I went to Capulin Volcano National Monument this weekend. It was amazing. It is a perfect cinder cone volcano. That is rare, but what is really rare is that is has plant life all over it. The park forms a unique ecotone which provides habitat for 73 species of birds and numerous other animals. This is due to the volcano, Rocky Mountain forests, and grasslands of the surrounding high plains. Mule deer abound even on the slopes of the volcano, and elk, black bears, coyotes, and mountain lions appear from time to time.
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| This is a postcard because I couldn't get a good shot from a distance as it was hazy during my visit. |
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| The road travels to the indentation, and then a steep hike ascends to the top of the volcano and all the way around and back down. Even for a hiker, like myself, it was tough. I was on my tip toes half of the way. |
Unfortunately, the road that allows so many to see Capulin causes serious erosion.
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| A porcupine damaged this tree near the top of Capulin. |
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| Lichen grow all over the rocks. |
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| We caught these female pronghorns in a field near the volcano. The male ran off too fast to catch with the camera. |
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| This is the center of the volcano |
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| There are over 100 volcanoes in the field that covers northeastern New Mexico and Southeastern Colorado. |
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