The Las Cruces Report: Mid-March

A little cabinet by Mr. Bean, just waiting for a collection

We are starting to have some really beautiful weather here in the high desert. Cool nights, as always, morphing into lovely warm, sunshine-filled days. Wearing layers of clothing is a must. We might start out the morning on a bird walk or at the public market wearing a couple of shirts plus jackets, then we peel away the layers as we reach the warm afternoons.

I'm setting up a backpack that will always be ready to grab on the way out the door. In addition to the camera, phone, binoculars, and maybe the Flip camcorder, now I have to remember extra water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a foldable wide-brim hat. Got to be ready for all that New Mexico sunshine!

The trees are leafing out, daffodils are in bloom everywhere, and the fruit trees are in bloom. The raptors are arriving down at the bosque. The farmers all around us have started field and orchard irrigation, and the Rio Grande is full from bank to bank--looking like a river at last.

In other seasonal news, up at Dripping Springs the "animal sighting" board lists the first spotting of a diamondback rattlesnake, stretched out on a trail and soaking up the sunshine. We were up there at the Visitor's Center on Saturday afternoon, admiring the views of the city and mountains, and watching some search and rescue workers practice rock climbing rescues. I'm pleased to report that we didn't spot any snakes ourselves.

The Farmers Market is in full swing now on Saturday mornings. This past Saturday the place was full of hundreds and hundreds of people, many with their dogs. There were jesters and jugglers and mariachi bands and solo singers scattered everywhere. In addition to the crafts, jams, and jellies featured there all winter, we are now also seeing lots of bedding plants, herbs, fresh produce, and many kinds of honey. We bought some Desert Mesquite and some Red Chile honey (hot!), hoping that eating local honey will help with the allergies that are in full swing at our house just now. I got a lovely nasturtium plant for the patio, Beez bought (another!) hand-tooled leather belt, and we finally got the perfect little cabinet from Mr. Bean.

I'll have some more photos from the market in the days ahead.