Back in New Mexico

I'm back from the Mother Road! Route 66 through Missouri was great, but the view out my window of the Bosque in autumn is one that can't be beat. The winds are sweeping gold from the Cottonwoods and the Rio Grande is finally going down in height, so we know fall is here. Nights in the river valley are downright frosty, with temperatures dropping below freezing, and the wonderful aroma of pinon smoke is in the air.

The Sandhill Cranes are migrating through our area and just the other day one was roosting in the bare branches of a dead cottonwood. They are such beautiful birds, offering their odd though distinctive silhouette when flying.