The Photographer’s I: Sunset Country

In extreme northwest Victoria, Australia, where the outback begins, lies a dry eucalyptus land called Sunset Country. I have never seen this place, but the name itself is its own reward.  Imagine—the evocation of the mere word sunset. What comes to mind?  Of course dazzling reds and oranges, reflected in the water or across desert [...]

Read Full Post »

The Cienga Trail

It’s been blazing hot in Albuquerque since the 4th of July. No rain, 100°+ days, 75° at night. There’s been no break for anything to cool down. The grapevines were wilted yellow and the leaves on the oak and hackberry looked drooped and dejected. Friday we decided to try the east side of the Sandias [...]

Read Full Post »

Backyard Bird Watching

Today our neighbors are having their home re-stuccoed. I’m sure as the workmen climbed up on the roof they were surprised and, perhaps amused, to see in the adjacent yard, two pajamaed folks gazing through binoculars, at what must have appeared to be a blank back wall. What they couldn’t see was that we were [...]

Read Full Post »

What We Call Rivers in New Mexico

Whenever we go toward either coast we’re always reminded of how loosely we use the term “river” here in New Mexico. But, according to 2000 US Census figures, what we may not have in standard river metrics—volume or width or depth—we do make up for in sheer length. The Rio Grande, which bisects the state [...]

Read Full Post »

Sandia Sunday

Sunday promises to be clear, cool and breezy as we head for the Piedra Lisa Spring Trailhead. We’re not alone. The parking lot is close to full. Piedra Lisa (it means smooth stone) is a fairly steep trail, gaining 1200’ in about two miles. This does not stop the large number of families we see [...]

Read Full Post »

Sandia Springtime

Today we take one of Albuquerque’s premiere Sandia spring hikes: up Domingo Baca Canyon. Just beyond our city’s eastern foothills open space, we pass through a serpentine gate (designed to keep out mountain bikers and horse back riders) onto US Forest Service land, and about a half mile later, enter a designated Wilderness Area. (BTW: [...]

Read Full Post »

My Windy City

Today it’s windy here. That means it’s springtime in the Land of Enchantment. Our weather radio cautions high profile vehicles to hold on tight through Tijeras Pass and we’re all supposed to be ready for blowing dust and “unexpected airborne objects” like WalMart bags and Burger King wrappers and plastic Adirondack chairs. Today’s forecasts are [...]

Read Full Post »

The Photographer’s I: Minimalism in January

Snow not only brings a soothing hush to the racket and tumult of everyday urban life—it also gives rest and tranquility to our abused eyes. Unfortunately, I can’t give an unambiguous answer as to what this means in its fullest. Maybe: “You know it when you see it.” Here’s another try: A slowing of the [...]

Read Full Post »

Flocks by Day

Yesterday I was sitting in the living room reading the Sunday comics. Given the toxic nature of public “conversation” these days, the comics have become my only consistent must-read in the daily newspaper. Red and Rover is my favorite. (Check it out at http://comics.com/red&rover/) I heard a thump at the front of the house. Nothing [...]

Read Full Post »

Last Chance?

Last night we had a big storm here in Albuquerque. Our first winter storm watch led to a downpour, thunder and lightning, peak wind gusts of 59 mph, a power outage, and this morning a snow frosted landscape. In places roads are black ice; some locations got a foot of snow. This is not that [...]

Read Full Post »