Kokopelli and Christmas Lights

The shops in Albuquerque’s Old Town are gearing up for Christmas — with a little traditional help.

Dwan Light Sanctuary

Rainbows created by the prisms embedded in the walls and ceiling of the Dwan Light Sanctuary, in Montezuma, New Mexico — a photographer’s dream.

Madonna and Pigeon

This carving of the Virgin of Guadalupe is in a cottonwood tree behind the San Felipe de Neri church in Albuquerque’s Old Town. I was told that the carving was originally done by a veteran returned from the Korean War — that he made the carving in thanks for his safe return from the war.

Ghost Bike

There are many, many New Mexican characteristics I love — including descansos — but a sometimes cavalier attitude toward the lives of cyclists is not one of them. The rider this bike represents was killed while riding on a designated bike/multi-use trail about a year ago. It was over four months after the accident that the driver — whose car jumped three lanes, an embankment, and a fence to end up on the bike trail — finally was charged in his death.

Tractor Mailbox

Winter’s always tough for me because browns are predominant and bright colors are scarce. This mailbox was a nice visual break.