Send in the Clouds

Always daunted by photographing landscapes I recently said, 

"Aw, what the hec", 

and shot a few anyway.

Here are some recent skyscapes; all made from my backyard.

Send in the clouds... 

that's what she's singing, isn't she? 

:)

Hummer the Magnificent Thwarts Red Rogue Rufous

Rufous the rogue hummer finally buzzed off to let little Magnificent drink some nectar. Here he/she is on approach, and drinking. Can you see the left wing? It's above the neck and head. I just love these little symbols of joy. And dang, are they hard to shoot! Especially when red russet Rufous is always chasing them away. He is so hyper I've not managed to get a shot of him yet...

And let's not forget the great white hunter, who is an avid tree climber (he especially likes TALL Aspens). He just happened to be in the vicinity and quite interested in the hummer, but realized he couldn't be out on a limb and bird chasing. So he just paused, curious in admiration.

Where's Parlez?

Click to enlarge. He is there!

Wouldn't this make a good jigsaw puzzle?

OK, maybe not.

:)

Santa Fe Hosts an International Folk Art Market!

A couple of Saturdays ago Santa Fe hosted the 5th Annual International Folk Art Market. I was documenting the journey of a couple of artists my friend Shelly had brought over from Peru, a wood carver and a jeweler. (A moviette of this will be shown on Bird's Eye View later this summer). We started in Abiquiu and then a few days later I caught up with them on opening day at the already packed venue up on Museum Hill. Not only is it a wonderful and colorful event, but many of the craftspeople return to their homeland with enough money to put in a water system for the whole town, or something equally as rewarding.

It was my first time and I can see why people go year after year. Here are a few shots from opening day. More to follow.

The Amazing Cholla Cactus

Click to enlarge.

This is the result of a lot of wonderful summer rain. We're in the monsoon season here in northern New Mexico and everything is really benefiting from the moisture. Take this little prickly cactus for example. It amazingly survives and blooms in the most arid of conditions, not unlike what a cactus does. But in the 13 years I've lived here I've never seen so many lovely blooms—usually late June or July—and this year has been really exceptional. After I backed into this bush (ouch, lots of tiny little prickles wedged themselves in my trousers) I got closer, this time facing it, and captured these blooms at dusk.

I waited a little longer, and looking out toward Bobcat Spur I saw this. 

Click to enlarge this one also!

Make Your Own Hammock!

I'm going to do this. And after I do I will post a photo!

Keep watching after the credits, as the last few seconds are actually an art installation. Enjoy!

"The difficult we do at once. The impossible. . ."

Printable Bookmark! 

To print, scroll to the bottom of this post and click on the icon to view its link. It will come up on its own page. Then print and trim.

The difficult we do at once. The impossible takes a little longer. —Louis Mountbatten

This was Prince Charles' favorite uncle, who was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979. And this quote may have been inspired by the time he spent in India as Viceroy of the British Indian Empire, 1947–1948. Or just by virtue of the fact he had six names to remember, even before his surname. 

I found this quote in a Vanity Fair article about him and liked it immediately. More about him here.

Sheep, Goats and a Yarn Farm in Martha's Vineyard

When I was about 13 years old my pal Al and I went on an adventure with the Crusaders. No, not Randy Crawford and her group, but a type of bible study group we belonged to in Hertfordshire, England, where I grew up. I think I joined for the trips and so I wouldn't have to go to church (I was required to do something in this vain). But that's a whole other story.

So one April Al and I went to Cae Canol, in Wales. An idyllic little town green as you've ever seen. I remember we slept in bunk beds. And I remember we set out to climb Mount Snowdon. I took my trusty Vivitar 110 camera (the slim ones with the teeeenie negatives) to get some outstanding in-progress shots, and similar ones once we reached the top. It was overcast when we set out and continued to get worse the further up we went. Polyanna me said that no doubt it would be clear as a bell once we reached the top. Al was a little more skeptical, because she just was, and also her mother was from Wales so she was very familiar with the Welsh weather.

So we climbed and climbed, and climbed. A few hours later we ascended the summit plodding and puffing a bit, but we were at the top. We were elated. And we were also completely socked in, with nary a vista for the eyes to behold, just a thick layer of grey pea soup. Visibility was about five feet so we seized this opportunity to have someone take a shot, maybe two, of us to prove we had actually done it.

But on the way home.... and this brings me to the whole point of the story. On the way home walking through a field we came across some sheep, and in particular, a ewe just about to give birth. This was absolutely enthralling to me. I had to stop and document the whole thing. Which I did, as the others continued. I think I finished up the roll, and ran to catch up.

When I got home the gang said, "Let's see your photos from your trip!" And I proudly showed them the (groovy 1970s color) prints. The general response was: "Where's that? Oh, Snowdon. But what are all these other pictures of sheep? And this one all bloody? Oooooo." I excitedly recounted the whole thing about how we were passing by at the perfect time, and wasn't that fortunate and isn't this all just amazing. "Very nice Elsa", they said nodding, sticking them into the envelope and handing it back to me.

And that was when I knew: some people just don't get it.

So in the spirit of adventure, nature and creatures, entrepreneurship and innovation (all close to my heart), I present to you this inspiring video about network news producer-turned-shepherd's Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm. 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I came across this entry from a new site I just discovered, saw this video and was inspired to plonk it down right here. Apparently at the end of newsman's Tim Russert's memorial service a piece of music from his own iPod was played. Afterward people went upstairs to the rooftop reception to find a stunning double rainbow beaming down on them. Now that makes me smile :) 

Here it is so you can see for yourself. I love the ukulele rendition of this song. In-joy.

Bobcat Spur on Sunday Afternoon Just Before the Monsoon

This is where we live... and this is the mountainette that watches over us, Bobcat Spur.

Aptly named, as there are a few around, 

who not only live up here but saunter by the back porch at dusk,

easy as you please. 

This shot made just before the welcome afternoon monsoon. 

I am a Cat, therefore...

I do hunt on occasion

Click to see the lizard mustache

It's summer time and boy is it summer time. I left for a few days and came home

to several gifts. Most survived, thanks to a large stash of yogurt cartons.

This little lizard did make it back into the wilderness.

He lived to tell the tail, even though it was a bit shorter.