Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Rabbit Ridge




















Looking west from Rabbit Ridge, very near the border of Bandelier and Valles Caldera. My guess is that the Las Conchas fire has burned these trees to crispy snags.  It was a beautiful hike up there and, judging from the fire maps, the entire area has burned.

Yes, I know it will regenerate -- but not like this, not in my lifetime. I'm heartbroken.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Milbert's Tortoiseshell




















A Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterfly. Photographed several years ago near the East Fork of the Jemez -- a beautiful area that very likely succumbed to the Las Conchas wildfire on Sunday.

Saturday, June 25, 2011