Volcanic Plug southwest of Casa Salazar, N.M. 1911.
(W.T. Lee 776)

Retake of Lee 776, 9/3/98. Cerro de la Nuestra Senora looking south across Hay Meadow canyon. Juniper has increased dramatically in this view and shrub-dominated flats(primarily Big Sage?) have been replaced by a grassland community including Gramma grasses, Indian Ricegrass (?), Big Sage, Snakeweed, and sparse yellow composites. Hay Meadow was probably named during the first period of settlement in the 1860's or earlier. Some reports indicate that hay was cut in some parts of the Puerco valley during this period, and cutting may have contributed to invasion of shrubs visible in Lee's view.
35° 25' N, 107° 9' W; 28 mm lens.