Talk about scenic open space! This expanse is photographed from a conserved property near Santa Rosa, NM. "I was struck, too, by the red rocks, in contrast with the green from a recent rain," said NMLC summer intern, Stephen Fowler. 

No, this scene is not from the Sound of Music -- it's the beautiful Zaplin property located in the Maestas Canyon along the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Range in northern New Mexico. The photo color is true.  "It was a gorgeous day!" said Stephen.

The Zaplin conservation easement protects 103 acres of forested land and riparian habitat along Maestas Creek, which supports a host of wildlife species including elk, mule deer, turkey, black bear, mountain lion and bobcat; it also contains a healthy cutthroat trout fishery. The property is bounded by Santa Fe National Forest land on two sides and the Pecos Wilderness Area on a third side.

Conservation easements  help protect habitat and migratory corridors for wildlife such as these elk. "I saw the babies first, behind the juniper trees," Stephen said. "They were cautious, but didn't 'spook' until the mother showed up. Then they all ran away."

Protecting habitat for wildlife great and small. A chipmunk munches on a flower near the creek. "This one I really DID have to sneak up on!" Stephen said, describing how he crawled on his hands and knees through the grass to capture the photo.

Located about 3 miles south of Chama, NM, in north central New Mexico, this easement is part of a larger property and includes a stretch of Canones Creek and two large ponds, an acre each in size.

Western Bluebird, seen on the Deer Canyon Preserve conservation easement in Torrance County, east of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. "I was driving along the fence line, "Stephen said, "and he would hop from one fence post to the next, following me."

The ribbon of green tells the story. Conservation easements help protect New Mexico's precious water resources and riparian zones, such as those along the Berrenda and Jaralosa creeks in the arid Lake Valley landscape, located in the foothills of the Mimbres and Black Ranges, approximately 15 miles southwest of Hillsboro, NM. "It wasn't until I walked out to the edge of the cliff that I saw the green," Stephen said. "From the road, you wouldn't even know it's there."

The San Pedro Creek Nature Area is a 566-acre property located in Sandoval County. The conservation easement held by NMLC protects about two miles of stream that features waterfalls, wetlands and cottonwood groves; and includes cultural sites like petroglyphs, an old railroad bed, and an impressive 19th century ore smelter.

Black-tailed jack rabbit, posing for a portrait. "He was there when I got out of the truck to open the property gate, and he just stayed there until I took his photo. He didn't run off until I started driving again," Stephen said.

Stephen said he couldn't resist taking this photo when he spotted the tiny ant bridging the gap between petals on the left side of this cactus flower.

The El Morro Valley is nestled against the foothills of the Zuni Mountains in central New Mexico. The valley has a long history of human occupancy, stretching from the Anasazi period to Spanish conquest to homesteaders during the 19th and 20th centuries. The rock formations and colorful striations are irresistible to many photographers and to NMLC interns when they monitor the conservation easement NMLC holds on the property there.

Purple mountain majesty. One of many scenic vantage points from Shortes XX Ranch in Catron County near Pie Town, NM. Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your first-time view of New Mexico!

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