There are still a few mallards, coots, and Canada geese left in this Rio Grande Bosque pond. This is a very classic central New Mexican winter scene — i.e., with muted colors despite the golden light — which makes me long for spring.
Christmas Eve 2019
One of my very favorite days (or perhaps I should say evenings), this year Christmas Eve washed out completely in a steady rain that began this afternoon. I confess I didn’t even try to go out and take photos — luminarias, made from brown paper lunch bags and votive candles, just don’t do that well in the rain. So I’m offering a photo I took 12 years ago, on Christmas Eve of 2007.
I wish you and yours warm, dry, happy and safe holidays!
Storm Clouds Over the Sandias
Summer often gently fades into fall, and fall into winter. Not so this year; it became fall rather suddenly and, likewise, winter arrived with a blast about a week and a half ago. Last weekend’s storm, which didn’t quite make it down to town, was followed by a Thanksgiving storm which dumped 3-6 inches on Albuquerque itself — setting a record for the most snow this early in the winter.
I don’t like the cold but I do love taking photos of storms. So I bundled up, went out, and took photos of the Sandias from Elena Gallegos Picnic Area (aka Simms Park) last week. They look so beautifully icy from below … but I can’t imagine actually being up there (the weather said it was 7 degrees Fahrenheit at the Crest this morning). Happy early winter!
Bosque Trail in Fall
The bosque in Albuquerque is still pretty green and yellow, and fragrant with the smells of wet dirt and leaf decay.
Marigold Parade Side-Eye
Today was the first time in 13 years that I didn’t spend the first Sunday in November at the Marigold Parade in the South Valley. I didn’t go because it didn’t happen — the organizers are taking a break this year to regroup and possibly find another direction.
The Marigold Parade has been one of my favorite days of the year for over a decade. It’s always happened very close to my birthday (some years on my birthday itself) and I must say, I felt slightly depressed all day. It seemed like a very special day that fell completely flat this year.
In honor of the many years of joy that parade has brought me (and countless others, no doubt), here’s one of my all-time favorite shots. I took it 5 years ago, on an uncharacteristically cloudy and rainy day. This little girl was standing close to me with her Halloween bag, collecting all the candy parade participants were throwing to the crowds. I took several photos of her when she wasn’t looking — but in this one she saw me. I thought her side-eye was incredibly impressive — and adorable.