It’s pretty much guaranteed that we’ll find a Bighorn Sheep on the shores of the Taos Box section of the RIo Grande River. Here’s a few images from June 11, 2011.
Karen & guests floating quietly by one of the young rams.
A bachelor group of rams.
Having a cool drink of water.
One of this years offspring.
One of the introduced ewes (#5) with her new youngster.
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.
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.
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.
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Mule Deer Doe.
This little beauty is almost a daily sight in the first mile on the right shore of the Taos Box section on the Rio Grande River. She stands perfectly still as we pass thinking we don’t se her. Click on photo to enlarge.
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
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“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
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Just another day at the office for Neil, indisputably one of the best river guides out there.
At our 7th inning stretch, he demonstrates the correct handling of a friendly Bull Snake.
Neil gets a little air at the Wall Rapid.
The final drop in Pinball Rapid is loads of fun.
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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!
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One barely has to get out of the car in order to observe the wildlife along the Rio Grande. I’ll start with the most exciting creature to come to this area in years, the River Otter. Several, I think 9, were introduced to the Rio Grande in the winter of ’08 and we have wondered how and if they were thriving? Now I know for a fact, three are.
Headed for the safety of the water after spotting me.
Entering the water with the 2nd already there.
Eating a tasty carp.
A few more photographs from the day.
A Bull Elk carcass provides a mid-day snack for a couple of coyotes.
Wintering geese in Pilar.
Great Blue Heron.
One of our resident Bald Eagles.
Orilla Verde evening.
Sunset and the Pilar Cliffs.
These photographs and more at “www.flickr.com/photos/jorunny/
