What a great day we had in New Mexico. A wonderful warm winter day with highs in the low 60’s, lots of sunshine & that azure blue sky that seems only to exist in New Mexico. We were heading to Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge south of San Antonio, NM. (no they don’t have an Alamo there). We had been savouring a Green chile cheeseburger from Manny’s Buckhorn Tavern. It is rated as the #7 best burger in the U.S.( how could anyone argue that stat & who would want #7 except in baseball!).

Well it is that age old problem when you count on people to give you the big offering, The Buckhorn Tavern was closed for the holidays, major bummer. we settled for a good green chile cheeseburger from “The Owl Bar & Grill” across the street. It was good certainly not a #7 in the rankings, but okay none the less.

After lunch we headed to the refuge. Our Father presented us with many of his glorious creations, but on the last quarter mile of the loop we came upon this Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) perched in the top of a dead cottonwood. I managed several perched exposures when he took to flight displaying his full physique. This guy had thighs like Dick Butkus…..what a jaw dropping sight… and to think we have all day tomorrow……we be looking for a Bald Eagle, there are 5 of them nesting here, now to just see one. But I know that God will have a show for us with or without the eagle…he never let’s us down….Happy New Year…Soar like a hawk on your journey†††Nada Te Turbe†††jim