd.

Elk scat, known as "smart pills" to some folks.

Mike B., one of New Wave's veteran river guides.

Petroglyphs.

Coming across fresh bear tracks and scat makes one pay attention!

Joining the Rio Grande at Taos Junction Gaging Station, we view Staurolite Canyon.

Downstream view (into the sun) of the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

The road from Pilar to the Taos Junction Bridge. Again, into the sun.

Coyote track.

On the West Rim Mesa, native grass and Juniper trees.

Photographs by Britt. More @ http://flickr.com/photos/jorunny/

The Bosque del Apache

Britt Runyon — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:04:21 +0000

One of the favorite seasons around here for locals and visitors alike is most definitely Autumn. The molding of the Summer season into Winter brings dramatic changes through out the state and this is especially true at the Bosque del Apache. Eighteen miles south of Socorro lies 52,000 acres of wet lands, a Rio Grande River creation (with a little help from man) which attracts a myriad of birds, waterfoul, raptors and all variations of migrating feathered friends. The following series of photos were taken early November 2009, one evening and the next morning.

Fall color, looking west toward the San Mateo Mountains.

The golden leaves of Autumn and a Redwing Blackbird.

One of the hundreds of Mallards feeding at the Flight Deck.

Great Blue Heron.

After feeding during the day the Sandhill Cranes fly in to spend the evening with some of their buddies.

Sandhill Cranes.

? thousand Snow Geese take flight, sunrise.

Snow Geese at sunrise.

Sandhill Crane, Pintail ducks and Snow Geese.

A mule deer feeds with his feathered friends.

Snow Geese taking flight.

"Hey Watch It!", "Move Over", "Gemme Some Room".

Snow Geese pair.

For more sights of Bosque del Apache go to “www.flickr.com/photos/jorunny/”.