Carlsbad: Nature & Culture

Monday, February 9, 2015

We began our day with a trail that is walking distance from our campsite.

                   
                              I heard birds in the distance and wanted to get "as close as possible".
The National Audubon Society considers the Brantley Lake "reservoir important for wintering waterfowl and gulls as well as migrating American White Pelicans, waterfowl, and shorebirds. This reservoir, located on the Pecos River, is the largest in southeast New Mexico and the southernmost lake in New Mexico." Through my binoculars, I viewed several varieties of birds, including pelicans.

                                    This is my return walk from "as close as possible".

A hike along Ocotillo Nature Trail:

Then ...

                                             Walt Gonske: Taos Mountain from Los Cordovas 2000

The Carlsbad Art Center has a diverse collection of paintings from artists whose paintings were inspired by Taos, New Mexico: 
*Joseph Henry Sharp considered the "Spiritual Father" of the Taos Society of Artists
*LaVerne Nelson Black: Jicarilla Indian Trading Post 
*Gary Niblett: Taos Gold 
*Nan Sheets: Rio Grande Gorge at Taos 
*Frederic Mizen: Taos Pueblo 
*W. H. Buck: Winter Moonlight--My Home In Taos 
*O. E. Berninghaus: Winter in Taos 

The following photo about Ansel Adams was taken at the visitor's center of  Carlsbad Caverns National Park.