General Awareness: This report covers the 2 week period from 14 July-27 July.  During this period 1.52 inches of rain was received (including 0.08 inch received from thunderstorms today, as of 2030 MDT).  The majority of the rain was reported as multiday obs on 16 July (0.65 inch) and on 23 July (0.62) inches, while I was away from my station.  This total brings our monthly total rainfall to 3.03 inches, putting us into the Normal Range for the NOAA July 30 year normal.  Note that today’s thunderstorms also included a brief period of pea size hail around 1400 MDT (hail report submitted). There were also around 5 lightning strikes observed within 10 miles of my station during the late afternoon thunderstorms.  However, these thunderstorms only added about 0.02 inch of rain to the total catch noted above.  There has been a noticeable increase in the greening of indigenous grasses and ground cover and the soil texture appears to be slightly damp.  Given the amount of rain received this month, the slightly damp soil texture and greatly increased greening, as previously observed at  this time of year thanks to the monsoon conditions, I now classify our condition as NEAR NORMAL.  The one caveat to this is the poor condition of the pinon trees due to the previous exceedingly dry weeks, as noted below.   Note that the widely reported Ruidoso area flooding is approx 10 miles south and approx 300 feet below my location and is not an issue at my station. 
Plants & Wildlife:  Upon returning to my station on 22 July, I noticed a significant increase in the greening of indigenous grasses. A succulent type of wild ground cover has sprung up and is now covering  the majority of areas where little to no indigenous grasses had been growing prior to my time away.  Greening of the indigenous grasses and ground cover is now 100%.  In spite of the rain, almost half of the pinon trees on my property continue to show stress and will likely not survive.  All Juniper trees now look healthy.  Deer, elk, rabbit, squirrel and birdlife health continue to appear normal.  
Fire/Restrictions:  As previously reported: Our Fire Hazard continues to be posted as MODERATE at the BLM Fort Stanton Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (nearest border approx 2.6 miles ENE of my location).  No nearby fire activity was reported this week.  An open flame burn ban remains in effect across Lincoln County. 
Water Supply & Quality:  Late Wednesday morning, Rio Bonito (observation point approx 1.25 mi NNE of my station) was observed to have a low water level, but with discernable flow.  However, the river bed was dry when observed at the same obs point mid-morning today. Picture of the wet and dry obs are attached.  (Note that Rio Bonito is a primary watershed tributary from the Sierra Blanca, Lookout and Buck Mountains, approximately 12 miles SW-WSW of my location).