Experiencing the Desert Part II

Our family took another trip out into the desert this past weekend.

This time, we headed toward Roswell, New Mexico.

We didn't stop in town to "do" the alien experience.

Instead, we headed to the National Parks.

Here's what we experienced:

Vic stopped along the way and spotted a few of these Side Blotched Lizards...

 After our navigator took us to the back side of it, we finally found our way to the true entrance to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

 Where we saw a variety of water fowl, including these American Avocets...

...and this brightly-colored Glossy Ibis.

 Vic spotted this Scaled Quail as we headed out of the preserve. He also snapped this shot.

 Then we traveled to the Bottomless Lakes State Park.

 Where we took this cool picture of our shadows.

 And discovered that with the exception of the swimming lake,

it was more like the "Bottomless Puddles" park.

 Here's a shot of the brave boys and their daddy, who love to climb to new heights.

Poor Hannah had to stay in the truck while we explored.

She broke her foot a few weeks ago and is in a cast.

Next time, she'll be able to explore.

We also experienced our first desert downpour...complete with rainbow!

And the highlight of our day...

We saw the antelope play.

I spotted this among others on our way home that evening.