Socorro, NM (4/19 & 20/2021)

 In 1598, a group of Spanish settlers barely survived a patch of desert in what is now Southern New Mexico.  A pueblo of Piro Indians gave them food and water, so the Spaniards renamed the pueblo "Socorro", Spanish for help or aid.  The first Catholic Mission in the area was established in 1626.  In 1680, the town was pretty much wiped out by the Apaches and other aggressive Indians.  Socorro was not resettled until 1815.  The Mission of San Miguel de Socorro was established soon after on the grounds of the original mission, and it is still active today.

 When New Mexico became a U.S. territory in 1859, Socorro had a population of 543.  It gradually grew to a population of 9051 as of 2010, but it appears the population has since declined somewhat.  Without much industry to attract residents, this trend may well continue.  The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, along with the Bureau of Land Management are the main employers, neither offering a growth industry.

Here are a few scenes to give the flavor of Socorro.

 Socorro County is proud of its old mission churches, of which there are seven. I happened upon a couple of them while exploring the area, not specifically seeking them out. The San Antonio Mission has, unfortunately, fallen on hard times.

While in San Antonio, I noticed the old railroad depot and learned an interesting story from its history.  It seems that Conrad Hilton was born in this little village and, as a youngster, carried passengers' luggage from the depot to his father's hotel.  This life experience helped him form the famous Hilton Hotel chain.

 I also noticed The Owl Bar & Grill, but didn't bother to stop.  Bad decision, since I later learned it is famous for green chile cheeseburgers (which I love).  Also, it was the meeting place for Los Alamos scientists before the first atomic bomb test at nearby Trinity site in 1945.

 

Every winter, thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese, and other migrating birds settle into Bosque del Apache, about twenty miles south of Socorro.  It is one of the most popular places for birders and photographers to meet up.  I knew those birds would be long gone, but visited the bosque (woods) just to see what other birds and wildlife might be around.  The refuge is a huge property of ponds, fields and wooded areas, with miles of driving trails.

Pied-bill Grebe

House Finch

Distant Kestrel

Western Kingbird

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

American Egret

Cattle Egret

Northern Shoveler

Western Meadowlark

Driving along, I was surprised to see a herd of javelinas emerging from deep weeds.  I counted sixteen of the critters before it was done.  They may look like pigs, but they are members of the peccary family.

Leaving the refuge, I saw a rig-necked pheasant walking along the road shoulder.  Couldn't stop in time, so I turned around and came back.  Just as I was getting ready with the camera, this beautiful creature stepped into the weeds, so I only got the tail.

Ring-necked Pheasant