Eagle Nest, New Mexico is a small village tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico. It is located along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.
This past weekend, we visited and stayed and a lakeside RV campground which was just a short walk to the shores of Eagle Nest Lake.
We hiked Lower Eagle Nest Lake Trail. This trail is an easy 5.5 mile out and back trail that is great for fishing, hiking, and is not very crowded. The elevation here is 8,216ft.
On the way to the back gate entrance to the lake, there was a field of wildflowers.
This was a huge cluster of paintbrush! The biggest I've seen.
Also huge- this thistle next to the lake.
A killdeer. I only had my phone, so here is a horrible picture. There was a lot of low-lying, spiky vegetation around the lake. Perfect place for a killdeer.
A cute bee.
Hoary Verbena and Paintbrush.
First page of my sketchbook filled with painting of the lake. I'm not a plein air painter, but would like to fill up this sketchbook with watercolor sketches of New Mexico. I was not really all that prepared to paint this. I put my sketchbook and paint/water etc. on a chair facing the chair I was sitting on. Not the best setup! It was so nice to listen to the birds, the air was cool and crisp, and the lake is so beautiful. However, it's difficult to paint while also entertaining a 6-year-old!