Posts From The Road: Wimberley, Texas
Natural Beauty: Cypress Creek runs through the center of Wimberley, Texas. The tall cypress trees line the shores and late afternoon light shining through the foliage reveal the beauty of the area. The creek is just steps from the Wimberley downtown square, which is the center of town. Restaurants along Cypress Creek have outdoor dining which faces the creek and scenic surroundings. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Downtown Square: Shops on on side of the downtown square in Wimberley, Texas, shine as the afternoon sunlight skims across the store fronts. The beginning of the Christmas Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunset Burning Bright Over Velarde
Daily Postcard: The sunset burning bright Tuesday over Velarde. As the Indian poet Ramesh T A says, ‘Beauty is nature’s gift to anyone living in this world…’. Photo by Johnnie MartinezVideo: Rare Sighting Of 2 Wren Species In Water Canyon
A Pacific Wren spotted Friday, Nov. 29 in Water Canyon. Photo by Jonathan Dowell – Follow all his photography on Instagram @SnowyEgretPhotography.
A Winter Wren spotted Friday, Nov. 29 in Water Canyon. Photo by Jonathan Dowell – Follow all his photography on Instagram @SnowyEgretPhotography.
COMMUNITY News:
Forsooth, the guidebooks say the Pacific Wren and these two Wren’s ranges seldom overlap. But one such rare location is in Water Canyon right here in Los Alamos. And if I left out this detail, both species were together in Water Canyon out by the Back Gate Friday, Nov. 29. They Read More
Bandelier Winter Solstice Walks Return Dec. 20-22
Shadows from two people with a rising sun behind them align perfectly with the opening of the walkway on winter solstice in 2022. Courtesy/NPS
BANDELIER News:
Bandelier National Monument is announcing the return of its popular Winter Solstice Walks Dec. 20-22, 2024. The ranger-led program will start at 7 a.m. on all three days at the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center.
The early-morning program will take participants to the entrance of Tyuonui Pueblo in Frijoles Canyon. It is a short walk from the park’s visitor center. The sun will rise in alignment with the entrance of Tyuonyi Pueblo Read More
Pajarito Mountain All Groomed And Ready For Skiers!
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is all groomed early this morning and ready for skiers when the slopes opens at 9 a.m. today. Pajarito is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 15, then scheduled to be open every day Dec. 20 through Jan. 5, 2025. Learn more at https://www.pajarito.ski/. Screenshot/PMSA Read More
Abiquiu Lake To Host Midwinter Eagle Count Jan. 11, 2025
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers News:
ABIQUIU – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Abiquiu Lake will host their annual midwinter eagle survey, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.
No pre-registration is required, and all are welcome to participate.
The event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Abiquiu Lake Visitor Center for registration beginning at 9 a.m. Hot coffee and snacks will be provided during registration.
A presentation about eagles and other potential bird sightings will begin at 9:30 a.m. The count will start at 10 a.m. and run until noon.
“We already Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory Gets Perfect Score On Hazardous Waste Management From NMED
Proper labels on the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) waste containers are essential for safe storage, transportation and handling once they reach off-site disposal facilities. The state environment department found LANL’s labeling of hazardous waste to be 100% compliant. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- New Mexico Environment Department’s evaluation results in zero violations
Proper labels on the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) waste containers are essential for safe storage, transportation and handling once they reach off-site disposal facilities. The state environment Read More
New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Regulator’s Energy Planning Requirements For Electric Utilities
New Mexico Supreme Court News:
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today upheld the validity of a regulatory rule expanding the plans that electric utilities must prepare for meeting the current and future energy needs of their customers.
In a unanimous decision, the Court rejected a challenge by three utilities – El Paso Electric Company, the Public Service Co. of New Mexico and Southwestern Public Service Company – to rules that revised requirements for Integrated Resource Plans (IRP), which must be submitted to the state Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The amended regulations were Read More
Daily Postcard: Sandhill Cranes Circling Over White Rock
Daily Postcard: Sandhill Cranes circling overhead Wednesday in White Rock. Sandhill Cranes mate for life—which can mean two decades or more. Sandhill Crane chicks can leave the nest within 8 hours of hatching, and are even capable of swimming. The earliest Sandhill Crane fossil, estimated to be 2.5 million years old, was unearthed in the Macasphalt Shell Pit in Florida. The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least 37 years, 3 months old. Originally banded in Florida in 1982, it was found in Wisconsin in 2019. Source: allaboutbirds.org. Photo by Robert Reedy
Read More
Santa Fe County/Bureau Of Reclamation To Hold Open Houses On Phase I – Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System Dec 16-18
SANTA FE COUNTY News:
SANTA FE – The Bureau of Reclamation and Santa Fe County will host two open house events this winter to share updates and progress on the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System, with a particular emphasis on Phase 1.
These events will provide the community with detailed information about the project. The Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System will divert, treat and distribute potable water to the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Nambé, San Ildefonso and Tesuque, as well as Santa Fe County customers.
Phase 1 of the project, under construction, includes:
- An intake facility at the intersection
New Documents On Delegation Of Authorized Reps Added To LANL Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, this email is to notify the public that the following documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
Delegation of Authorized Representatives for the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits, including the Individual Permit, Construction Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunset Viewed Looking Toward The Jemez
Daily Postcard: Sunset viewed Tuesday looking from Los Alamos toward the Jemez. Photo by Lauren Hughes Read More
Winter Seed Sowing Event At Unitarian Church Dec. 14
State Environment Enforcement Watch Alert: 164 Actions Initiated; 59 Resolved In November 2024
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) today released Enforcement Watch updates for the month of November 2024. The Enforcement Watch is a listing of all active and resolved enforcement cases.
Active cases involve an alleged violation of a regulation, rule, permit, license, etc. Resolved cases are those that were adjudicated in court of law or administratively resolved. The Enforcement Watch also provides tools for the public to report alleged environmental or workplace safety violations.
“Improper disposal of solid waste is a significant problem that impacts Read More
Christmas Lights Brighten Trees In Beautiful Española Valley
Christmas lights placed by Rick Martinez illuminate the pine trees growing on his farm in the beautiful Española Valley. Photo by Liddie Martinez Read More
Daisy Scouts: Earn Animal Observer Badge At Los Alamos Nature Center Event Sunday Dec. 15
Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
Calling all Daisy Scouts! Join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) on Sunday, Dec. 15, for a fun-filled, educational adventure designed specifically for Daisy Girl Scouts (grades K-1).
This interactive, hands-on event will guide scouts through the exciting process of earning their Animal Observer badge by participating in a series of engaging activities, games and learning exercises focused on wildlife observation. Stay tuned for more exciting Scout programming coming soon.
Scouts will have the unique opportunity to meet and greet a real animal Read More
Hear Outdoor Adventure Stories At Mountaineers Potpourri
At the Mountaineers holiday Potpourri, Olivia Li will talk about the badlands of northwestern New Mexico. The badlands feature unworldly rock formations such as the ‘King of Wings’ shown here. Courtesy/LAM
By BILL PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos Mountaineers
The Los Alamos Mountaineers will host its annual Potpourri at Fuller Lodge, with doors opening at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11. The Potpourri is one part potluck and six parts 10-minute talks, simmered in conversation and camaraderie. It is a strictly in-person event, with no hybrid adjunct.
While the Potpourri is a members only event, anyone Read More
Launch Pad Lecture: ‘0 To 632 X 10 In 5 Seconds’ Dec. 6
New Mexico Space History Museum News:
Commemorate the 70th anniversary of Dr. John Stapp’s record-setting rocket sled ride on Dec. 10, 1954 at Holloman Air Force Base.
Dr. Stapp, known as “The Fastest Man on Earth”, achieved a land speed record of 632 mph in just five seconds, subjecting himself to forces up to 46.2 Gs.
This Launch Pad Lecture, “0 to 632 x 10 in 5 Seconds”, is 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 on the second floor of the Main Museum at the New Mexico Space History Museum, 3198 State Road 2001 in Alamogordo.
For information, visit www.nmspacemuseum.org or call 575.437.2840. Read More
Amateur Naturalist: Transitions With Arrival Of Winter Weather Front
By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos
Both plants and birds pass through transitions when the first cold fronts of winter are arriving. The change of leaf color is the most visible change for plants. This change does not move in lock step with all plants changing their leaf color at the same time. Some trees shed all their leaves by late October while other still have green leaves in mid November. This difference for autumn leaves is particularly visible when the first snow fall arrives. The expectation is to see bare branches. It then is somewhat startling to see branches with green leaves also covered with Read More
Daily Postcard: Sunset Over Mountains Viewed From NM 4
Daily Postcard: The sunset above mountains viewed Monday from N.M. 4. Photo by Lauren Hughes Read More
