Walking a loop of lava at Valley of Fires
On the drive to Alamogordo, New Mexico, a stop at the Valley of Fires is always a must for me, even if just for a few minutes. Any chance to behold lava as far as the eye can see is special. On this particular visit, for the first time, I walked the entire paved loop into the main lava field. What I saw from that view that I could not from high above, are all the fissures in the lava surface that conceal small lava caves below. Fascinating in another regard is how plants of all kinds grow in each crack, groove, and rupture in the lava surface. What an amazing place. Check out the map below to plan your trip to the Valley of Fires.
Read MoreThe struggle of flora in the Valley of Fires
This was a return to Valley of Fires walking through a different area than three years ago (check out those photos and drone video). This time I observed how the flora of the desert struggled even more to live around and actually on the vast lava field. To highlight this struggle I converted the images to black and white for impact. On the side of a long empty, desert road, I think Valley of Fires definitely qualifies as a hidden gem of New Mexico. It offers exploring for all levels from just observing from afar and up top the vast expanse of this lava field, to walking as far as you want right through the jagged lava formations. If you really like Valley of Fires, you can even camp there. Check out the map below to visit this hidden gem of miles of lava in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico.
Read MoreA whiptail lizard friend among lava
I met this new friend in the Valley of Fires. It was hanging out on a metal grill by a picnic table (see photo below). I only now learned it is a New Mexico whiptail lizard. Let's just say the lizard was female for convenience sake. She was on the aforementioned metal grill first, which is not the best backdrop to photograph a wild creature on. I got a few quick shots though because I wanted to fly my drone over the lava fields. When I was done flying, the lizard had moved onto to some twigs -- a much better background! I was using my new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Macro lens for the latter shots, which can focus less than a foot away from a subject. I just kept getting closer and closer to the lizard, and she did not move at all! Thank you friendly whiptail for hanging out and letting me make your portrait!
Read MoreA few months ago I went to Dona Ana County, New Mexico for the first time for a rural land photography shoot and drone video flight. I visited White Sands on the way back, and after that the desert highway took me through a wild landscape of lava. There was no time to stop then, but on my return to the area for another photo and drone shoot in Cloudcroft, I made sure I had time to stop and fly my DJI Mavic Pro drone over the Valley of Fires!
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