The Right Tool for the Job

Having the right tool available to accomplish a task is fundamentally important to getting the job done right.  Frequently while working on a project at the Painted Pony Resort the right tool turns out to be either back in the garage or a tool not on the estate.  In the case of the former, this means a drive back to the garage to locate the right tool.  But in the case of the latter, it means either creating the required tool or spending a day (or week) trying to locate one.  For the indigenous former inhabitants this always meant creating a tool ones self and when the technology is based on rock, fire, clay, and plant material it means creating a specialty tool from what is available on the landscape.

Below is a photograph of a modified oval mano that has secondary modifications for specialty use.  The oval mano measures about 3.25" in width x 2.75" in length x 1.5" thick, is pecked around the edges and is smooth on both faces from use.  By examining the interface between pecking around the outside of the mano and the flat smooth grinding surfaces, 2 different periods of pecking are distinguishable.  At each end of the mano the flat smooth grinding surface grades off smoothly from the surface area into the pecked edge.  This is consistent with pecking the edge first to shape the tool then subsequent use as a grinding stone.  In contrast, the pecked indentations on each side of the mano impinge upon the smooth grinding surface suggesting the notches were created after the tool was completed and used for grinding for a period of time.  The purpose of the notches may be for hafting or fine control in grinding small amounts of material.  If the mano were modified, adding notches for hafting for use as a hammer, chipping from use would be expected on each end.  Instead of damage resulting from use as a hammer, one end shows smoothing as if used as a grinder for small amounts of material.  This observation leads to the suggestion that this modified mano was used as a pigment grinder in the production of small amounts of pigment for pottery.  The modified mano fits nicely in one hand and can be easily manipulated with a rocking motion, such as that required to break up small amounts of natural stone pigment.  This was tested with a small amount of turquoise procured locally and indeed it is a simple matter, using a rocking motion, to grind the turquoise into a fine powder suitable for painting on pottery using the modified mano.

Just another example how those who lived on this landscape in the past created and built a life for themselves.

Face of modified mano

Edge of modified mano

Experiment - grinding turquoise with modified mano

Addendum:  For additional information on multiple uses of stone tools see this link.

Monsoon Clouds

With over 300 days/yr of sunny skies in New Mexico, clouds are a big deal.  Clouds signal the monsoon and are hopeful signs of the summer rains so important to renewing the landscape and providing water to the aquifer on which residents depend.  On an active monsoon day clouds begin forming early, frequently just after sunrise, they build and scattered rains can be seen around the valley.  These clouds dissipate and sunny skies return.  Later in the afternoon the process begins again.  Clouds begin to build, frequently over Portal Peak, and a second round of showers begin which last till after dark.  These moisture laden cumulus clouds are illuminated by the setting sun creating stark contrasts of light and shadow which stretch across the valley creating beautiful sunsets.

Monsoon clouds over the San Simon Valley

Garden Panorama

The arrival of the monsoons has certainly helped the front garden.  The butterfly bushes have bloomed as well as a number of other plants and the garden is full of honey bees, butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird all competing for nectar.    The recently planted perennials have taken hold and a transplanted lantana has new growth.  There are 3 species/varieties of lantana in the front garden, a yellow flowering species, a purple, and a multicolored flowering species.  The lantana are very hardy plants and have been cut back to the roots several times and they always recover nicely.  The blooms attract butterflies and many plants constantly bloom throughout the summer.    One of the recently planted perennials, Sacred Datura, is already producing flowers.  Datura wrightii may be found along the road side in Arizona and New Mexico and seemed like a hardy addition to the garden, low growing it will make a nice addition to offset some of the tall yuccas and ocotillo and add a new color to blooms in the garden.

The view east in the front garden

The view west in the front garden

Sacred Datura in the garden

Painted Pony Dove Update

The baby doves found several weeks ago on the patio at the Painted Pony Resort continue to mature.  The recent guests were shown the location of the nest and enjoyed watching the doves during their stay.  Now that the guests have left, the opportunity to check on the progress of the baby doves was available and between loads of laundry it was possible to get an updated photograph.  The babies have matured quickly (see link to original photograph) and will be ready to leave the nest soon.  The flock of doves inhabiting the resort continues to grow and provide entertainment for visitors.

Growing baby doves

A Different Monsoon Pattern

This years monsoon pattern seems different.  Monsoon season moisture comes from the south and west with the storms coming from the same direction, but this year the storms are coming from the north and east.  While this pattern is producing good rainfall it is something different.  A 30 year resident commented on the change in the storm pattern but was also pleased with the results. 

Another lightning display was visible over the Chiricahua mountains the other night and below are some images from the storm.  These partially desaturated images of the storm provide a snapshot of the beautiful night time displays residents of the San Simon Valley and visitors to the Painted Pony Resort can expect during monsoon season.

It's Better Than Fireworks During the Monsoons

Fireworks, though legal in New Mexico, are often banned on the 4th of July because of the danger of inadvertent fires during the pre-monsoon dry conditions.  But mother natures displays are always legal and frequently much more spectacular and interesting.  The local lore holds that the monsoon season begins on the 4th of July and this year was no different.  PPR has received about 1.5" of rain since the 4th and last nights monsoon brought an exceptional lightning display over the Peloncillo mountains bringing 0.42" of rain to the Painted Pony Resort.  Guests were out on the patio watching nature's display and the oohs and aahs were audible across the estate with each new lightening strike.  Although the estate, as well as the surrounding valley lost power for several hours, the lightning display was a worth while event to witness.  Several lightning photos were captured before the rain arrived at PPR and are shown below.  Of course all the really great lightning strikes occurred while the camera was cycling after each photograph, but out of about 75 images 3 caught some of the action.

A looping lightning bolt, coming down but going back up

A double hit in Antelope Pass

A single lightning bolt over the Peloncillo mountains

The Comfy Chair

The Painted Pony Resort has a number of resident bird species, some common some not so common, but the big 3 are the morning and collared doves, the road runners, and the barn swallows.  Of the three, the collared doves pick the strangest places to build nests.  I have found numerous dove nests precariously perched in yuccas and in the oak trees in the patio area but the strangest nest location was found while preparing the estate for guests.  While cleaning the patio a dove nest was discovered on top of an outdoor chair.  At first glance it appeared as some wind blown litter until upon closer examination 2 newly hatched baby doves were noted.  Nestled in a twig nest the 2 baby doves appear only a week or so old.  Carefully cleaning around the nest the babies were left in place to hopefully grow up and become part of the resident dove population who's calls can be heard every morning and evening around the estate.

Dove nest on the patio

The Desert Comes Alive: Tarantula (Aphonopelma sp.) Mating

With the beginning of the monsoon season the desert comes alive, the rains bring moisture and the plants and animals immediately respond.  The most recent wildlife observations were of a female tarantula, Aphonopelma sp., that has had a burrow by the garage, north of the main buildings, for several years, see here and this video.  There were no signs of the female last year and the entrance to her burrow had filled in.  Thinking she had moved to greener pastures I was surprised to find the other day the burrow entrance open with webbing across the top, but still no signs of the female.  This morning all that changed.

Upon heading over to the garage to get the Kabota out in preparation for work I noticed a male tarantula in the drive behind the Kabota.  Surprised at the find I checked the burrow entrance and noticed even more webbing across the entrance.  I went back for the camera and took several photographs of the male and returned to work.  Checking on the trantula 20 minutes later I saw a second male was approaching the burrow from a different direction stopping and tapping the ground with his legs as he approached the burrow, and so it was back for the camera again.  Upon returning the female had emerged from her den and she was battling the new comer while the other male sat quietly behind the Kabota several feet away.  The big brown female chased the new comer male around a concrete block and he took off to the south across the drive abandoning any hopes of mating.  The female then returned to her burrow and entered while the other male still sat quietly by.  After another 20-30 minutes I checked again and the other male had also left the area leaving the female in peace.  Either I missed this years mating or the female just was not in the mood.

Location of 2 male tarantulas and the female's burrow

Male tarantula waiting

Face off between a male (left) and female (right) tarantula

Female tarantula outside her burrow (third season she has been observed)

  Addendum:

Several mornings later another male approached the female's burrow.  She eventually emerged herself and after several less than positive interactions chased the male away and re-entered her burrow.

Female tarantula emerging from her burrow to an awaiting male

4th of July Celebrations in Rodeo, New Mexico's Most Western Town

Another 4th of July in Rodeo and as usual, an event to remember.  With only 3 paved roads in the several hundred square miles of the valley, Highway 80 being the only north/south paved road through the valley, it is only logical that the highway is closed every year in the town of Rodeo for the 4th of July celebrations.  The day started early pulling meat that had been slow cooking the previous night preparing for the community dinner, followed by a morning softball game in the park.  The afternoon brought parade preparations and arriving shortly after 5:00 PM the town was already filling.  Cars were rapidly filling up the open areas along both sides of Highway 80 in town.  At 6:00 PM the parade started with horses carrying the flags followed by the parade's grand marshal.  This was followed by floats of every description created by local inhabitants.  Rodeo Radio AM1590 (on the air once a year on the 4th) carried the parade description while floats made their way slowly along the highway.  The theme for this years parade was “anything goes” and was reflected in the variety of floats from a veterans float to unicorns, see images below.  Following the parade everyone gathered inside the Rodeo community center for dinner.  Slow cooked pulled beef with a savory barbeque sauce with beans and coleslaw was the fare, with additional meat being sold to raise funds for the community.  The traditional cake auction followed and then the evenings dance.  Local residents also took advantage of the break in the dry conditions for a fireworks display in the park.  Being the 4th, the traditional start of the monsoon season, I headed back to the Painted Pony Resort early in anticipation of rain.  The drive home was accompanied by a spectacular lightening displays from storms drifting down from the north and upon arrival it started to rain.   PPR picked up 0.96” throughout the night and the desert was alive with activity the next morning.  All the frogs were out calling for mates to take advantage of the ephemeral pools that form during the monsoon creating the next generation of frogs.  Overall it another great event created by the hardworking residents of the bootheel and southeastern Arizona.

The parade begins

Rodeo's flag bearer

Antelope in the parade

Butterfield stage line

Princess on a unicorn in Rodeo

Community center dinner