HAPPENINGS
April 2026
The great times we had as a community this month.
Japan's Winter Wildlife: A Once in a Lifetime Photographic Journey
Story by Teresa Lange Reinhard, Photos by Rinus Baak
Snow Monkey bathing in hot springs
March 12, 2026. Rinus Baak hosted his sixth wildlife photography presentation at the Amenity Center to an attentive crowd of about 60 Mirehaven residents. This presentation focused on his and his wife’s January 2010 trip to Japan.
As an avid photographer since 2006 with numerous photographic tours completed, they made a 14-day tour to several locations to photograph the famous Snow Monkeys, but also several species of cranes, Steller Sea Eagles, Black Eared-kites, and Whooper Swans, as well as Sika Deer and Red Fox.
Rinus and Jane spoke fondly about the beauty of the snow-capped Japanese Alps, the exotic and exquisitely prepared meals, ubiquitous custom of removing street shoes to wear one-toed socks and slippers while indoors, and public group bathing, sans clothing!
Baak declared the wildlife trip to Japan was “extraordinary and the trip of a lifetime.” He advises those interested in a similar trip to “select a tour company with extensive local experience and bi-lingual guides, to be polite to all you meet, and to suppress the American tendency to talk and laugh loudly.” He encourages one to enjoy each new experience. Wise counsel, for travelers and non-travelers alike!
Baak shoots with an Olympus OM-1 Mark II camera as it is more compact and lightweight than the competitors.
The Baaks plan to visit India this spring, to photograph the Bengal Tiger and The Taj Mahal, and then on to Borneo where they hope to photograph the majestic Orangutan.
Watch the Mirehaven calendar for his next inspiring photo presentation. Whether you do not travel or are trying to decide where to tour next, his photographic presentations allow you to feel like you have just had a short trip to a stunning part of our enchanting world.
Scandalous Women
By Teresa Lange Reinhard
Susan Hummer McSween Barber
She enjoyed fine dresses, expensive jewelry, a beautifully furnished home, and frequent trips to El Paso, Texas.
March 23, 2026. Donna Pedace presented from her book, Scandalous Women of the Old West: The Women Who Dared to Be Different” which features ten women who were famous in their time to about 60 Mirehaven residents. Pedace noted that “women have fallen through the cracks of time”, and that historically significant women are regrettably unknown; unfortunately, their contributions to the development of the southwest have been forgotten.
Pedace highlighted Susan Hummer McSween Barber, who was known as “The Cattle Queen of New Mexico.” She owned and managed the Three Rivers Ranch, near Lincoln, New Mexico, with upward of 8,000 cattle by 1890.
She was a survivor of the infamous Lincoln County War, which was a violent feud over economic and political control from 1878 to 1881, which resulted in the murder of her first husband. After his death, she ran her thriving cattle business at a time in which few women rarely owned and managed business enterprises. She was known as tenacious, savvy, and intelligent. To survive, she had to be tough and outspoken, qualities not supported in women of that era.
Pedace stated about 150 newspaper articles were written about McSween during her lifetime, a tribute to her renown. She knew Billy the Kid, of whom she is reported to say, “he could have been a good kid except for the bad choices he made.” Unfortunately, McSween died an impoverished woman at the age of 85 from pneumonia.
Pedace also mentioned Jacquline Cochran, a pioneer of aviation who at the time of her death in 1980 held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other male or female pilot in aviation history. She was instrumental in the formation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II.
Pedace presents history talks, focusing on women’s contributions, for Albuquerque Oasis, which may be contacted at www.oasisabq.org or 505-884-4529.
Planting Albuquerque Winners
By Teresa Lange Reinhard
March 25, 2026. Randy Verble, Master Gardener and Mirehaven resident, presented a talk on using native plants, soil amendments, and water management to about 60 attentive residents who desire to improve their chances of successfully growing plants.
Verble became involved with the Master Gardner program after he retired while living in the Denver area. He recertified again once he and his wife, Barbara, moved to Mirehaven in 2021. Even though both areas are a mile high, near mountains, and in the Southwest, Albuquerque has high ultraviolet radiation index due to our thin atmosphere and high winds, both of which contribute to drying out plants and soil. Add to that our temperature extremes, lack of water, and alkaline soil comprised of sand, caliche (lime, which is very hard) and volcanic rock, it’s no wonder growing plants is a challenge.
Verble noted there are seven growing zones in Albuquerque, and Mirehaven is considered zone 7b. In addition, there are microclimates across a home’s outdoor space due to home orientation, shade, and surfaces that reflect and radiate heat.
He listed several native perennials that are suited to our harsh conditions; Red Yucca, Red Valerian, Salvia, Yarrow, Blanket Flower, Penstemon, Scarlet Globemallow, Prickly Pear, Autumn Sage, Agave, Rose of Sharon, Spanish Broom, Texas Sage, and Mock Orange. Trees that do well include Crab Apple and Desert Willow. Other flowers to consider include Dianthus, Thyme, Verbena, Cone Flower, Red Hot Poker, Texas Yellow Bells, Daisy, and Coreopsis.
Native plants may be found at Plants of the Southwest, Alameda Greenhouse, Osuna Nursery, Jericho Nursery, Plant World, Albuquerque Water Gardens & Nursery, as well as online at highcountrygardens.com. The Big Box stores have options too, but ensure the plant is suitable for our growing conditions. Eight hours of direct sunlight here is very different than 8 hours in the east or northeast!
For additional plant education, visit the Native Plant Society of New Mexico at npsnm.org and 505Outside.com, or see the titles in the below photograph. Here’s wishing everyone happy gardening!
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Randy Verble, Master Gardner
Teresa Lange Reinhard
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Books recommended by Randy Verble, Master Gardener
Teresa Lange Reinhard