Duke Sheppard

Duke Sheppard

@dukelives.bsky.social

Musician, songwriter (music duo Pint & a Half, Howlin' Dog Records), hiker/backpacker, explorer, nature lover, ex-river ranger/park ranger ex-fly fishing guide, traveler, coffee roaster, cat guy, truth seeker. ally. NM, CO and the road. Republicans: GFYS

1.9K followers465 following552 posts

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Natural Curiosity’s Hermosa Field Station is in the old silver mining town of Hermosa NM. Only 18 miles straight distance from our home in Hillsboro, but 87 to drive. 40 miles from a highway to Winston (pop. 47), then 30 more on an increasingly terrible dirt road to the end in the Wilderness…more…

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Natural Curiosity’s Hermosa Field Station is in the old silver mining town of Hermosa NM. Only 18 miles straight distance from our home in Hillsboro, but 87 to drive. 40 miles from a highway to Winston (pop. 47), then 30 more on an increasingly terrible dirt road to the end in the Wilderness…more…

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

We were lucky enough to play music for their first annual Burro Races last weekend. Probably the biggest event in Hermosa since the fabled July Fourth Celebration of 1888! Good work being done here in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness! Check out Natural Curiosity! We love the Black Range. ❤️

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

From the valley far below, I looked up at a rock formation that looked like a perfect place for a petroglyph. Grabbed binoculars and, sure enough! I had to hike up for a closer look. The Black Range is my home.

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Great show at our local Hillsboro New Mexico Community Center last Saturday! It was so nice out that we decided to do an experiment and move the show outside. It was a great evening!

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Great time at Bluegrass on the Arkansas in Salida CO this weekend! We played Saturday night, then spent yesterday just enjoying the music and seeing lots of musician friends perform, and visiting with local friends. Worn out and ready to head back to Hillsboro NM! #music #colorado

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

We’re currently in CO playing some gigs and seeing friends, but I find myself incredibly homesick for the Black Range. This was last September in Dry Gallinas canyon.

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Danger Noodle on the trail a couple of days ago. He struck at me as I went by, but he didn’t mean it. 🤣 #snake #mountainbike #mtb #colorado #salidacolorado #trail

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

We live right next door to Ted Turner’s (RIP) Ladder Reserve, where there are several endangered species programs. Last night, we helped with our second Mexican Gray Wolf capture. They were crated and are on their way to MX to add to their population in the Sierra Madre. Thankful to be a part! #wolf

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Traditional Nuevo Mexico Música concert and dance at our beautiful Hillsboro New Mexico Community Center last night! So much fun! #southwest #newmexico #music #baile

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Feeling the need to get back on the trail. Soon! Photo: La Garita Wilderness, southern Colorado, 2023. #hike #backpacking #explore #southwest #adventure #protectpubliclands

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Trail Work Day yesterday on Emory Pass, New Mexico, with Gila Backcountry Horsemen, NMVFO, and our new chapter of the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance, Sierra County NM Trails. Fun day, but hard work!

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Today will be our third Saturday at the Hillsboro NM Farm Market with our coffee. It’s been going well! We sold out last week! Also learning how to make reels…

Duke Sheppard
@dukelives.bsky.social

Wow! Suddenly the flow from our hot spring has doubled! And it’s hotter, too! (Didn’t have a thermometer to verify, but it feels several degrees hotter). Don’t know what’s going on, but I like it! #truthorconsequences #newmexico #hotsprings #southwest