Wed on campus

Suddenly, the holiday weekend is over

The last thistle just west of Hillsboro

a rather tropical sunset in TrC

This is what I saw just before I headed back to Los Lunas. That rabbit sat there until I got the camera out and focused.

Then it did the wise rabbit thing and took off.

Coming back down again

Even more snow as we reached the peak

the long view

two trees, like old friends, one in better shape

This tilted scene was amusing, tho the curving icy roads were not.

A little snow, and thence to more

on the way up to Emory Pass

oddities

a little cactus kachina

and a soft heart-shaped moon

at the end of a lovely, wonderful day

more trees, rock, leaves, water

and then there were three

birds in the tree

There are few things I love more than walking near a clear little stream. Water, rocks, trees and leaves have a wonderful effect on me.

Reflecting on things...

The day after Thanksgiving

on the drive from Hillsboro to Kingston

and then into the woods at Kingston on the Forest Road

a little composition right there on the ground

branching out

Thanksgiving Day

I am thankful for my family, and my warm little adobe house. Although this cottonwood is dying, it's still beautiful. When a breeze catches the leaves, it sounds like running water.

Some small birds perched in the Russian olive, maybe to keep an eye on us?

The goldfinches showed up again, to feast on the remaining sunflower seeds.

Day's end from below and above

a mimosa tree on my way back to work

and the grand finale from the sixth floor, with the wind blowing away down there

A walk to the bookstore

with the wind whipping the leaves around and feeding me grit

a little green space in front of the HSC Library

some fall colors showing up a little further away

and these beautiful dark red pointed leaves

Miss P and Mr. Woo

Sammy Wammy Woo looks askance at Miss Pumpkin Pie.

Truth or Consequences Sunday afternoon

Hillsboro Sunday morn

Hideaway for the Big White Cat

This is where he sleeps during the day. Notice the tail and extended paw.

Alors, he is noticed! He begins to emerge.

More scenes from the train

Two more from the morning ride -- the first one reminds me of Grand Chenier for some reason, except there needs to be many more trees.

a lovely grouping of trees, sun, sky and clouds

scenes from the train ride this morning

this explosion of light through the trees

the mighty sunny Rio Grande, before being dammed at Isleta

sunlight caught in trees along the way

I can truthfully say that these might have been better if the windows had been cleaner, but the misty effect is tolerable to us foggy-eyed romantics.

Saturday trip to the Bosque, part 3

I was fascinated by these fluffy plumes, like pampas grass, but prettier. Here's the long view.

A little closer...

very close, shooting into the sun for drama, yes?

and last time around, with an overcast sky.

Saturday trip to the Bosque, part 2

The snow geese, on their way to greener fields, shot against the mountains (a shot that Mr. Experience commented he had done so often he was not excited about any more)

Snow geese going the other way

Another of snow geese, again using the mountains as a rather dramatic backdrop (especially for those of us who grew up at sealevel)

A bald eagle sitting in a bare tree, after seizing, killing and eating one of the snow geese -- how American, n'est-ce pas?

Saturday trip to Bosque, part 1

Reflective

Cranes and mule deer

the long view

snow geese overhead

waiting for to go?

Lamentably unoriginal title, n'est-ce pas?

This was the second thing I saw in the Bosque del Apache Saturday.

More and better to come for those who wait.

Working the diagonal

Because it creates interesting pictures. Behold the pigeons of UNM North Campus.

The red foliage of a pointy-leafed tree that I cannot accurately identify.

A crape myrtle, still clad in green.

And the pendant golden leaves of a cooling cottonwood.

Does that mean that being double-crossed makes for a more interesting life?

Karma

Mama told me today that Daddy wrote me out of his will almost two decades ago, when I refused to let him adopt my daughter.
She seemed to think that I should be ashamed, but I told her I had no reason to be.

Until I die and choose to be buried in Grand Chenier, I will never own a piece of the land where I grew up.

That's that.

Sunday trip to TrC

Here's an interesting cottonwood just by exit 190 to Belen. I always think I'll stop and take a decent picture of it, but I don't know that I have yet. Lots of problems there, not least of which are the cockleburrs in abundance.

Better closer? Hmmm....

oooh, here's me, either submerging or emerging from one of the best soaks I've ever had. The temperature of the water was just right, and I had the big pool at Hay-Yo-Kay to myself.

The Pixie on Broadway is closing. I always liked the sign, so I took the time to catch it, too.

Why the goldfinches fly away

It's little ol' Miss P.

Here's the golden light of dawn, framed by golden cottonwood leaves.