Las Cruces, NM -- Arvella & Don

It was so much fun photographing Arvella and Don in their own back yard! We never have to go far to capture some great shots of your family.










Looking over the Mesilla Valley, Las Cruces

Wonderful Hands

Hands of retired pecan farmer

More Basque del Apache Wildlife Refuge

I hope you don't mind humoring me a little more! There was just way too much beauty to partake of at the Wildlife Refuge to not share. Enjoy!




Sandhill Crane


Oops! I got too close!




SO many ducks! Northern Pintail


This duck is walking on thin ice!


Northern Pintails


Red-Tail Hawk in Flight








The sheer numbers of Snow Geese was overwhelming!


Snow Geese




Cranes behind reeds


Paintbrush Through Sky





I may, or may not, share more...

Fowl Paparazzi

This morning I got up VERY early to go check out the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I discovered when I got there that I should have gotten up even earlier! I stopped at the Visitor's Center to pick up a map and when I came out to the car all these MAJOR "birders" with all their photography equipment were RUNNING with their cameras, BIG lenses, and tripods. I asked a straggler where they were going and he said, pointing up in a tree (with reverence in his voice, I might add) "A Merlin!" In my ignorance, I thought it looked like a normal hawk, but tonight I came home and discovered that a Merlin is a type of falcon. So now I know.

Anyway, about my fellow birders....let's just say -- I had no idea.... I'm being so educated. Now, on to my incredible morning among the wildlife -- it made my heart soar!




This is Merlin


There is a thin layer of ice on the water and there was definitely ice in the air!


Sandhill Crane in Flight




Harris' Hawk


Harris' Hawk landing


More Paparazzi


Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese


Snow Geese




Bottoms-Up! Haha! These ducks made me laugh. It was obviously feeding time.

Hangin' Around in New Mexico

How can you not LOVE this red door?


Twilight Hour


Such great colors!


The Lookout

A Few More of the Flurry of Five!

Ring Around the Rosy!


As soon as the children lay down and looked up into the trees they became very thoughtful and pensive.

Felicia, Dave, and Kayden Family Portraits

I promised more, and now I'm delivering. I just loved this family! Enjoy.