It is getting to be that time of year when the bird counters start counting birds. I love it….Yeah, I know some of you put a damper on me saying a fellow is out there pointing his finger, yelling “stand still will you, I’m counting” and the counting is half way done and up comes a coyote and they all fly off and the counting has to began again……Ok, so maybe that is not the way it really goes, but you can’t keep that picture out of my mine….I will be reporting on the wildlife refuge as soon as the numbers start coming out. The sand hill cranes are already back. We were down I-25 this past weekend and the water in the refuge appears to be low this year. Maybe they have been waiting before turning water into the area to keep down evaporation, don’t know for sure, but I hope more water will be available for them. Anyway, I’ll keep you up to date on the count……….Snow skiing area’s….the first report was in the paper this morning showing the ski resorts that were open or soon to be open and the snow available on the runs. Since I don’t ski, I don’t know if 15 inches of snow ski’s differently than 65 inches of snow, but I would assume it would be more cover to rocks, brush and other small obstacles that would get in a skiers way. Anyway, I like to follow the inches of snow on each resort…Wolf Creek Colorado is already at 37 – 41 inches with 6 lifts open. Red River New Mexico and Durango, CO both have 20 – 24 inches and both are open on weekends. Down south, Ski Apache has 14 inch base and has 3 lifts open. More snow is headed our way this weekend….Skiers, get ready…Also, I love to read about and report on ice fishing, yeah, it is close…Eagle Nest reports it is half covered with ice and is now closed to boating for the season. It is expected to be completely covered after this weekends storm. Ice is on the edges of Fenton Lake but reports plenty of open water for fishing. This weekend might change that report as well. Isleta Lakes still has some money fish available from the annual trout tournament. The old $5000 dollar fish is still available and if it is caught Monday – Thursday the price doubles to $10,000…Now, that is a pricey fish…Winter hours at Isleta Lake are 7 am to 5 pm,  days a week. You might want to get your pole out and see can you caught that big boy….Carlsbad, New Mexico is now enjoying Christmas on the Pecos River. Boats  takes visitors on the Pecos to view all the lights decorating the yards and homes of residents living along the river. According to the Carlsbad Current Argus who spoke with Lisa Boeke, The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce tourism director, bookings for the event are up 20 percent over last year. She reports, “Christmas on the Pecos is listed as a top 100 event by the American Bus Association.” They are expecting tour buses from New York, California, Texas and several other states. To order tickets or get pricing or additional information visit www.christmasonthepecos.com…      You know, New Mexico is a place of many flavors….If you are looking for a place to visit or to relocate, give us a try. You might fall in love with it like a whole bunch of us have….