Wild Critters

(New Mexico)
I often camp way up in the mountains or out in the desert. When there I expect to see wild creatures. I sometimes do; but, it is rare to sight them while I have my camera in hand. Here are a few photos taken over the years when I was prepared.

These were taken in all parts of the state, and in different environments. Surprisingly, many of these animals were found in not so remote areas. Kind of the opposite of what I would expect.

Unfortunately, the big game I would have liked to have photographed also seem to have been too quick, or surprised me while hiking and I wasn’t able to recover in time to get a picture.

The most exciting ones seen, but missed by the camera, were elk, deer, prong horns, and a mountain lion that ran across the trail in front of me while I was hiking in the Canadian River Canyon.

Mostly, the critters try to void contact. I have to remind myself that I’m the visitor in their home. Whatever the circumstances, I feel privileged to have encountered them in the wild.

I’m really not that good at capturing good shots of live subjects. However, I thought I’d share what I could. Hope you enjoyed them.

Camp: Various
Scene: Animals, birds