Summer Thunder and Dust Storm

Summer Dust Storm, Northwestern New Mexico

Coming home through Shiprock about a week and a half ago, the weather looked so threatening to the south that I abandoned my plan to take the easy, good-weather way home. Instead, I took the longer way — down Highway 491, through the Navajo Nation to Gallup — so I could capture a few photos of the weather drama. I realize most folks would try to avoid the bad weather … but I’m a photographer, and therefore not entirely normal.

Aluminum Yucca

Aluminum Yucca

This aluminum yucca, made from salvaged hollow aluminum fuel tanks from F-16s, is just east of Albuquerque, right off I-40. I’ve always wanted to take photos of it — especially at night, when it’s illuminated by multicolored LED lights — but I’ve never felt it was particularly safe to stop on the shoulder to get the shot. Yesterday a friend and I hiked through the Sandia foothills to see it … and i finally got my shot.

You can learn more about Aluminum Yucca (its name, really!) on the artist’s website.

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