Friday, April 16, 2010

Spring on the Perimeter Trail

I've been hiking early each morning for the past several weeks.  Very unlike me as I would prefer to revel in my slumber. However, the arrival of a puppy has required that I stumble out of bed and out the door at the crack of dawn, and I've actually discovered that I'm enjoying it.

Not only have I had the opportunity to see the snow melt, see the first Turkey Vultures arrive back in Los Alamos, witness some astonishingly beautiful sunrises, experienced that there actually is joy in a windblown hike through pelting graupel, and discover that there really are a lot of early birds in my neighborhood...I've also realized what I've been missing on my local trails for so many years. (Like this red-tailed hawk, for instance)

I've become inspired to do a 10-year post Cerro Grande post as well, so stay tuned for that.  I'm just sorry that I haven't been taking photos each and every year of how things have evolved.

Most recently, though, I've been overjoyed to see some of my favorite spring herbs poking their beautiful little faces out of the earth.
Pulsatilla

Valerian