New Mexico Ranch/Observatory/Lodge Expedition 5

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:19:13 -- 1/20 sec, f/2.8.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

It got cold enough that this coke can exploded. Good thing we had emptied the pipes before we left last time, or the same might have happened to them!
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:19:21 -- 1/10 sec, f/2.8.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Gwen and Taun We, in the red super-poodle suit.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:19:44 -- 1/10 sec, f/2.8.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Picture taken looking out the east window of sleet on the ground -- we were hoping for snow, but it was 37 degrees.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:20:30 -- 1/60 sec, f/4.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

A cold dawn rainshower. I really need to use the ISO 100 mode, I think, to get rid of that noise. That will drive my exposure times up, probably.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:20:40 -- 1/180 sec, f/6.7.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:20:50 -- 1/45 sec, f/3.5.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Gwen didn't wake up as early as I did on Saturday morning.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:20:59 -- 1/350 sec, f/9.5.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:21:10 -- 1/125 sec, f/4.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:21:31 -- 1/180 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Here's what the well looks like. The wires coming out lead to the electronics box, shown below. I had them put that little hose adapter on it so that we might be able to more easily use it before the tank and pipes get trenched in.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:21:41 -- 1/250 sec, f/6.7.  No Flash.1512x2268 Large -- Medium

230V, as I ruefully discovered.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:21:53 -- 1/125 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Here's the pump setup, modeled by the poodle. The other dogs are off schnarfling a log looking for chipmunks.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:22:14 -- 1/180 sec, f/6.7.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Our driveway is on the left, on the right is a channel that was used for drill runoff. I think on the next trip we'll do a little bit of restoration work here to make it look a bit better. OTOH, there may be little point, as the power and phone trench will come right through here.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:22:25 -- 1/125 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Schamali and Genubi cross the dried-up powdered rock river.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:22:47 -- 1/180 sec, f/4.5.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:22:57 -- 1/180 sec, f/6.7.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

The dogs were running up the driveway toward me at full speed. I only got Taun We's tail, at bottom.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:23:18 -- 1/180 sec, f/6.7.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

The driveway entrance has gotten a bit wider.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:23:29 -- 1/250 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

A good shot of the red sweatshirt that Gwen made for Taun We.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:23:39 -- 1/90 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Sleet about one optical depth thick.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:23:49 -- 1/750 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

We left the grey water to just run out down the pipe. Good call, as when I closed it later the whole thing froze solid and we barely managed to get it open before we left.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:23:59 -- 1/250 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Here's the well in full sunlight. We're storing the extension cords and hoses in that container, there.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:24:08 -- 1/250 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:24:27 -- 1/180 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

I guess they had to pull out this tree to put the well in. I'll try to replant it next time I'm up there.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:24:36 -- 1/180 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

The rock river delta.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:24:45 -- 1/90 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.1512x2268 Large -- Medium

Walking with the dogs in one of our 3-meter-deep gullies.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:24:55 -- 1/250 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Good cross-section of some stratigraphy in the walls, but not all that much.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:25:15 -- 1/90 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

From the top
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:25:25 -- 1/60 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.1512x2268 Large -- Medium

This tree looks to have been blown over and killed.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:25:37 -- 1/30 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

The dogs get some refreshment by eating snow, or a concentration of sleet anyway.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:25:47 -- 1/20 sec, f/13.0.  No Flash.1512x2268 Large -- Medium

Gwen at the site of our possible fossil sand ripples.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:25:58 -- 1/125 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Closeup of the possible ripples.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:26:09 -- 1/500 sec, f/8.0.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:26:20 -- 1/500 sec, f/9.5.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

Dawn on Monday morning. Temperature: 0.7 degrees F.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:26:29 -- 1/125 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium

The firepit, in use, trying to keep me warm. It wasn't windy at all, so I managed to keep warm without much trouble. Unlike Jani in Antarctica.
SIGMA SD9, 2005:12:05 23:26:40 -- 1/125 sec, f/5.6.  No Flash.2268x1512 Large -- Medium