We started our travel this morning with a trip to the Las Vegas New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge. We found it to be a beautiful and strikingly different environment than what we are used to on the East Coast.
As we walked out to an observation platform, a blue heron flew by. These are one of my favorite birds.
This is a shot from the viewing platform, looking out across the refuge. We decided to drive around.
As we walked back to the car, there were wildflowers growing along the path.
The moths and butterflies were plentiful this morning! Art got this absolutely gorgeous shot of a moth on a purple flower!
As we drove around the refuge, we got a few shots of some birds.
Note the barbed wire! ( See our blog from Day 13!)
After we finished the drive through the Wildlife Refuge, we visited the Pecos National Historical Park. Another opportunity to be in nature and with wildlife.
The landscape was a bit different, and actually had some cactus growing.
We ate lunch at a picnic area, and even had a humming bird fly by while we were eating.
After lunch, we headed for Santa Fe. We felt the stark contrast between the solitude of our morning, kept company by wild and nature, and the crowds and busy-ness of Sante Fe.
As we settled into our room for a needed rest, we took refuge in our photos and reminised over the wild things we saw today.
We are changed by being in the wild. Our perspective shifts, and we tune in to the preciousness of the wild things around us. We love the wild life.
If you can reach out and touch and love and be with wildlife, you will forever be changed, and you will want to make the world a better place.
Terri Irwin
Shorewoods Photography 
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