Phantom Of The Forest

For a decade a pair of red-shouldered hawks (buteo lineatus) have claimed and defended our back-forty as their nesting territory. These ambush hunters are small forest raptors—about the size of a crow, with a three-foot wingspan. When in pursuit of small mammals, frogs, lizards, snakes and large insects, these graceful aerialists thread through the understory of towering woodland canopies with ease—before swooping down powerfully to surprise and snatch their prey.

Based on past concurrent sightings of the pair, I’m fairly certain this is the male. In this broad-winged hawk species, males are noticeably smaller than females. This makes size the most obvious characteristic to distinguish between the sexes, since plumage is identical.

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

On Cobble Ridge in Pittsboro NC

Summertime Blues

When listless heart suffers endless malaise,

Embrace bolder rhythms of summer days;

Then...lingering gloom will vanish, leastways,

From mood crushed by life’s tortuous maze.

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Dog Days Of Summer

Jordan Lake NC from ranger station overlook

Wild Burros Of Ned Houk Park

Wild burros tend to be solitary animals with legendary endurance. Their sure-footedness allows them to navigate unforgiving terrain. With evolutionary origins that trace back to the arid regions of North Africa—they survive on minimal forage and water—which makes them well-suited for environments of the American Southwest.

The working bond between humans and burros started some 5,000 years ago. The symbiotic relationship continued with Spanish explorers, conquistadors and missionaries, who introduced burros to the New World in the 16th century. The working equines played an important role as pack and draft animals during the exploration and settling of remote areas.

In time, miners and prospectors during the 19th century Gold Rush relied on descendants of these amiable beasts to carry heavy mining supplies. When mining booms ended some burros escaped, others were abandoned or released—the hardy animals survived and established wild, free-roaming herds. Along with wild horses, the wild burros are protected under statues of New Mexico law.

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Llano Estacado Two-Step

Wild burros on Ned Houk Park rangelands north of Clovis NM

Canadian River Plain

The sweeping expanse of the Canadian River Plain whispers of a world before the dawn of mankind. Seemingly uncorrupted solitude, a sprawling horizon and a sea of grass under eternal blue skies disguise any footprint of humanity.

Before the arrival of Europeans and later American settlers, widely dispersed indigenous tribes dominate the pristine wilderness—known as Our People’s Land among Comanches. The horse-cultures of Comanche and Kiowa are quintessential nomadic hunter-gatherers of the Southern Great Plains. Their age-old, intimate knowledge of the plains is legendary. Their reverence for the animals and rhythms of  the grasslands is spiritual. Understanding habits of gregarious herd animals like American bison and pronghorn antelope—especially on migrations to summer grazing grounds—is a cornerstone of their survival and culture.

The Canadian River watershed spans 1,000 miles across Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. At an elevation of 4,000 feet, vast stretches of the timeless landscape in New Mexico remain minimally tamed by human hand.

From my vantage point on the northern precipice of the Llano Estacado Escarpment, the plain still appears unspoiled by civilization. Ten miles to the north and swallowed by the expanse is the village of San Jon—population 195—a waypoint on the historic Route 66. These days Interstate 40 parallels “The Mother Road” and links the village with the bustling town of Tucumcari, New Mexico to the west and Amarillo, Texas to the east.

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Canadian River Plain

At Llano Estacado escarpment near Wheatland NM

In Pursuit Of Stillness

Life has ups and downs,

     Which complement each other—

Wise heart finds balance

© Ilija Lukić 2026

The Yin And The Yang

Pearl of dew on flower leaf in Clovis NM c. 2011

Embracing Spontaneity

Fear casts long shadows

     Be bold, step into life’s light—

Why not seize the day?

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Step Into The Light

Aftermath of monsoon rains on Staked Plain near Clovis NM

Beyond The Veil Of Time

At 4,600 feet of elevation, the northern boundary of Llano Estacado tablelands is a rugged escarpment dotted with piñon pines and junipers. In some places caprock crowns steep cliff faces. In others alluvial fans ease into the majestic sprawl of the Canadian River basin sweeping into boundless beauty of the open horizon.

At the break-over edge of the escarpment, I pause my day trip to San Jon, New Mexico on a roadside overlook at Harguess Hollow Park—minutes north of Grady. My imagination takes flight and I purposely give mind’s eye free rein to roam the river plain during the time-shrouded days of yore.

 

Right away I acknowledge the history of the arid grasslands. They are dynamic, ancestral territories of Comanches, Apaches and Kiowa tribes. But, the sublime beauty and allure of faraway vistas beyond the veil of the known also fires imaginations of 17th century Spanish explorers in search of treasure. Later European settlers and explorers use the river corridor as an east-west passage to reach Santa Fe NM and California.

The inhospitable, semi-arid plain—dominated by blue grama, buffalograss, galleta, sideoats grama and little bluestem—also challenges travelers with thorny indigenous flora. Distinct personal experiences with bayonette-like yucca leaves, barbed cholla spines and horse-crippling prickly-pear cactus spikes allow me to relate to their physical torment. 

On closer reflection, I find that adversity and struggles on the trail often sow seeds of contentment. Like the serenity of a high plains sunrise with the aroma of sage on the first breath of daybreak...or putting a grueling day to rest on a wisp of honey mesquite smoke gently curling through chill evening air, whispering promises of a delicious campfire meal.

© Ilija Lukić 2026

Playground Of Wind, Rain And Sun

Harguess Hollow Park overlook near amphitheater north Of Grady NM