Four More Free Pictures of Nature
Alpine Aster in Full Bloom
High in the Sandia Mountains, east of Albuquerque, New Mexico this aster was growing in a well watered meadow.
Steep, Dry, Scrub Oak Hillside
This dry, south facing slope is at about 6,500 feet elevation in the Sandia mountains. Since it faces south it gets the maximum effect of the sun, which makes it very dry. Try to imagine what it is like on a clear, sunny day with the sun beating down. It doesn't help that much of the time the relative humidity will be under 10% with a good breeze.
A positive factor is the soil is limestone derived which makes for good soil that hold what water there is very well.
You can also appreciate these are Scrub Oaks (Quercus gambellii). They may be tiny or larger depending on the available water. They have many twisty branches, not the single large trunk of more well watered oak species. They are sometimes cut for firewood, but have no value as lumber. (The small wood problem)
A positive factor is the soil is limestone derived which makes for good soil that hold what water there is very well.
You can also appreciate these are Scrub Oaks (Quercus gambellii). They may be tiny or larger depending on the available water. They have many twisty branches, not the single large trunk of more well watered oak species. They are sometimes cut for firewood, but have no value as lumber. (The small wood problem)
Near the top of Sandia Crest
See the layered limestone exposed by the road cut. Even though you are now 10,000 feet above sea level, you can find fossil sea shells embedded in the limestone. The aspen along the road are doing well because they suddenly got a lot more sunlight when the road was built. Farther back, the spruce and fir have shaded out most of the aspen.
This is what happens over time in these kinds of forests. The aspen come in quickly after a fire and then the shade tolerant evergreens gradually crowd them out.
In theory, a fire would restore this forest. The aspen would be re-invigorated and the cycle would start over. Unfortunately, the fuel load is so high a fire would almost sterilize the soil and the next good rain would wash the soil down hill.
This is what happens over time in these kinds of forests. The aspen come in quickly after a fire and then the shade tolerant evergreens gradually crowd them out.
In theory, a fire would restore this forest. The aspen would be re-invigorated and the cycle would start over. Unfortunately, the fuel load is so high a fire would almost sterilize the soil and the next good rain would wash the soil down hill.
Looking South from Sandia Crest
This view was taken from the observation point at the top of Sandia Crest. You are looking South toward the Monzano Mountains. The Crest Trail runs along the ridge to the left. The La Luz trail comes up through those aspens.
There is an annual race up the La Luz trail. It is 7.5 miles long and the runners go from 6,000 ft. at the bottom to 10,500 feet at the top. The winner usually makes it in just over an hour!
This is the dry side of the mountains. Aspen, Spruce and Fir only grow near the top where there is more moisture.
There is an annual race up the La Luz trail. It is 7.5 miles long and the runners go from 6,000 ft. at the bottom to 10,500 feet at the top. The winner usually makes it in just over an hour!
This is the dry side of the mountains. Aspen, Spruce and Fir only grow near the top where there is more moisture.
