I expressed my worries about declining horny toad numbers in an earlier blog — remembering how plentiful they were when I was growing up in Ruidoso and how much everyone enjoyed finding one.
Well, I got some good news this week from my sister Wendy, who lives in Cochiti Lake between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It’s a pretty rural area, and as such, apparently has not been too impactful on the horny toad population.
Below is a baby she spotted in her yard last fall, and below that is another tiny one found by her late husband’s son near her home.
Hopefully these two critters are still doing well, eating lots of red ants and maybe, if they were the right gender, hooked up and had more cute babies.
______________
On another topic, my good friend and fellow writer Mary from Albuquerque came up with another “official state” suggestion for the New Mexico Legislature to consider. Keeping in mind the explosion of cannabis stores in the state, she suggested this:
“Official state of NM: HIGH”
_____________
On another positive note, I just finished helping set up an aquarium at G.W. Stout Elementary School in Silver City for another of Trout Unlimited’s “Trout in the Classroom” programs. This one, hosted by teacher Keith Rogers with the assistance of TU Staffer Eric Head, will feature Gila trout, which are native to southwestern New Mexico. We are not sure when we will get the eggs for this project, but the equipment is ready to go. Plans are to release the fish in nearby Lake Roberts sometime late spring or early summer. I’ll keep you posted.
The “TIC” project at White Mountain Elementary in Ruidoso is still moving along, with three juvenile trout swimming around in the classroom of teacher Rachel Lutterman. The fish have been named “Big Momma,” “Baby Shark” and “The One over There.” “Big Momma apparently is the alpha of the group, chasing “Baby Shark” to hide behind some of the equipment while “The One Over There” occasionally but unsuccessfully tries to challenge the alpha fish.
aero-cordero.com 