After walking the short trail up to the mesa where the remains of the Pecos Church stand, it is easy to see why people have lived here and why humans from the Paleoindians and Puebloans to the Spanish conquistadors to Mexican and Anglo armies chose this place.  It is on a mesa with nearly 360 degree views of surrounding mountains above and streams below.  Considering it is adobe on rock wall foundations, the church is a massive edifice on the grassy knoll. 

Smoke from the fire can be seen in the right hand third of the photograph, if you look left from the kiva ladder.

There is something about kivas.  More than simply a hole in the ground with a ladder, the smell and coolness of the earth and the latillas in kivas, in addition to centuries of ceremonial activities, give them a curious and comforting feel.  

The ladder reaches to the sky.

One of the most fascinating elements of the church itself is the archways.  It is unusual to see an arch in early Southwestern architecture.  Moorish influence may be at play here.  Arches provide openings from one room to another.  The second archway reveals a buttress with adobes stacked at an angle to support the wall.    

The shadows of different elements in the Pecos Church are fascinating.  Below, structural timbers frame the archway. 

Shot from almost any angle, the mass of the church is undeniable.

I would recommend a visit to Pecos National Historical Park to anyone, but particularly to those who live in New Mexico or are visiting Santa Fe.  It is a very short drive and worth the time.  You may also be able to see employees and interns mixing adobe bricks and plaster for continued stabilization.  However, while searching the Park Service site this morning, I was surprised to learn that two days after this photo shoot, the Park had been closed due to the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.  As always in photography, timing is everything, along with luck.  

Thanks, Kara, Wayne, Barbara, Jean & Sam, Marilyn, Catherine, Sandra, Lisa S. and TTT for your kind comments this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

The Cerro Pelado Fire in the Jemez Mountains has also provided plenty of sky drama in the last month.  At 45,605 acres, the firefighters were able to gain more control over the weekend, when winds moderated.  

Except for the pyrocumulonimubus explosions above the fires, commercial airliners fly high above the smoke or around the formations, and contrails or vapor trails can be seen in both the third photograph as well as the one above.

This year reminded me of the two year period of 2011 and 2012 which brought the Pacheco Canyon Fire, the Whitewater Baldy Fire in the Gila National Forest (the largest in our history), and Las Conchas Fire in Los Alamos.  It made me wonder what the amounts of precipitation were in both years.  I distinctly remember seeing and photographing plumes from the Pacheco Canyon Fire, wondering how dire the situation would become. We had ashes on the roof of our house in Taos County, and very windy conditions existed into the middle of July of 2011, when the monsoon season came to the rescue.  We were more than grateful in 2012 when the monsoon began on 12 June with 1.22 inches of moisture, including 3 inches of hail.  Not knowing certainly does not prevent one from hoping there will be a vigorous monsoon season this year.  And a black-chinned hummingbird hovered at our sliding glass door this morning.  A good omen?  How do those .50/ounce to 1.5 ounce bundles of energy survive the wind and smoke?  

hummer black chinned

Many thanks to all of you for reading, and to TTT, Barbara, M. Fred, Steve, Pauli, Phyllis, Catherine, Lisa, Wayne, and Char for commenting last week.  Wherever you are this week, may your explorations feed your minds and your hearts!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The Little Lanterns and Origami Red and White remind me of a sea creature like a squid in their bud stages, with the spurs almost propelling the flower forward.

Here is the Origami in bloom.

When purchasing a "pot luck" variety of Columbine, like McKana Giant Hybrids, one never knows what the flower color will be.  This first example falls in the broad coral color category.  The inner flowers are a delicate cream color while the stamens and pistils are bright yellow.  

The next three McKana Giant images show red sepals with a yellow cup formed by what are termed "blades".  

No blue Columbine flowers yet from the group of five I planted last year.  They are the Aguilegia caerules, which also happens to be the Colorado state flower.  They can be seen along streams in the mountains of northern New Mexico as well.  
 

Thank you Suz, Steve, Catherine, Ingrid, Greg C., Barbara, and Lawrence for commenting this week.  I hope you are enjoying nature in whatever season you find yourself!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

As anyone who falls into the category of spouses and other family members as well as friends of photographers, you learn fairly quickly that if you are with a photographer, especially one with a camera in hand, you are no longer safe from being dragged into a potential photo shoot.  You will be waiting.  And this is what happened yesterday.  Is that music?  Up to the office window, and what do I see but bagpipers in the cemetery parking lot - tuning up and preparing for what was a sizable event attended by many members of the Española Police Department.  I really wanted to photograph the pipers.  Really, REALLY needed to do it, so brunch guests or not, it was off to Rivera Memorial Gardens.  After watching the pipers and drummer a bit, with fascination and some hesitation, I finally made my move and asked if they would allow me to photograph them.  They were very kind and willing as they were tuning their instruments.  Trying to always be prepared, I had brought business cards with me and passed them out.  They walked away from the Kiva Chapel so they could tune without disturbing the service in progress.  I followed, and began to make images as they tuned. It was interesting to hear them talk about music in general, and proceed to tune the reeds.  Things had dried between the time the pipers arrived and the time they would be playing.  I did not know that Great Highland bagpipes have three drones within which wooden reeds are housed - one bass and two tenors.  The chanter, which also contains a reed, is used to play the melody.  The piece into which the piper blows is comprised of a mouthpiece, blowpipe, and blowpipe stock.  

It shouldn't have surprised me, but it did, to hear them working on the scales as part of their preparation, as other concert musicians do.  Here is Greg Cheyne and his pipes, and another member of the group tuning one of the pipes in the lower right hand corner of the image.  James Lamb, Pipe Major, is also shown with his pipes in the second photograph.  The chanter has holes in it, like a penny whistle, that are covered or uncovered with the fingers to play the melody.       

Fred Hawkins with his snare drum, methodically provides solemn percussion.

In this environmental portrait, both the pipes and Cheyne share the spotlight.

Brandon Davis, Pipe Corporal, his uniform, and pipes

A sporan which serves as a pocket, pouch, or purse, is worn with a kilt.  The kilt plaid is called "American Heritage".

No pipers outfit would be complete without a sgian dubh (roughly pronounced skeen doo) or dirk, which is a Highland dress knife, worn in the sock.  It must have come in handy walking the moors and highlands of Scotland.

In perfect order, walking back to the Kiva Chapel. 

Thanks to the New Mexico Fire and Police Pipes and Drums members Fred Hawkins, Brandon Davis, Greg Cheyne, and James Lamb for their willingness to be interrupted by a photographer.  They play music for events statewide and beyond.  Since the organization conducts services for fire, police, and military members around the state at no cost, donations help with travel and equipment costs.  To donate or for more information, check out their website.

https://www.nmfireandice.org
 

My thanks as well to Barbara F. R., Jean & Same, TP Lue, Steve, Ingrid, Ann A., Sandra B., TTT for commenting on this week's blog, and to And to Ingrid, Robert, and Fred for having part of their day occupied by photography.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

A neighbor's apple tree, complete with soft pint and peach-colored buds.

When I walked into a grouping of three trees in an open space, I noticed a din and originally thought it was traffic noise.  But tuning my ears, I realized the trees were full of bees and the sound they were making was fascinating.  With that many blooms to be worked, I knew there would be a photo bomb or two, as happened in the image below.  

This apple tree has gnarled and peeled bark, with an envelope area where a limb had been cut at some point.  It made for a story-book composition.   

I can see using this very soft focus image as a backdrop or illustration for a future wedding book.

The blue sky filled the spaces between the flowers, branches, and leaves below, adding to the color palette.

I am lucky enough to have a view of this tree from the office and it has offered a blast of fuchsia color for over a week.  It is always amazing that the blooms seem to stay attached, regardless of the 30-60 mile per hour winds that have been with us for what seems like the whole of April.

Finally, today's botany lesson.  The tree shown below is almost at the end of its bloom cycle, with the yellow anthers and white filaments, no longer surrounded by petals.  Anthers and filaments make up the stamen or male part of the flower.  To me, the design rendered by the stamens shows how much is involved in the natural world. 

I hope that this final week of April 2022 is full of wonders and photographic adventures for all of you.  Thanks to Lisa, Barbara F. R., Lawrence, Victoria, Ingrid, Steve, Kay, Heather, TTT, Jean & Sam, Wayne, Catherine, and Earle for commenting on last week's blog.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

Rug 347 has a bit of a flying carpet look laying on the slab of sandstone, and in the second image beneath the massive, contorted and beautiful wall.

Since it is woven in the style of a Navajo Chief's Blanket, it seemed appropriate to demonstrate how it might be worn.

To me, Rug 344 is quite western, if there is such a thing, with geometric elements representing mesas and the reflected sky. It was not until we rolled it onto the sandstone that I realized one of the colors very nearly matched the rock.

​​​​​

Below is Fred's woven panel stitched to a jean's jacket.

Rug 344, 347, and the jacket panel are woven of 100% Navajo-Churro wool, both warp and weft.  Thanks to Connie Taylor for bringing awareness to and helping Navajo-Churro sheep thrive, and for dying the wool that Fred has used to weave since his first piece, made in 2003.  Thanks to Fred for his patience with this photographer, and to Barbara F. R., Lisa, Jean & Sam, Ingrid, Connie, Claudia, Louise & Jim, Marilyn, and Steve for commenting last week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

Our trip this week just included exploration of the Sandstone Bluff area, because it was also a test of the real-time range of our electric Chevy Bolt. Going to La Ventanna Arch might have exceeded our range, for returning to Santa Fe without stopping to charge.  But we enjoyed walking all over the rock, exploring the folds and colors of the sandstone.  Although some formations had calved or lost pieces, much was the same.  

The sandstone is a brilliant counterpoint to the lava, and the colors are so intense that on a sunny day, which it was, it feels like it is burning your retinas!

The oranges, rust, ochre, pink, and red are stunning.

While I was desperately hoping that some of the tinajas, or stone basins, would be holding water, not a drop was to be found.  Just grains of sand and gravel. Junipers hang on for dear life.

Although the wind was howling and I was practically eating my hair while shooting, we found a protected area to do a product shoot with several of Fred and his rugs.  Those photographs will be featured next week.  

Thanks to Jean and Sam, Barbara F. R., Jim W., Lisa S., Marilyn, Christina, Steve, and Char for commenting this week!  I hope each of you is able to explore the wealth of spring blossoms, despite the windy days.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Daffodils 2022 3    

Daffodils 2022 1

This particular variety named "Ice Follies" comes complete with a bright yellow cup and white petals.

Daffodils 2022 2

As is sometimes the case, the back with its sheath from which the daffodil emerges, is just an interesting as the front of the flower itself.

Daffodils 2022 4

The sheath also makes an interesting part of a  black and white study.

Daffodils 2022 6

A flower shoot is incomplete for me until I get down and dirty to get the intimate details.  I looked like a turtle that ended up on its back while photographing these.

Daffodils 2022 5

Dianne, Lisa, Ingrid, Debbie S., Steve, Catherine, Barbara F. R., Wayne, and Victoria were kind enough to comment this week.

My thanks for all of you! 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image ©

Although rocks like these don't hold the color that roses do, they complement the different colors of roses below in fascinating ways. 

Thanks to Dianne, Donna C., Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Victoria, TTT, Connie, Ann A., Steve, Bill & Sue, Wayne, and Diane for kind comments this week, and to Ingrid and Robert for providing the inspiration!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

Although my tendency is to try to second guess what judges may like, in a couple of categories I threw caution to the wind, as it were, because second guessing is nearly impossible.

The categories are:  Portrait, Wedding Day, Commercial/Editorial, Shot on Film, Group Portrait, Aerial Wedding, Creative Lighting, and Album Cover.  I entered the first five categories.  Only one photograph per category was allowed.

Since nearly every photograph I make - from people to animals to plants to landscapes - are portraits, I could have gone in any direction.  But I chose people. Trying to offer a combination of spontaneous, classic portraiture and the choice of black and white or color made it challenging.  I like the two images of Travis below.

The image of "Zorba" at the door of his restaurant on Crete is a study in spontaneity.  

But this photo of Jessica is evocative on several levels, so I chose it for the "Portrait" category.

Jessica

One of the group photos from Kara and Eero's wedding combined both formality and fun, so it seemed like a good entry for the "Wedding Day" category.

I was choosing between Ashley and Buf for the "Commercial/Editorial" category.

Buf is very photogenic and a terrific black and white subject,  but he was making something rather than advertising something, so I went with Ashley, modeling work at Taos Fiber Arts.

The next category "Shot on Film" took me back to a photograph I made with a Mamiya 1 3/4 x 2 1/4 format camera.  It was my first foray into any format camera larger than 35 mm, and it was before I began using Ilford HP 400 film, which I used for all my later portraits prior to digital photography.  This image was shot using Kodak Plus X Pan.  It was developed using the Sprint Developer offered at the Santa Fe Community College dark room.   Being a filmmaker himself, Walter Chappell was a compelling subject.

There were many possible entrants for the "Group Portrait" category.  The suggestion for the category was "we want to see those pre-COVID (or masked and vaxxed) group portraits featuring two or more subjects".  I have always been fond of this photograph of Paloma and Fred dancing at a Taos restaurant.   

But the word "subject" in the challenge instructions was the key.  It didn't say people.  I would love to see the reaction to my "Group Portrait" entry - good, bad, or dumfounded.  At least it might make someone smile.

Thanks to Victoria, Ann M., Barbara F. R., Paule, Jean & Sam, Steve, Catherine and Ingrid for commenting this week.  To hear from so many who were born before or during World War II, or had family members deeply involved was enlightening.  In the same vein, many stories are already emerging from Ukraine and Russia, as well as numerous bordering countries.  Nice to see Arnold Schwarzenegger's Twitter post, primarily addressed to the Russian and Ukrainian people in such a beautiful and respectful way this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

And then my mind goes to the countries my sister and I visited in 2014 that are receiving refugees.  Hungary, Slovakia, even Germany, and wonder how both the refugees and the citizenry of those countries are doing.  A military base in Ukraine only eleven miles from the Polish border was attacked on Sunday.  That, alone, holds wretched ramifications.  There are many people in the whole of Europe who remember personally or have heard from relatives and friends how life was during World War II. None of them want to repeat those days and are nervous about what else Russia has in mind.  Today's blog celebrates, in photographs, some regular people in these countries doing what they do, with the hope that they will be able to return to some semblance of normalcy soon.  And once again, have a place to call home.

In Budapest, Hungary local police do their jobs before a football match between a Hungarian team and an Irish team.

A street musician near the center of Budapest

Moving on to Bratislava, Slovakia, a shopkeeper at Folk Folk

Bratislava has a vibrant music scene and September is one of the biggest months for music in and around the city.  Try as I might to find the event to which these people were attached, I could not.   But energy, color, and much percussion abounded.

A driver was ready to take tourists around the area.

As a counterpoint to the drumming and dancing, a harpist played just around the corner.  

A tightrope walker on a rainy, grey day in Regensburg, Germany,  finishes this sequence.

My thoughts are with all who are without a home in these unsettled times.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Our modern electrical systems evolved thanks to the discovery and development of what is called direct current or DC power, and alternating current or AC power.  I don't pretend to have much comprehension of either, but having lived off-grid with a photovoltaic system for twenty years, I have learned a few things.  Since my intellectual capacity leans more toward memorization than technical understanding, I know the wattage of just about every appliance in the house.  How they work?  Well, bits and pieces take hold from time to time.  One is that DC energy or direct current is a one directional flow of electrical current.  We use many things in our daily lives that are powered by DC including cell phones, laptops, flashlights, and any kind of tool or implement that uses a battery.  AC or alternating current is what we use when we turn on a light or an appliance in our homes.  It literally alternates or, according to Wikipedia "reverses direction and changes its magnitude continually..."  

During the 1800s, numerous inventors were working on these strategies for energy production and communication, including Guglielmo Marconi, Alessandro Volta (his battery was the Voltaic pile), French physicist Andre' Marie-Ampere, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison, to name a few. Two ironies emerged from the competition for electrical transmission in the United States between Tesla and Edison.  Ultimately, the nod for what we now call "the grid" , was given to Tesla who promoted AC.  However, the Tesla automobiles are based on DC energy, intersecting with and changed into AC to run Nikola Tesla's AC brushless induction motor.  Although Thomas Edison helped develop and promote DC energy, many of the power companies in this country are named after Edison, despite the fact that they use AC.

And what does all this have to do with me and photography?  Not a whole lot, except that I photographed the technicians and equipment from Positive Energy Solar as they installed two Tesla  Powerwalls this week in our garage.  Because of that delicate intersection between DC and AC, the process was actually more complicated and took longer than the original installation of the solar panels on the roof.  But the completed process would fulfill our plan to have a backup system in the event of an extended power outage in the area.

To begin the job, organization is the key, as the photograph below demonstrates.  

The first day was spent installing new circuit breaker and shut off boxes, both in the garage and outside, in preparation for DC and AC joining together.

On Day Two, the Powerwalls made their debut.

Powerwalls are two rather hefty solid state batteries, a variation of the types of batteries used in electric automobiles.  At 300 pounds a piece, a dolly and muscle was required to maneuver them into place.  The Powerwalls are made to fit together front to back, taking less space wherever they are installed.

It takes teamwork to do a great job, and they did!

It was like Christmas morning having these beauties installed and being able to read real-time energy production, use, and savings courtesy of an app.  One of the other bells and whistles are these Steam Punk green lights that pulsate when the batteries are charing. Probably a frivolity but we definitely get a giggle out of watching the lights.

Thanks for your indulgence as I tried to put into words and photographs a small example of the intersection of DC and AC.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I saw elements of the work in the refracted light through the glass.

The position of the glass in relation to the overhead lights created a different "rose" in each image.

Using a slightly different shape of glass produced more of a flower base than unfolding rose.

The flares shown in the next two images are at such an angle that rainbow colors appear.  I also put water in the bowl of the glass, which impacted the outcome. 

Three lights, three flares

Thanks to M. Fred, Barbara, Christina, Geula, Lawrence, TTT, Luella, Jean & Sam, Wayne, Ingrid, and Steve for commenting this week as we enter the month of March with its feel of spring.  I hope you are able to explore all of it this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Weight and balance is essential in many sports and it reminded me of what Fred does for five to six hours every day at the loom.  In a way, he is doing his own sport, shifting weight from one treadle to the other.  For him and all weavers, the weather is not the variable but the wool with which he weaves. Depending on the quality of the warp and spin of the weft, he has to make adjustments. In the spirit of the games, here is the weaving game. Notice the impeccable equipment, the loom with a few extra bolts and the sandbags as ballast.  He is shifting his weight between the treadles as he throws the shuttle.
 

And the weight changes continue.

Here is a detail of Fred's new arts and crafts style rug, in what is known as the Glasgow Style.  Charles Rennie Mackintosh was among the designers, architects, and artists in the Glasgow School movement.  

Rug 363 detail.jpg

As I mentioned earlier, when a material like four-ply warp becomes one or two ply in spots, the weaver has to catch that and compensate, so there are no breaks in the body of the rug.  Sometimes, instead of doing rugs that are 60+ inches in length, he makes square rugs, like Rug 362, shown below.

Or he gets creative and weaves something totally new, like the bags or bolsas here. He wove two designs side by side.  They are all eleven inches high.  The two on the left are 11" x 7".  The two on the right are 11" x  9".  They are handwoven, hand-knotted, and hand cabled with no lining or clasps, and are open at the top.  All of his work is 100% Navajo-Churro wool, both warp and weft.    

Bolsas 1, 2, 3, 4

Fred's feet continue to shift from treadle to treadle as the weaving olympics continue.

Thanks to Barbara, Victoria, Dianne, Wayne, Ann A., Orlando, Lisa, TTT, Steve, and Ingrid for commenting this week.  

Feliz Cumpleaños, M. Fred and Diane!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Roses - August 2021 - 5

Even in rain or after drying, they demonstrate profound strength and a sometimes difficult to identify sterling character.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you, complete with abundant joy and beauty!

Special thanks to Barbara, Connie, Luella, Wayne, Charlie (love the haiku), Jean and Sam, Dianne, Pauli, Steve, Ingrid, Catherine, and Marta for commenting this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

One of the more notable features of the area is La Ventana Arch.  I could spend a great deal of time photographing every detail of the arch.  The shot below is a bit of an illusion, as the arch is in the foreground and blends into other formations behind it. 

Holes and possible future arches can be found on both sides of the arch.  As the sandstone weathers, holes are created while other areas are varnished and smoothed.

The vertical wall on another side of the arch shows spectacular shades of desert varnish on the stone.  

El Malpais National Monument is roughly 72 miles west of Albuquerque off of Interstate 40 near Grants.  All trails are open but the visitor center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the caves on the west side of the monument are closed for a long deserved rest (the National Park Service calls it "resource protection and public safety").  

Thanks to Lucia, Kay, Barbara, Victoria, Ingrid, Larry & Donna, Wayne, Christina, Steve, and Jean & Sam for commenting this week.  

Birthday wishes to Sue P., Luella, Barbara O., M. Fred, and Diane D., and Happy Anniversary to Gigi and JJ, and Susie and Bogie, all celebrating during the month of February.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Most of the clouds forming were of the cirrus variety in the higher atmosphere.  All I knew is that they were on the move and I had to grab my camera to catch them as they moved from the eastern sky, tracking across the north to the west and then south.  Nearly every variety of cirrus clouds was on display.  

Although the color of blue skies and feathery clouds framed by the building walls is brilliant, I liked the idea of taking one image to black and white.

Once again, I felt compelled to use the sky as backdrop for the second bloom stalk of the amaryllis.

cloud and amaryllis 1 2022.jpg

cloud image and amaryllis 3 2022.jpg

After the wind, it did eventually snow.  Six inches in some parts of Santa Fe.  Our total was 2-4 inches,  measuring .21 in liquid after it was melted.   Here is a shot of the entire bloom stalked against snow, with blue tinges on the right side and pinkish on the upper left where the sun was beginning to reflect off the stucco wall.

I hope the skies wherever you are allow for some fascinating watching and photographic experimentation for you this week!  Thanks to Barbara, Char, Lisa, Paule, Wayne, Sandra, Pauli, Christina, Barbara O., Steve, Jean and Sam, Catherine, Veronica, and Dianne for getting in touch this week.  And Happy Birthday, Connie!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Although not on the traditional menu for a Burns Dinner, shortbread and tea would be a tasty but light afternoon repast before the big evening, and that is what we will be having, thanks to Fred's sister, who makes the finest shortbread this side of Edinburgh, with plenty of real butter.  Notice the fork piercings in each log of shortbread, a traditional marking.   

No Burns celebration would be complete without a reading from the works of the poet.  The book shown below, a bit worse for wear, was published in 1883, and has graced many tables and shelves before making its way to our humble abode.  We have Fred's Gran - otherwise known as Margaret Bryce Borthwick Low Rockingham Bell - to thank for the book.  One of these two cups also came from Gran as an engagement gift fifty years ago.  The other was a wedding gift from one of his aunts.  Both were believers in the tradition of shortbread and tea in bone china tea cups.  

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

     Chorus: 
For auld lang syne, my dear,
     For auld lang syne.
     We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
     For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

     Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
Sin' auld lang syne.

     Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

     Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

     Chorus

Thanks to Barbara, Christina, Jean and Sam, Wayne, Sara, Lisa, Steve, and Dianne for your wonderful and meaty comments this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The outsides of cabbages are a little like a fine fabric that has pleats and folds pressed into it, radiating from the bottom along the center line all the way to the top.

The sheen or patina on this red cabbage just seems to glow in the light.

And the tightness of individual layers are pure design wonder, a little like the rocks on which this cross-section sits.  

Onions - whether wild or cultivated - say "botanical" to me - with or without flowers.

Nothing like that windswept look from a vegetable.

Photographic subjects can be found anywhere, near or far, and I trust that many of you will find your own subjects this week. 

Have fun!

Thanks to Jean and Sam, Kay, Barbara, Catherine, Ann A., Steve, Connie, and Ingrid for commenting on last week's blog!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

A bit of history is necessary here.  Thanks to the intrepid and peripatetic Portuguese, a big, brash winter blues-bashing flower appeared on the scene in Europe, possibly as early as the 16th century.  The amaryllis, native to South Africa, with its varied colors and patterns, became wildly popular, was hybridized and tweaked, and went on to brighten homes in Europe and the wider world.  Appropriately, the name amaryllis is from the Greek "amarysso" which means "to sparkle".  A great many names are attached to it, including Christmas Lily, March Lily, Madonna Lily, and St. Joseph's Staff.

After the first bud of our amaryllis opened some five days ago, my camera was in hand, right through the unfurling of the fourth bud.  Each day, I would put the pot in assorted and different pools of natural light - both inside and outside the house - during different times of day and with different back grounds.  Here is a sampling of the 100+ photographs I shot over the week.  The computer mouse was a little worse for wear, as it gathered flour, bread dough, and dirt remnants on it between shoots.  Here is a shot of the first flower to open. 

Flowers - amaryllis 5 2022  

The throats and backs of the flowers have their own beauty,  as shown in the photographs below.

Flowers - amaryllis 10 2022

Flowers - amaryllis 16 2022

In this shot, I held a flashlight to bring added light to the interior of the bloom.

Flowers - amaryllis 11 2022

A second bud is ready to open in this botanical.

Flowers - amaryllis 4 2022

There were two flowers open at this point, but I focused on one in order to give "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt, room to breathe.

Afternoon light saturated the colors of the amaryllis in its full glory.

Thanks to Ingrid and Robert, and to Barbara, Christina, Lisa, TTT, Sara, Wayne, Jean and Sam, Steve, Catherine, and Dianne for contributing to my blogs!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The patterns and layers created by snowflakes crashing into and plastering stucco walls never ceases to fascinate me.

The same is true of the way it coats aspen trunks.

Fingers of ice create still life.

Water falling from canales creates baubles and bubbles on anything it encounters in temperatures like the 7° low this morning.

Even at the end of the day, dregs from the canale remain firmly attached to the tree like an ice sculpture.

Happy Birthday to all the January babies - Elizabeth H., Anne O'K, Larry J.  Mary P. K., Orlando T., Richard S., Karen L., and Connie T., and anniversary wishes to Jim and Louise.  And many thanks to all of you who added comments to the closing blog of 2021 including Victoria, Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, TTT, Ingrid, Wayne, Ann A., Phyllis M., Jim and Louise, Steve, Donna C., Christina, Lisa, Catherine, and Charlie.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

An incredible amount of information has been gleaned by scientists, epidemiologists, and doctors from the two years of COVID, and for that, I am grateful.  There is still much to be discovered not only about the virus and its variants but about our world and human behavior.  It is a time to look back on the year and jog our memories.  For artists and photographers, it is an excellent time to take stock of the work we have done, and ponder why and how we did it, and curate our collections.  In that light, I have selected some photographs that gave me and still give me joy on some level, either through the subject matter or the process or both.  

January brought a dusting of snow and a feather to use for a still life.

In February, Fred began work on entering the Selvedge Magazine World Fair, and we did a photo shoot for that in March.  One of the sample photographs was of the appliqué he wove and attached to the back of a vest.

I liked the range of color and light in this image.  

The simple and complex beauty of a single flowering fruit tree branch against a stuccoed wall has given me joy since I downloaded it into the computer.

There is nothing like a spring wedding to bring out the creative juices in me.

Summer brought the curve billed thrashers back to their favorite cholla cactus for nesting.  First came the eggs...

...followed by the total chaos of nesting chicks.  Pure fun to watch.

The paintbrush on the prairie north of Las Vegas gave quite the show in July.

And autumn of 2021 was splendid.  Regardless of tone or intensity of color, the aspen tugged at my heartstrings.

Thanks to Christina, TTT, Wayne, Connie, Catherine, Lisa, Orlando, Barbara, Jean & Sam, Steve, Dianne, Victoria, Geula, and Lena for commenting this week, and to everyone who follows my blog!  May 2022 bring new spirit, life, and joy to all of you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I can't say I ever took note of my shadow at noon on the solstice, but here is the closest thing.  Never have I felt so tall!

In attempt to do some interesting shadow work for the solstice, I used wine and champagne bottles.  They obviously are different colors of glass that make very interesting designs in the noon sun.

A group of bottles and their effects.

Straight from New Mexico, this Gruet bottle was very obviously a deeper green that the others, and the thicker glass created fascinating designs.

By adding more light to the shadow areas, the deep green shifted to a light shade.

Turned on its side, the bottle takes on a different character.

Happy Birthday to the near-solstice birthday folks - Lena (who actually celebrates today) and Dave (who actually celebrates the solstice), and may all of you celebrate the change in your own way.

My wishes to you are for safe, healthy, and happy holidays, wherever this week finds you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

We would not necessarily have discovered this last week, except for a normal procedure we do when showering.  To conserve water, we fill a bucket with water before the water actually coming out of the shower head is warm enough so I don't scream when I get in.  After showering, we take the bucket outside and let it sit overnight to eliminate the chlorine, making it better for plants.  Conditions were perfect for still life photography.  It really could not have been much better.

Still life details abound here and I suspect there are many more waiting to be discovered.  The scallop at the center base is fascinating.  An atmsopheric scientist could probably explain why it happened, but to me, it was one of the many design points in the ice container.  Additional light was provided by the on-camera flash. 

The thinner part of the ice in the upper right hand corner and the tiny fissure leading to the fingers below it create a natural abstract.

The outside of the ice bowl in this shot had cracks that looked like lightning strikes.

The image below holds all sorts of things that occurred as the water froze during the cold night, including frozen bubbles, ice fingers, and granules.

May this week before the winter solstice provide you with many weird and wonderful things to ponder and photograph.  Thanks to Elida, Barbara, Dianne, Wayne, Jean & Sam, Terry T., Lisa, Marilyn, Charlie K. G., and Pauli for commenting on last week's blog. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

Another Parry's agave in lower light, muting the color.

The tops of the leaves have pencil-like points that are sharp enough to serve as needles.

It is tough for a photographer like me not to show the agave in black and white, despite my love for verdigris.

Although the delicately porcelain bowl is technically celadon, the color leans more toward verdigris.

Thanks to Marta, Terry T., Barbara, Jean & Sam, Ingrid, Wayne, Claudia, and Steve for commenting this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Although I frequently feel like I am channeling the enthusiasm of Julia Child while making these, flinging ingredients around the kitchen, the results are worth the effort.

I let the balls "age" for a month or so before putting them in individual containers.  The fragrance is heady.  Naturally, one must taste the resulting product.

Another element of comfort happened this week.  For the first time in a month, it rained here.  A quarter of an inch fell and it was an unexpected gift.  Most of the rain fell throughout the night and in the morning until about 11 a.m., enabling moisture to soak into the ground.  Sheer comfort for everything in the natural world, including the roses, wearing the beads of water with joy.  It almost looks as if there was a wee bit of ice on this rose.

To have a bud at this time of year, as catchment device for moisture, is a wonderful thing.

I hope each of you were able to celebrate this week.  Thanks to Kay, Barbara F. R., Diane, Victoria, Geula, Marilyn, Pauli, TTT, Ann, Wayne, Steve, and Ingrid for leaving your thoughts about the blog - toast, al carbón or not!  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

My thanks this week to Barbara F. R., TTT, Lisa, Terry T., Pauli, Jean & Sam, Catherine, Christina, Steve, and Wayne.  I am thankful for all who are so steadfast in reading my blog every Monday, for simple food, conversation, a roof over my head, laughter and love, Fred, friends and family, and Planet Earth.  Each precious and essential.  I hope your Thanksgiving week is filled with everything you need!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Native American corn is particularly stunning, given the wide range of colors.

The rhythm of the kernels is tough to beat.

Corn offers photographers quite stunning black and white options.  Because of the reflective power of the kernels, the above photograph translates well into black and white.

I call these ears suitable for any backdrop.

Marilyn, Terry T., Dianne, Jean & Sam, Ross, Ingrid, Steve, Catherine, and Wayne checked in this week after reading the blog.  Many thanks to you and everyone who reads it.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Each leaf has its own distinct character and spirit, a present to those who search its notches and veins.  From a flowering fruit tree of an "unknown to me" species, this specimen looks like it is on fire.

Catching the last light of day, another leaf from a different flowering fruit tree, has a velvet softness to show off its saturated color.

From the same tree as the first, the leaf below is hanging on to the tree before falling and joining the gathering below it.

Finally, a side spray of barberry, full of different spirits.

As we move forward in November, there are numerous opportunities for photography, and I hope they will present themselves to you this week.  Thanks to Victoria, TTT, Terry, Lisa, Jean and Sam, Barbara, Jim and Louise, and Dianne for your comments this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

On 4 November of last year, our solar system installed by Positive Energy Solar came online.  There has been nearly a year of electrical production and collection by the system, and I wanted to present an update.  Sixteen solar or photovoltaic panels are on the roof, absorbing the sun's rays and turning it into energy, with their accompanying wires and mini-inverters on each panel.  It was quite the production, worthy of Broadway, when the panels and electrical boxes were mounted all during one August day, and three months later when the switch was literally flipped, the electrical meter began its journey backward.  The system generated 22 kilowatt hours (kWh), that first day.  Throughout the year, we discovered it varied day to day, depending on the outside temperature and sunshine, from a low of 6 kWh on a totally cloudy day to a high of 42 on a bright high summer day.  Here is a shot of one of the technicians holding a panel on its way to its place on the roof. 

A bit of geek stats here.  29% of electricity produced by the system runs the house and charges the electric car.  59% goes to offset the natural gas we use for heating, hot water heat, and cooking.  The last 12% offsets the carbon footprint of the food we eat and other miscellany.  Determining carbon footprint is a little tricky, as everything humans do and use is considered part of the total footprint - food production, clothing, internet usage, banking, etc. Even a person's diet - vegetarian, paleo, or omnivore - is part of his or her footprint.  It is complicated!  But given that the COP26 (Conference of the Parties) in Glasgow began this year on 31 October and runs through the 12 of November, it seems appropriate to feature alternative energy here.

One of the engineers at Positive Energy Solar created the layout and design of the panels to maximize energy production, keeping them out of the shadow of pipes and mechanical systems, as well as chimneys.  They originally indicated the system would probably produce about 9,600 kilowatt hours over the year and they were pretty darned close.  We figure that by the 4th, the system will have produced about 9,550 kilowatt hours. Literally, they have this down to a fine science.    

A shot of the nearly completed set of six panels on the garage roof.  The other ten panels are on the second story roof.

The completed array.

I loved this guy.  A real professional wire and conduit wrangler.

The electrician put on the final touches, linking the system to the old electrical meter on the house and installing new ones to accommodate the additional energy.

I am hoping that the infrastructure package being debated in Congress now will provide the basis for more home, government, and commercial systems, featuring solar and wind energy.

Thanks to Lisa, Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Marta, Marilyn, Steve, Dianne, Kay C., and Wayne for commenting this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

As usual, the amount of food available at the Market is always astounding, and the vegetables, oh my.  How delicious and photogenic they always are.  Today's blog wraps up the harvest season before the snow flies, with a riot of color from the produce department.  To set the scene, here is a shot of the north end of the Farmers' Market at the Railyard.

butternut squash 

lovely Peruvian potatoes

beautiful blue, perhaps, Hopi corn

radishes and their wild roots

Napa cabbage

A farmers' market in New Mexico would not be complete without chile.

Thanks for your patience last week while I was trying to get my blog out via email rather than Zenfolio.  The blog is now in Zenfolio if you want to take a look at it that way.  Lisa, Jean & Sam, Wayne, Terry T., Ann A., Barbara F. R., Jim & Louise, Connie, Lucia, and Steve and Peggy commented despite the glitches and I thank you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Farmers' markets are brimming with color, tastes, and smells.  One of the great fragrances is the winesap apple, with its crisp texture and tartness. They are photogenic wherever they are staged.  Here is a grouping in dry ash leaves.  

Almost burnished in character, winesaps exude warmth amidst chill.

The joy of a simple pumpkin cannot be overstated.  it definitely brings out the child in me.

It takes a real artist to put together a table like Team Upton can, as demonstrated by the Caprese salad below.

One of the ultimate reflections of harvest is wine in a glass.  The one below was full of design from the base and stem to the bowl. 

A final harvest shot, an ear of corn rendered in black and white.

corn images-3

Thanks to Ingrid and Robert, Jean and Sam, Lisa, Wayne, Terry T., Ann A., Barbara F. R., Jim and Louise, Connie, and Steve and Peggy for your wonderful and thought-provoking comments this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Hiking along the trail, with slabs of grey-black granite and dappled light, there were surprises everywhere, including a branch that had broken off with its leaves intact.

In areas where the conifers opened up and aspens shot through, pieces of clouds provided a gentle backdrop in the saturated blue sky. 

I was beginning to discover how satisfying horizontal shots of aspen can be.

Aspen trunks are extraordinary.  Some are almost a blue white.

 Others, like the one in the middle of the image below, carry a very light greenish yellow to them, with a patina that works its way into your being.

When the gold and red in the trees shine in the afternoon light, it is the topping on the cake of a perfect autumn day!

Thanks to Fernando, Debbie R., Barbara, Donna K., Lisa, Steve, Donna C., Wayne, Barbara D., and M. Fred for comments of the autumnal sort this week!  I hope you are able to get out and enjoy some photography or just walk during these rare days on your breaks from work and the business of life.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In the northern locales of New Mexico, scrub oak trees seem to be changing first this year. The images below were shot near Chama.

Mere hints of yellow reveal themselves in the foreground of the Brazos Cliffs.

New world harvest in old world basket from Zimbabwe

Thanks to Tami, TTT, Barbara, Marilyn, Wayne, Dianne, Lisa, Steve, Nevada, Donna K., Ingrid and those both known and unknown who gave last week's blog a look.  I hope you are able to get out with your phones and cameras this week to capture the autumn evolution!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

My official introduction to Nevada Wier came earlier when I walked up to the driveway where a jumbled pile of camera bags were located.  She loved the shirt I was wearing.  After I told her wear I bought it, etc., I went into the garage to look at what other tools of the photographic trade - paper, matte, back board, tri-pods, cameras, and lenses - were for sale.  But I knew the name Nevada Wier from the times I was drooling over the wonderful workshops offered by The Santa Fe Workshops.  She leads photography tours around the world, has worked extensively for National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Canon Photography Safaris.  So what do I do?  I ask if I can take her photograph.  She may have thought I would take one or two shots.  It is a good thing she didn't know how involved I get in environmental portraiture, especially since she was preparing to leave.

As we walked into a small patio area, Nevada said "Don't ask me not to smile.  I smile a lot."  Fair enough.  Me too.  Then I said something about me not being particularly comfortable having my own photo taken.  To that, she said "Since I am photographing people, I have to be willing to have my own photograph taken."  Good advice I will try to absorb.  

Here are some of the resulting images taken of Nevada on a bench from above, below, and around.  

My thanks to Nevada Wier for allowing me to photograph her on a moment's notice, and using some of the photographs here.  I encourage each of you to tour her website and view her amazing work at nevadawier.com.  Her stunning "Collections" circle the globe in color and her "Fine Art" section, including "Invisible Light" 1 and 2, feature some of the finest selective coloring and modifications I have ever seen.  You can also find information about her photography workshops, lectures, seminars, and photo tours.  

Kudos to Ann Alexander and ASMP for conducting the sale and bringing people together, and Richard Khanlian for his inspiration.

And thanks to Barbara, Lisa, Jean & Sam, Marilyn, Debbie R., TPLue, Claudia, TTT, Steve, Wayne, and Geula for your comments on last week's blog.   

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@   

 January and February

  adobe wall with snow, Taos County      winter coyote

March and April 

El Malpais National Monument near Grants, New Mexico    claret cup cactus near Arroyo Hondoclaret cup cactus near Arroyo Hondo

May and June

    high country pond    wild iris

July and August

    near-double rainbow in Taos County    Williams Lake on the way to Wheeler Peak

September and October

    purple asters on adobe   round hay bales after high country harvest

November and December

    aspen trees in late autumn sun    paintbrush in snow

As must be the case when publishers choose and assemble images for calendars, some photographs may be "representational" of a season, rather than the reality.

The autumnal equinox is this Wednesday, 22 September, in the northern hemisphere.  I hope you relish the changing seasons wherever you are in the world.  Thanks to Christina, TTT, Barbara, Char, Wayne, Steve, and Jean and Sam for your thoughts this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

I discovered several things.  First, I shoot vertically.  A lot.  Second, instructions for competition entry are not always clear, requiring phone calls amidst the self-doubt about reading instructions properly.  Third, sizing to fit specifications is sometimes dicey, necessitating further consideration of certain photographs.  The first entries had to be horizontal while many of the images I wanted to use were vertical.  The second set had to be vertical while many were actually horizontal.  You get the idea.  Curating is a good idea but, like self-promotion, not always the first thing photographers want to do.  Especially given the beautiful pre-autumn days the likes of which we have been experiencing for several weeks.

Despite the near-perfect photography weather, I hunkered down during the heat of the day and pondered photographs.  The first set had to be black and white.  Included here are some that made the cut.  Typical of me, they are all over the map as far as subject matter is concerned.

glass reflections

narrowleaf cottonwoods

man on phone, Vienna

bridge dancing

exercise rings

Ashley and Gene, Taos Gothic

Given the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the flight that could have been flown into the Capitol but ultimately crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, I highly recommend two documentary films.  The first is 9/11:  The Filmmakers Commemorative Ediition by Jules and Gedeon Naudet.  The two French brothers living in New York City were making a documentary film about a year in the life of a probationary firefighter.  On 11 September 2001, one of the brothers was with the firefighters on a call about a gas leak in the street.  As their instruments were measuring in and around a grate in the street, suddenly, a plane flew very low nearly overhead, and everyone, to a person, looked up.  It was the first plane to hit the Twin Towers.  The rest is history.  The new edition of the film has additional footage, as well as interviews twenty years on.  It is stunning.

As a counterpoint to that and a slice of life of children learning to dance in New York City public schools, Mad Hot Ballroom is almost as uplifting as a documentary can get.  We had watched it years ago, probably when we started learning tango, and I think we enjoyed it more now than we did the first time we viewed it.  The spontaneity of the kids, teachers during the process, and of the parents during the competition is hilarious, poignant, and uplifting.  It is the perfect antidote to the many weights of life.  The film was released in 2005.  Directed and produced by Marilyn Agrelo and written by Amy Sewell.  

The response to last week's blog on the Selvedge Magazine World Fair was impressive with Christina, Jean and Sam, TPLue, Claudia, Barbara F. R., M. Fred, TTT, Charlie, Marilyn, Lawrence, Lisa, Wayne, Steve, Diane, Ann A., Sara, Ingrid, Connie, and Ronnie all commenting.  Many thanks to all of you! 

May cameras and phones accompany you during this mid-September week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In February, Fred applied to participate in the 2021 Selvedge Magazine World Fair.  He was interested in the event not only because of the truly incredible variety, creativity and artisanship of previous participants, but because of the emphasis on sustainability of the many processes.  Since Fred's weaving is now officially "carbon neutral" (thanks to solar panels on the roof producing more energy than we use), and the "ranch and community to artisan" character of the wool itself, he thought the fair would be a good fit for his work.  He was humbled and thrilled to be accepted in late May for the 2021 World Fair online which opened this week.  Since then, the collective "we" have been shooting and putting together photographs and videos for his entry.  

Because the selvedge is so critical in fabric, I wanted to show a few examples of how Fred is able to make his selvedges or edges precise.  First, he creates a "peak" with his fingers, and measures it to maintain proper tension on the weft as shown below on Rug 355, in progress.

The peak here has been measured and the shot of wool is ready to become part of the rug. 

Rug 335 in process toned b&w

As far as photographing the work was concerned. square photographs were required, which needed a bit more thinking since most of Fred's work is at least a third longer in length than in width.  Definitely not square.  We used part of the traveling frames he uses for shows to get this shot of Rug 347 between courtyard walls, as well as the required portrait below. 

The same rack was also useful as a backdrop for the official photograph to accompany Fred's brief biographical  information.

Rug 328 on adobe wall

Rug 340 showing the selvedges on both sides.  The tops and bottoms of his rug are tied off and ends braided to keep the fabric from unraveling.

A detail of Rug 344, showing a selvedge on the right side.

And where the weaving begins, with sheep and their wool.  This magnificent specimen is Marcos, a Navajo-Churro ram.

I highly recommend taking a world tour of fiber in myriad forms by clicking on the link to all the 100 artisans featured in this year's world fair.  Fred's work is included and linked at the bottom of page 3.  It is a lot but worth it when and if you have some spare time.

https://www.selvedge.org/collections/all-artisans-2021

Also, the Selvedge opening video is beautifully done.

https://vimeo.com/580289952

On this Labor Day, 2021, I must thank all who, by raising and shearing sheep, and carding, spinning, and dying the wool Fred uses for their part in the process.  And huge thanks to all who have labored through pandemic, fires, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes for the greater good.  Thanks to Christina, Connie, Jean & Sam, TTT, Victoria, Louise, Steve, Susie, Wayne and Barbara for your comments this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In the image below, the stucco does the opposite, serving as a backdrop for the sky and clouds.

A crucial element in adobe style buildings is the canale for water diversion from flat roofs, which here seems to be pointing to the clouds.

A red awning add-on to a plaster wall gives it a real kick.

The possibilities are endless for how walls come together and frame other elements, such as the Russian olive in the photograph here.

Finally, plaster with shadows act as a backdrop for a copper water dish.

Great to hear from Lucia, Terry T., Jean and Sam, Barbara F. R., Steve, Lisa, Wayne, TTT, and Ingrid this week!  I hope the last week in August offers much hope, inspiration, and rain for parts of the world in need.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Then I took my "thrifty photographer" backdrop outside to an area that renders near-three point light itself, to capture the final, saturated phase of roses.  As always, the idea is to vary the angle or backdrop enough to make the subject more interesting.  Of course, I do look for a traditional "botanical" look as well.

For all photos here, shot with the sheet backdrop, I let the folds become part of the images.

The accordion fold on the right side of the photograph below seems to be parting for the rose closeup.

Finally, rose on glass.

I hope each of you is able to embrace some continuing education this week, regardless of the form it takes!

Thanks to Steve, Jean and Sam, Terry T., Barbara F. R., Susie, and Wayne for contributing to my C. E. this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In their bloom lives, roses vary in color from first blush to the end.  What I would describe as coral is first.  

Toward the end of the petal cycle, the coral fades somewhat to a rich pink. 

The petals fall and blow with wind and rain.

Finally, a shot of dark and lighter fuchsia-colored roses with hydrangeas, gifted to us by a friend. 

Thanks to everyone who commented last week - Connie, Diane D., Marilyn, Orlando, Steve, Wayne, Ingrid, Pauli, Terry T. Geula, and Earle.  It is wonderful to read your words, particularly during these times.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

We are also humbled by elements of nature that survive so well.  Probably every book on weeds will have a section on thistles.  People love them or hate them, or give these survivors little thought.  Part of the aster family, thistles come in assorted sizes and leaf configurations.  With my handy copy of Weeds of the West on the desk, I still cannot identify precisely which species I was seeing, but to me these humble, yet stout plants have their own beauty.  The Scottish thistle is Scotland's national emblem.  I don't think the ones I photographed are of that species.  But I was just after the flowers and here are a few of the resulting images.

Because the flower stalks carry a single flower, they make excellent "botanical" artwork.

That one would be framed by the wood and barbed wire fencing is not totally surprising.

Some large sunflower leaves provide a nice sidebar for this specimen.

The giant of the thistle family, bred for consumption, is the artichoke.  The image below is from the Santa Fe Farmers' Market.

artichoke

My hope is that all of you are safe, well, and find the amazing to enjoy in life in ways that are gentle on the Earth.  I am grateful and humbled by each of you, including Victoria, Char, Jean and Sam, Barbara, Connie, Marilyn, TTT, Debbie R., Steve, Sara, Donna C., Wayne, and Pauli for your comments this week.

until next Monday,

DB 

a passion for the image@

Spent flowers and wool

Simmer, but do not boil, according to instructions.

Wool being prepared to receive the dye by wetting it.  Then it is gently squeezed to remove excess water.

After the flowers have simmered, they are strained.  It all looks a little like pond scum at this point, with mysterious, slimy creatures in it.

A mordant, made from vinegar and nails (for iron), is then added to the dye pot to fix or set the colors.

At this point, we had an idea that the resulting wool color was going to be a variation on a yellow/oatmeal color range, just as the YouTube experts has indicated.  Looks delicious, doesn't it?

This is the skein that went into the dye pot first.  Subsequent skeins had less color available to work with and are lighter.

The final skeins and their gradations will make for interesting blending into a rug with other natural Navajo-Churro wool colors.  We'll keep you posted on that and any further "grand experiments."

Great to hear from Char, Jean and Sam, Barbara, Christina, Wayne, and Steve about last week's blog!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Like Hafnaoui, New Mexico and the southwestern United States had its own haul of gold during the past several weeks in the form of rain. Although flash flooding occurred in places, most of the western half of the nation is suffering from severe and historic drought, and it is thirsty for rain.  Any that falls is pure gold.  It has me and many friends exchanging notes about how much rain fell at any given time and place.  A friend in Arizona keeps updating the total.  First, it was four inches, then it was 5, now it is 6+.  Another friend in the downtown area of Santa Fe had an inch on the same day we had .40/inch here.  On a walk yesterday, we and friends got caught in a downpour and took cover under a portable tent. Another .36/inch.  While other parts of the country might think of those amounts as negligible, it is significant in "The Land of Little Rain" (novel by Mary Hunter Austin).  Rain is a spectator sport.  When it rains, people watch and revel in it.  Here, photographically, are a few stages of a thunderstorm.  Dramatic clouds with great uplift and towers building above 35,000 feet are usually significant, but don't always mean that rain will fall directly on the spot where they originate.

developing tower
 

The sky in these shots looks more ominous and promising.

Storm brewing
 

I spent quite some time trying to get lightning strikes, but, the storm yielded no rain that day.

Luckily, the storm and sun that produced the rainbow here also came with rain.  Those who live in areas with frequent rain deprivation, including farmers and ranchers, have a deep feel for how important this liquid growth hormone is.  And how the senses soak in the smell of the earth after it rains, whether it is in the Sonoran or Chihuahuan deserts, in fields pine forests and grasslands, or on pavement.  It is one of nature's great smells!  

late summer rainbow
 

Thanks, Steve, TPLue, Wayne, Paule, Ingrid, M. Fred, Jean and Sam, Christina, and Connie for commenting last week!

I hope that your week is filled, figuratively, with gold!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

One of the most perfect packages, although delicate, is an egg.  Anyone who has ever cooked knows how delicate the simple, beautiful egg is.  But the shells protect the contents.  And they are ideal photographic subjects.  First, chicken eggs, directly from the grocery store.  By placing them in a glass vase, and shooting with a shallow depth of field, elements of the vase are rendered in abstract.

Eggs as a subject are the entree for an update on the neighborhood curve billed thrashers.  They are at it again.  A second clutch is on its way. Mama is ever diligent in her work and was quite reluctant to let me see the eggs. That orange/golden eye follows everything. 

I had walked by the nest once and saw the eggs.  Naturally, when I returned with my camera, she was having nothing of it.  But after a couple of tries, she left the nest and I was able to grab this image.  These eggs are works of art.

Given my relative lack of height, I returned to the house and brought out a chair on which to stand.  Again, poor Mama had to exit the nest.  But standing on the chair, I was able to photograph all the eggs.  I realized anew why cholla cacti carry the name "jumping cholla".  Elements of the cactus, including the spines seem to jump and attach themselves to anything close enough.  My hands and arms carried quite a few spines, along with the camera lens and strap.  They are nature's original velcro, and fortunately, easy enough to remove.

All sorts of celebrations are happening this month, including the birthdays of Clyde, Sam D., E. J., Marcie M., Dave O., Victoria, Jim W., Gail G., Jennifer W., Kay C., and Steve R., along with the anniversaries of Dalice and Andy, and TTT and Ben.  I hope all of you have wonderful ways to remember the special days!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Unity 22 made a successful suborbital trip to the edge of outer space, taking off into the morning air from, and landing at SpaceSport America between Truth or Consequences and Alamogordo, New Mexico.  When then Governor Bill Richardson and Richard Branson originally conferred on the idea 17 years ago, I (along with many in the state, no doubt) were unable to envision such a thing and the money it would cost to build.  But regardless of whether one feels this was a huge infomercial for Virgin, or views it as another "what's the point?" venture, seeing the Unity take off above the New Mexico landscape was viscerally exciting.  Top that with the praise heaped on the state for taking the plunge into the future of commercial space flight must have produced a true sense of accomplishment for all involved.  This, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with today's blog, except for the fact that I am firmly planted here on earth, grateful for every day.

Chrysanthemums are the stars today.  Using the geography of sandstone and a black crackled pottery plate, I experimented with emphasizing both backdrops.  Looking down from space?

Anything floating on water has always been fascinating to me.  These two shots were made half an hour apart.  The first was in deeper shade.

Thanks to Connie, Dianne, Steve, Jim & Louise, Ingrid, Barbara, Ronnie, Wayne, Char, Jean and Sam, and Steve for writing this week, and to TTT & Ben for providing the inspiration.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@  

Some years ago, I did an entire shoot of fireworks in Taos with my Nikon D80.  Caught at a relatively slow speed without the use of a tripod, the images display a wild and wonderful array of results.  Truly abstract and chaotic but also highly structured.  The two images below are good examples of that.  

I always thought the light turquoise-colored display in the image below looked like a palm tree.

The simplicity of the electric cobalt blue, with off-white accents, shows the pure design that goes into the development of fireworks.

The cobalt blue element is repeated in a mass of other displays, looking more like sea anemones than fireworks, which is what makes them all the more fascinating.

My thanks to Lisa, Paule, TP Lue, Barbara, Wayne, M. Fred, Jean and Sam, Ingrid, and Steve for your comments this week, and for participating in the world of art in your own ways.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Then you begin to see feathers wiggle and the chicks moving.  There is a young one under the warmth of breast feathers.

From the position of the parent in the photograph below, I suspect there is another chick somewhere in the pile being fed.

It is becoming active in the nest, and as the other parent flies over, mouths open.  A lot of motion is apparent in this shot as well as the one below it.

Shall I label these two "Mine"?

A brief moment of quasi-peace between feedings

Wonderful comments came this week from Barbara, Carolyn, Barbara D., Ronnie, Dave, TTT, Charleen, Christina, Steve, Wayne, and Karla.  Thanks so much.  Wherever you are this week, may nature provide good surprises in your lives!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

A simple (and some would think rather mundane) "event" happened mid-week.  A baby crow either fell out or was pushed from a nest.  It was on the ground in the shade of a big piñon tree.  Before half an hour went by, there was a small dish of water.  Then a bigger dish of water appeared.  Then bird seed. Then dog food.  All conveniently located close enough so that the baby could survive and build its strength.  Several kind neighbors felt we should call animal control or the wildlife center in Española.  To a person, they all knew that baby birds should not be touched.  Because we had watched ravens a lot at our home in Taos County, we felt the crow was quite well and fit, and was simply a baby and had not grown its tail feathers or learned how to fly.  It had just fallen from a nest.  What could we expect from that jolting experience?

By the end of the first day, it was hopping around, and ended up on top of a decorative ladder during the night.  But during the next several days, we saw a true and clear example of the African expression or proverb "It takes a village."  As the chick developed, no less than four adult crows and sometimes one magpie that hangs around with the crows, were looking after it, and feeding it.  One of the neighbors said "Oh, I hope it is alright.  I saw its little mouth and it looked like it was bleeding."  Aha!  Sure sign of a chick of any bird species.  The mouths are red so parents and caretakers know where to stuff the food. The photograph below is of a raven chick's food receptacle.  As with all healthy babies, it is almost constantly open and ready to receive the next snack.

Another tell is the blue eyes members of the Corvid family have as youngsters.

Ample downy feathers are also apparent on their heads and neck areas.

The feathers have a lovely patina to them, but you can see here that the tail feathers have not quite gained their full length.

And just for fun and abstraction, bird and feathers on the move.

The above photographs are of raven chicks from our life on the mesa.  I use them here to explain the process of Corvid development. 

It was humbling to hear from so many of you about last week's blog.  Many thanks to Barbara, Victoria, Christina W., Diane, TTT, M. Fred, Ann, Ronie, Anne OK, Jean and Sam, Wayne, Steve, Elida, Char, and Ingrid.

until next week,

DB

a passion for the image@

Fred is preparing his work for the Selvedge Magazine World Fair, which will be online in early September.  His rugs are primarily rectangular and not square, so the requirement that all photographs be square presents a challenge but also gets those creative juices flowing.  Photographer Steve Immel and his wife, Peggy, who is an extraordinary painter, know this full well, given their current show at the Wilder Nightingale Gallery in Taos titled Immel².  Two people and work in square formats.  So this blog contains only photographs formatted as squares, mostly details, but a few examples of what can be done with rectangular rugs to make a square photograph.

First the two long rugs hung on the rug rack Fred designed and constructed for the Fall Fiber Arts Fiesta in Santa Fe.  

Rug 346

Rug 347...

...along with a detail of it

Rug 344...

...with its companion detail

Rug 349 detail

In process, Rug 351, a rug the size of which would also serve as a saddle blanket

Below is another detail, complete with spirit line.  In Navajo tradition, the spirit line - ch'ihonit'i - allows the spirit of the weaver to exit the design from inside the borders.

Thanks to Barbara, Wayne, Jean and Sam, Steve, Catherine, Terry, and Ingrid for your feedback this week.  With luck, by next Monday, I will have my website reorganized and ready for viewing. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Rose breeder Will Radler developed the cultivar called the Knockout Rose in 1989 and it came on the market for public consumption in the year 2000. Knockout was meant to give leery members of the public a fighting chance to succeed in growing roses that were resistant to powdery mildew, black spot, and other diseases, as well as pests common to roses.  They also grow in a wide variety of climates.  I am betting that there are Knockout Roses in at least 50% of the yards in our neighborhood.  

We have three bushes in a patio area, providing visual interest daily, from the first bloom in May through September or October.  Needless to say, I have been out, even during the dreaded 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. photography witching hour, shooting the roses, and watching how the light effects the color and my perception of it.

The first bush to bloom this year produces deep burgundy or maroon colored roses.  Shown below are two of the first buds.  All four photographs were shot in early morning shadow.

The next two are buds that will soon open flat.

The still-opening rose shown below, was shot in the later morning and in a pool of brighter light.

The "IN YOUR FACE" eruption of brilliant color of the coral Knockout almost screams for your immediate attention.

It is hard to believe this is from the same bush, but again, it was early morning shade rendering a more pink tone.

Last but not least, a bud in shade that seems to glow

My thanks to Barbara, and to my sister, Debbie, for helping with the identification of our roses.  

Blog commenters this week included Jean and Sam, Barbara, Jim W., Larry J., Mary G., Victoria, Ingrid, Dianne, Steve, and Diane!  My great appreciation goes out to all of you.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

Thanks to Jean and Sam, Barbara, TTT, Wayne, Connie, Charleen, Steve, Victoria, Elida, Ingrid, and Dianne for commenting last week!  I hope you had a weekend of commemoration and friendship.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

As we in Santa Fe whine about the relative lack of rain and snow this year, we now know exactly where the precipitation was falling - in and around Chama. The green was a surprising treat. A broad, grassy area in front of the building can be used for picnicking, breathing the air, and watching the ducks and geese in the pond, after a day of learning how to use wool in one of the many spinning, weaving, and dying classes offered.  As the sign says, you can also "get your lamb here."

the main room 

Several additional rooms hold a literal riot of color.

The dying shed is moist and full of slightly pungent smells, including both dry and wet wool along with natural and aniline dyes.  To me, it is reminiscent of a darkroom.

If you feel like heading out on a day trip as things begin to reopen in New Mexico, the road to Tierra Wools winds through the geology of Ghost Ranch and Georgia O'Keefe country and beyond, into the high country of Rio Arriba County and is one of the most interesting in New Mexico.  Tierra Wools' is now located just south of Chama at 2540, U. S. Highway 64/84, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (masks required), and online at https://www.handweavers.com/shop. 575.756.1650. You can also email them at tierrawools@gmail.com.  

Thanks to Victoria, Christina, Peggy, Terry T., Jean & Sam, Wayne, Steve, Lucia, Ingrid and Catherine for commenting this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

You have read these words before from me, but they are worth repeating.  I have always felt that the best thing a photographer can do is to take a good photograph that needs no more adjustment than what could be done in a darkroom - cropping, dodging, burning, applying a filter, etc.  It is a little like my friend, Lena, who gave me advice forty-five years ago about making flour tortillas.  Handle the dough as little as possible.  Put a bit of flour on the surface, pat it out or roll it one direction, then the other.  You are done.  That is how I feel about developing photographs, whether in the darkroom or digitally. However, I could not resist using some of the presets in Luminar, and make small adjustments within their structure.  The first portrait of the bride is in black and white.  

Below I used a wonderful preset called "film noir", with slight adjustments.

The next two photographs are of the groom in black and white and film noir.

The two of the bride were shot before noon and the covered porch area on which they were taken was filled with southeastern light. The two of the groom were taken in early afternoon on another covered porch facing northwest, producing notably different effects.

The couple, newly married.

I like this particular shot with the couple and the groom's father because it has a spontaneous feel to it.

A nice visual, post-ceremony

Thanks again, Jessica and Joseph for allowing me to share the images I shot at your wedding!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@
 

But at this point, I will share a few of the photographs I took here with my trusty Nikons.  Most were taken with my 70-200mm lens on the D800.  But the group photographs needed the 18-55 mm lens on the D5200.  As a general rule, I consider the time of the wedding, predicted weather, and the desire of the couple as far as photographs are concerned, and do presets on each camera.  Things happen quickly at weddings and the idea is NOT to need a reshoot.  The photographer's worst nightmare and I have seen it happen.  It was certainly a cautionary tale for me before I began shooting weddings in earnest.  

Although my mission was to shoot more of the traditional type of wedding photograph, but it doesn't mean they can't be fun.  In this case, the fun was already provided by the bride's father in full regalia.

While shooting the binding ropes between the groom and bride, I had a sneaking suspicion something compelling would happen and it certainly did. The number of hands involved in accomplishing the task made this a unique photograph.  Each hand seemed to have its own agenda.

In addition to the focus of the groom while reading his vows, the inadvertent "ink" rhythm on the arms of both the bride and her maid of honor adds interest to the scene.

More traditional in scope, the photographs below of the bride and groom separately and then together, demonstrate what a fine background a stucco wall is for environmental portraiture.

Many thanks to Jessica and Joseph for allowing me into their wedding day.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

To say I did not expect to see a kilted man at this particular wedding, with accompanying regalia, was an understatement, and it was a wonderful thing to photograph.  He happened to be the father of the bride.  Here is a detail of his outfit.

The bride is very fond of butterflies.  It makes sense that they were flying on her veil.

The groom looked fetching in his fedora.

The temperature was warm enough for tattooed arms exposed to the breeze.

The delicate clay-colored chairs seemed a fitting place for the bride's bouquet.

May this first week in May be filled with hope for great things to come - here and around the world.  Happy Birthday to Robin J, Larry L., Louise W., Tomas M., Ann M., Char D., and Katy D.  Happy Anniversary to Ingrid and Robert, Lena and Sam, and Karen and Bob. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

But there were a few signs that the times had changed just a bit, including on the beautiful east doors of the building, plastered with paper signs.  The doors remain closed because of the pandemic.  

Security cameras, including a mobile, solar powered unit with four different cameras and a bull horn on it, are now everywhere.  I suspect I was on footage from a variety of angles.  In addition to the security cameras, this wonderful bronze spirit "Morning Prayer" by artist Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache), serves as greeter.

Across the street at the PERA building, the American and P.O.W. flags were flying high in the breeze below the Zia symbol, creating a reflective collage.

Just for fun, I walked down Old Santa Fe Trail and shot photographs of two different convex mirrors in place to help drivers view traffic coming into the downtown area.

And finally, a definite sign of the times is the Charge Point DC fast charge or standard AC charging unit across the street from the Capitol Building for charging electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  It appears that the last vehicles to use it were a Chevrolet Bolt and a Nissan Leaf.  Enough geeking.  

Thank you Claudia, TTT, Jean and Sam, Karla, Barbara, Marilyn, Lawrence, Dianne, Steve, and Sara for writing this week!  As always, you words are always appreciated!  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Apples are much easier to identify, because the blossom in their full open position are white.  Apricot blossoms are white as well, but most bloom much earlier than apples.  The specific type of apple to which these blossoms are attached will elude me until the fruit arrives later in the summer.

With so many trees in bloom, spring has officially made its 2021 debut. Despite the fact, naturally, that it may freeze tonight in several northern New Mexico locations.

Many thanks to Dianne, Barbara, TTT, Christina, Char, Steve, Jean and Sam, M. Fred, Ingrid, and Wayne for commenting on last week's blog.  Everyone is busier now with the new season and possibilities that partial emergence from COVID restrictions bring, and I appreciate you taking the time to read and provide input!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

Dithering through the ether and software, I published my first book using Blurb in 2012.  It was quite extravagant for a lark, because not only did I choose hardcover, 8.5" x 10", but it also had a dust jacket.  And it will come as a surprise to no one that the featured subject matter was flowers.  I called it Studies 1.  

I was encouraged enough by the finished product that when I was asked to shoot the wedding of one our friends' daughters in 2013, I produced another book through Blurb.  It measures 8" x 9.5".  Since my first foray into book self-design and publishing, sizes have become, for better or worse, more standardized, although templates and design capabilities have broadened considerably.    

Encouraged to participate in a group exhibit at La Tienda Exhibit Space in Eldorado by my friend, Victoria, I decided to create another book including the featured photographs.  It carried the exhibit name - Intersection: lens, light, life.  It was a soft cover book, measuring 6.75" x 6.75". The exhibit also occurred in 2013, and at that point, I was feeling quite comfortable using the software.  

the back cover

The next book I printed was done in October/November of 2016.  I switched to Shutterfly to create the wedding book, possibly due to the sizes the company offered, and the fact the Blurb had changed its production software. With our aging computer, downloading it was impossible.  I found the Shutterfly printing to be of similar quality to Blurb.  Both require a glossy cover, but you can choose from several different excellent papers for the interior.  Here are images of the front and back covers.  

The center spread

My wedding photographs were also featured in fellow photographer Steve Immel's edition of Kara and Eero's wedding book, but he did the grunt work and put together a beautiful memory book.  Here is a shot of the cover he produced.

After looking at different websites, and watching numerous YouTube videos from assorted vendors, I decided to download the new software from Blurb and give the enhanced options a spin.  To me, unless I envision selling multiple copies of a book, Blurb is a reasonably priced choice for a good look.

Thanks, Barbara, M. Fred, Wayne, Steve, Char, and Ingrid, for your comments this week.  And a special nod to Paule for sighting my Coyote Pup photograph in the most recent edition of New Mexico in Focus on PBS. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@
 

In-between light or combination light can bring different elements of the flower to the fore.  In this case, the cup is in shadow while the outside petals are backlit.

 An hour later and a sun angle change pulled the drama from these daffodils, producing in your face  sunshine.

Victoria, TTT, Steve, Erin & Jim, Christina, Luella, Jean & Sam, Char, Earle, Wayne, Terry T., Ingrid, and Charlie K. C. wrote about last week's blog, and the developing talent of a six year old artist.  Many thanks!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

In my mind, there is nothing like the complicated subtleness of a single rose, using mid-morning natural west and muted southern light.

Inspiration frequently comes in unexpected ways.  Shower tile under muted southern light provided quite a tactile backdrop. 

Another shot using the same backdrop and light with selective filtering

The stained glass window is emphasized in this shot, rendering soft focus on the roses.

The two photographs below are an homage to Scottish architect, designer, and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  These were shot using natural light as well as fill light courtesy of a Flashpoint bicolor LED portable light. 

It was a real gift to have so many comments on last week's blog, including those from Geula, Char, Ingrid, Dianne F., Victoria, Mary G., Sue, M. Fred, TTT, Paule, Wayne, Jean and Sam, Steve, Bill and Sue, Dave, Lisa S., Barbara F. R., and Pauli.

The Photo-Eye blog site linked below offers the beautiful and gentle black and white florals of photographer James Pitts.  https://blog.photoeye.com/2021/03/new-work-james-pitts.html
 

until next Monday,

DB

     a passion for the image@  

The first image was achieved using natural light as well as a small amount of fill light to lessen the shadows.

The next two images utilized what I would call isolated or surrounding light from all sides, technically providing fill for the subject.

This photograph was made utilizing in-camera flash for the vest itself and south and west natural light.  

The bright, mid-morning light made the vest pop against the wooden gate and stuccoed walls.

Fred was not shivering during these shoots over two days because the 20th was the vernal equinox.  It is official, spring is here in the northern hemisphere.  For us in the southern Rocky Mountains, the word spring is merely a descriptor, as we know there will be more frosts and snow, probably through the end of April.  But it is also nice to know that the snow that falls at this time of year will melt quickly, enriching the soil in the process, and leaving behind the perfect place for growth.

Thanks to Char, Christina, Jean and Sam, Lisa, Donna C., Wayne, Dianne, and Steve for bringing your words to the blog party this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The bright afternoon light provided real drama, highlighting the blossoms and fading the background to black.

It is always a point of interest to see how colors vary under different light, emphasizing, once again, that in photography, light is everything.  The three images following were shot against a white wall with natural light.

I liked the way the white faded into shadow in this shot, rendering a grey ombre gradation.

As always, a close-up shot is always required.

Spring is upon us, in all its Rocky Mountain glory, with wind, warmth, and then coolness, snow flurries and occasional rain.  Change is afoot!

Thanks to Victoria, Terry T., Kay, Wayne, Jean & Sam, Lucia, Steve, and Catherine for your comments last week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

With spring, comes thinning ice and the increasingly fascinating designs to be found therein.

Thanks to Victoria, Ross, Jean and Sam, Pauli, Lucia, Christina, Char, TTT, Terry T. and Steve for commenting this week.   I love hearing from all of you!  Next Sunday, most of the states in America spring forward to daylight saving time.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

It is a rare day when I look at something in the world and not think of how I could make a photograph.  Water, in both liquid and solid form, offers great reflective power.  Because ice generally is static, it offers excellent opportunities to experiment with the abstract, as shown in the photographs below.  With humps and pockets and ridges, light from the sky and stucco walls reflect blue, light tan, and darker shadows.

Out of the shadows and into the sun, craze lines in the ice become apparent and dazzling.

Then, there was this challenge of the week.  Do you know what it is?

Thanks to all of you who commented on last week's blog - Barbara, Donna C., TTT, Lawrence, Christina, Steve, Marilyn, Jean and Sam, Ingrid and Robert, Deb H., Wayne, and Diane.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Because of the past week, I knew today's blog would have to feature snow.  It was picturesque all over Texas until the deep freeze set in.  It was silently beautiful here.  Snow was falling while I was shooting.

Then something happened.  Not unexpected but beautiful in another way. The orchid a friend had given us three years ago, decided to bloom and bring forth beauty of its own.  A little taste of spring in late winter.

Thanks to Barbara, Wayne, Char, Steve, Christina, Larry and Donna, and Victoria for getting in touch despite the wild ride this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

One of my favorite fruits to photograph is the gnarly and fascinating pomegranate.  Outside, the beautiful and rich red stippled skin, almost reflects a rock-like texture to protect its fruit.  With an oak backdrop, it carries a native look.  

Each backdrop brings different tints of the fruit to the foreground. 

Using black and white for the image alters the pomegranate dramatically.  Except for the stem area, it looks more like a rock or dung, but the sheen remains. 

We are extremely lucky to have access to fruits like pomegranates and oranges in the middle of winter.  Below are two photographs of a simple orange - lovely and reflective.  It did not take long for the oranges to freeze solid during my outside setups.  

Thanks to Lisa, Victoria, Terry T., Elida, Barbara, Christina, Connie, TTT, Wayne, Diane DR, Steve, Jean and Sam, Dianne, and Char for your input about last week's blog.  I hope simple things bring you delight this week, with or without your cameras or smart phones.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Echinacea flower

Window detail of the Seattle Public Library

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Rug # 54 by Fred Black.  

One of his earliest rugs made completely using tapestry, in other words, ball upon ball of wool on top of the loom being woven by hand under and over the warp.  It was definitely one of a kind. Fred made it for our hapkido grand master in South Korea.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Expanded metal from the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad yards near Chama, New Mexico

Grape vines and mesh at the Eberle Vineyards in Paso Robles, California

Wall and balcony details, Hotel Albuquerque

Thanks to M. Fred, Donna C., Steve, Jean and Sam, Wayne, Ingrid, and Robert commenting this week, regardless of altered life rhythms.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The deep afternoon shadows created by the equipment were fascinating.

In the hands of a skilled architect/designer, even the swings can have rhythm.

Wherever you find yourself this first Monday of February, I hope you find that inner child (perhaps not a two year old) willing to play!

Thanks to Pauli, Steve, Wayne, TTT, Susie, Barbara, Donna C., Christina, Ann M., Jean and Sam, Char, Catherine, Dianne, Kay, and Ingrid for writing this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

https://www.nmfiberartscenter.org or by visiting in person on Fridays and Saturdays.  

Fred's website is https://bigsageartisanscom.ipage.com/index.html
 

Before we returned to Santa Fe, Connie Taylor, the doyen of Navajo-Churro sheep and wool in New Mexico and the country, was kind enough to dye one more order of wool for Fred.  He has been putting the varied colors to the test ever since.  

The first three shots below are of Rug 347 - in the style of a Chief's Blanket - in progress.  The colors are Ganado (Navajo red) and teal.

Rug # 346 came off the loom last week.  Colors featured in this piece are ochre, cereza negra (black cherry) and malachite.

Rug 345 was a late December/early January creation.  The ombre-style stripes are sunset into cobre.  Dyed black and Tierra Wools turquoise comprise the remainder of the colors.

In a fury of writing this week, I needed to make sure and thank Barbara, Victoria, Steve, Donna C., Diane D., TTT, Wayne, and Dianne here for commenting on the blog.  Many thanks to all!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Here is a sprinkling of shots I made of him.  Unfortunately, my scanner did not survive our move with all its parts, thus, these are digital photographs of gelatin-silver prints made in 1999. 

Mills had an amazing history in journalism and knowledge of the people and politics in New Mexico.  But I wonder what Ernie would be thinking about the current political climate in our country, the players in our state, and the insurrection in Washington, D. C.  No doubt, he would be fascinated, and perhaps somewhat dismayed.  He had such a firm faith in the institutions and people that he would be fighting in some way to keep us together.  

Here is the photograph that I used for the book, with Mills standing on the northeast side of the Roundhouse.  I was keeping my fingers crossed all weekend, and will continue to do so until after the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on 20 January, in hopes that no harm will come to this historic place or lawmakers during the 60 days session starting tomorrow.

Thanks to Barbara, Char, Terry T., Catherine, Steve, Jean and Same, Louse, and Wayne for your comments this week!  I hope all who are reading find beauty and joy in the world, and some of you head out with your cameras to document the world!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

A stray feather - perhaps from an owl or a hawk - appeared in a pile of leaves several weeks ago.  I would look at it on the way out to watering plants or hanging laundry.  It was a beauty.  Simple grey/brown and white stripes, with wonderful edges.  It kept calling and when that happens, photography happens.  Here it is on sandstone dusted with snow.

On the water's edge...

...and on ice

Here are two shots that reveal the feather's design.

Now it shows off the skill of a Zimbabwean basket maker.

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Dave O., Char, Terry T., Jean and Sam, Lisa, Earle, Wayne, Christina, Dianne, and Steve for your beautifully crafted and thoughtful comments on last week's blog.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

First, some background and meteorological history.  Since you already follow this blog (many thanks for that), you know that both Fred and I are weather geeks.  We have kept records of high and low temperatures, precipitation, and assorted anomalies since 1998.  One of the reasons for record keeping is that the human brain tends to do things with time and events, mixing them into a stew, the ingredients of which cannot always be discerned.  One could swear that a mammoth rain fell during a specific year, when in actuality, it happened during another year.  Thus, record books, diaries, and journals, and for a photographer, physical images, accompanied by meta data fill that purpose.   Since there are no weather photographs in my morgue from 1971, I will rely on more recent winter photographs as well as data from the National Weather Service.  The ones below are from 2012, with Fred plowing our neighbors' road on their Kubota tractor, and elk that were frequent visitors that February and March.

Flash back to January 1971, when a winter storm had passed over New Mexico, leaving in its wake a mass of frigid air, and Albuquerque with some of the coldest temperatures on record.  I was living in Albuquerque with my parents and Fred was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, and since we had not yet met, we both experienced the cold in different ways.  My father and I set alarms and got up every two hours to start and run his car, my 1958 Volkswagen, and my sister's 1960 Ford Falcon.  This was before the time when thinner/lighter weight oil was available, and cars simply would not start if you didn't keep after them.  For the most part, the servicemen who had cars and motorcycles at Kirtland could not get them started. Fred seems to remember that Dave O. had a new car, and his was the only one that started. Fred was not only unable to get his 1956 Chevy started, but could not work on the wings of airplanes parked outside because they were coated with ice. They were just huge and dangerous slides.  When these young guys wanted to go to a restaurant for a meal off-base, they literally put on all their clothing for the walks.  On the 5th of January, the low temperature in Albuquerque was -11.9 and the high was 10.9.  On the 6th, -5 and 6 were the high and low temperatures, and on the 7th, the low was -15 and the high temperature that day was 7.  Places like Cuba and Gallup and Zuni were having temperatures hovering at -30 or lower.  These are life-threatening temperatures, and during the time, down clothing was just starting to come to the fore.  The hairs in your nose freeze anywhere below zero, condensation on mustaches freezes, as does wet hair.  Without Polartec and other weather-mitigating clothing, it was quite the deal.  It is the kind of dangerous weather that renders beautiful images such the one below, if a photographer is willing and able to venture out.  Here is a landscape photograph as seen through a lens of ice between aspen branches.

ice abstract 2020 - 3

So, fifty years of life and weather have passed since that momentous year of 1971.  But each new year carries with it events that should be remembered. This is my yearly quest to encourage you to capture those times, whether through writing, art, music, aurally, or photographically - with camera or phone - to keep them alive.  Think of what information we would have now if more individuals had documented the pandemic of 1918, and all the rest of us had access to the information. I, for one, wished I had known enough to ask my parents about it, even though they were children.  For better or worse, it is part of our history.

Speaking of events, Elizabeth H., Anne O., Lawrence J., Mary Pat K., Orlando T., Richard S., Connie T., and Karen L. have birthdays during January, and Louise and Jim were married during the month as well.  May you all have happy celebrations!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

Since Jessica and Joseph are both avid tango dancers, we had to capture some of those looks as well on one of the many foot/bicycle bridges that cross the river.

May 2021 be a better, if not spectacular, year for all of you, including Jessica and Joseph, and those who stick with this blog, whether it arrives on time Monday morning or at a later hour, through thick and thin, literally.  Thanks to all of you.  And a very Happy Birthday to Ben on Tuesday.  I wish I had a book of all your stories from nine decades!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@ 

Those of us in the American Southwest are admittedly spoiled by an abundance of sunshine.  There are many who dislike the longer nights and cannot wait for the longer days of spring and early summer.  2020 is a year in which we need a Solstice celebration, even if it is electronically presented. One thing about this time of year is that the sunsets can be magnificent.     

To take the chill off this Solstice day, I am including Fred's latest Navajo-Churro rug, #344, and calling it the Solstice Rug.  Connie Taylor hand-dyed the wool in coffee, buckskin, turquoise, Ganado, ochre, cobalt, and malachite, along with natural brown-black (not dyed).

In addition to being solstice, the planets Jupiter and Saturn will align after sunset tonight in the southwestern sky.  Auspicious?

Thanks to Terry T., Steve, Lisa, Kay, Debra, Wayne, Christina, Sara, Jean and Sam, Victoria, Geula, and Barbara for also brightening the season with your comments.

Happy Solstice everyone!  We are on our way into the holidays and 2021.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

New world plate from the nightshade family - tomatoes, a potato, and chile

New Mexico apples from a local garden, variety unknown

Poblano chiles from the Santa Fe Farmers' Market

Native American corn

Top it off with a frisky Double Black Zinfandel, chilling in the snow

Thanks to Wayne, Jean and Sam, Steve, Debra, Christina and Barbara for writing this week, and Happy Birthday to my sister, as well as to Fred, Ingrid, Fernando, Marilyn, Lena, Dave K., Jessica, and Ben.  Have hearty and warm celebrations all!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

So here are the jewels you were kind enough to write and allow me to use.

"Family is the most important thing."

--Christina

In reference to dancing 

"Yes, when things feel more safe."

--Barbara

"I think positive and test negative"

and

"Love's the key to all locks"

--Jean and Sam

"You are a writer, and fast."

"Read their list, admired everyone's talent."

"Now yours just as well, hmm."

"I'm still pondering my slow reply."

--Terry T. 

and finally

 "The sun burns through the fog"

 "When her laughter fills my heart"

 "Listening and learning a stranger's story."

--Steve

Thank you so very much for writing and to Char, Suz, Carol and Larry, Wayne, Barbara and Clyde, and Debra for your comments as well!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

But it is still Monday, as far as I know, and much, much later than I usually do my blog.  Time to get on with it, so this will be brief.  While the washed vegetables and fruit were drying on the counter, I realized it was a still life in the making.  Out came the camera, and here are a few of the results.

One the wonderful things that arrived via email this week was a list from the New York Times titled "I am thankful to be thankful" wherein readers were asked to send in six word memoirs that were, according to the Times, a style of writing "popularized by author Larry Smith".  There were 10,000 replies and a selection was listed.  It challenged me to think about the six word memoir.  "The smell of the desert rain", "an enchilada plate and red wine", "exploring little things with my camera", "sharing a warm bed with Fred", "sun shining brightly in my eyes", "hope filled heart for the future", "to bounce wildly around the house", "hearing the sound of friends' voices", "dancing speedy milongas or a lovely tango"  

Want to share?  I would love to hear from you and post some of your six word memoirs next week if you allow.

Jean and Sam, Barbara, Luella, Suzys, Terry T., Dave and Barbara, Carolyn, Catherine, Wayne, Dianne, TTT, Christina, Orlando, Steve, Pauli, DLDWK, and Debra sent comments this week and they are appreciated, one and all.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Fred was kind enough to allow me to use his rug-in-progress to highlight squash - a New World food - that was in existence long before the first Thanksgiving in America.

We noticed these signs recently and I must applaud personnel at Santa Fe County for planting them.

The sign above is perfect - In bad times, a good face.  Be brave and weather the storm.

Have a safe and fine Thanksgiving.  We look forward to next year when we can share the joy of in-person celebrations with many of you.  Thanks to Char, Barbara, Lisa, Paule, Steve, Wayne, Terry T., Jean and Sam, Karla, Ingrid, Debra, and Victoria for your words this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Obviously, there are many different opinions on the subject of mask wearing, but one thing I have always thought about it is that it had to be cool and fun. From the very beginning, my feeling was that if all the sports teams, restaurants, clubs, organizations, and even houses of worship created their own mask designs more people could wear them as fashion statements rather than feeling like they were being punished.  Despite the fact that vaccines will help control this virus, other diseases may well erupt in the future.  Why not get some fun and joy from wearing a mask?  Match your clothes as you do with scarves or pocket handkerchiefs or squares, gloves, ball caps, and other accessories. Frivolous? Perhaps.  Silly?  I don't know.  But these days we can all certainly use a little levity and brightness.  So I present the Black Mask Collection.  Sort of.  Like earrings, one can never have enough, and it is growing.  They look a little like bikini tops, but hey.

A fish story?

My favorite model wearing a dragon mask from Crazy Shirts.

Thanks to Terry T., Christina, TTT, Kay, Marilyn, Steve, Debra, Barbara, Jean and Sam, Wayne and Bill and Sue for commenting this week.  Happy Birthday to Barbara, Carolyn, Cristina and Wayne who will be celebrating later this month.

until next Monday

DB

a passion for the image@

The weather provided a healthy serving of conditions, and I focused on those that demonstrated the week.  Stucco walls reflecting or holding heat or cold become collectors of precipitation, including hail and snow, both of which landed against walls here.

Also suitable in black and white

Veronica, Debra, Donna C., Christina, Dianne, Claudia, Carolyn, Steve, Annie, Jean and Sam, and Ingrid added input and words for last week's blog.  Many thanks to all of you and others who follow the blog.  Thanks for your inspiration.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Bicycle trails and open space development along the river, which had water in it yesterday because of the recent snow (it frequently lacks water except for an occasional puddle) has been an astonishing accomplishment for a city the size of Santa Fe.  Given the fact that the city was basically built along old wagon trails, projects like these can be fraught with challenges.  I was impressed.  The work of many provided some great places for recreation and an engagement shoot.  The cottonwoods and other native trees were, thankfully, left in place, providing unique riparian areas.

The many wooden bridges offer walkers and bicyclists (and occasional tango dancers) a way to cross the river.

And if it is tango, there must be a black and white shot.

 Thanks for J, J, & E for being adventurous and delightful during the shoot, and to Debra, Jean and Same, Terry T., Connie, Victoria, Barbara, Char, Kay, Steve, Dianne, and Ingrid for commenting on last week's blog!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Today's blog has what will be some of the final autumnal photographs I shoot this year - assorted still life images featuring graupel.  It really sets the scene for some interesting abstract shots, including the one below with aspen leaves in water.

Asian flare lantern with a dusting on rocks 

Nothing like a pumpkin with graupel sprinkles on top

Pumpkins on aspen trunks

This Sunday, November 1 at 2 a.m., daylight saving time comes to a close in the United States. Happy Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.

Thanks to Veronica, Kay, Steve, Peggy, TTT, Barbara, Susie, Christina, Connie, Larry J., Wayne, Lisa, Catherine, Bill & Sue, and Ingrid for your comments this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

2020 has been quite the year in too many ways to address here.  But the genus Populus - which includes aspen and cottonwoods - is taking the yellow color spectrum to a whole new level.  I photograph them nearly every day when they are near or at their prime.  Two more images are included here. Stucco walls offer a nicely textured backdrop for them.

Speaking of backdrops, I have also been working with fallen leaves in numerous colors, shapes, and sizes as backdrops for a variety of things, including more roses.  It was particularly interesting to photograph both new, fresh, roses and then use them after they were the same relative dryness as the leaves.  That touch of home-grown rosemary gifted to us along with the roses added a nice touch.

And finally, the roses as they dry against the already dried leaves of autumn

I have a recommendation for all people interested in photography and photo-journalism.  Although the book Obama was published in 2017 by Pete Souza, the NBC networks aired their documentary "The Way I See It" this week, about Souza's life as presidential photographer for both the Reagan and Obama administrations.  Souza is probably one of the best photographers and photo-journalists of our time, and he knew his mission - to present a clear history and story for the two presidents he covered.  The documentary is moving and beautiful, and if you have not seen it, I would highly recommend doing so.  The book should be required reading for all photographers.

Thanks to Terry T., Barbara, Wayne, TTT, Catherine, Debra, Jean and Sam, Steve, Ryley A., and Ingrid and Robert for your contributions to last week and this week's blog.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The season would be incomplete without at least one drive into the mountains.  Although it was a bit late and much of the intense color had already passed, several aspen stands continued to show their golds and red.  

Nature - trees - aspen Santa Fe Ski basin

Year after year as I photograph aspen, thinking that there are only so many ways the trees can be photographed, the trunks hold more and more appeal to me.  The image below demonstrates the growth lines on this multiple-trunked beauty.

There are several maples in our new neighborhood that catch your eye regardless of how many times you walk by them.  The sun not only added intensity to the color but a nice shadow below the bottom leaves.

The total shadow in this image of aspen leaves in water does just the opposite of the maple, making an interesting abstract shot.

A hanging apple renders the comfort of harvest time in New Mexico.

In addition to the brilliant orange of this pumpkin, the stem is a thing of beauty, completing the photographic autumn grab bag.

Terry T., Debra, Luella, Wayne, Kay, Larry and Carol, Christina, Donna and Dave, Sara, Jean and Sam, Steve, Catherine, and Ryley A. got in touch this week to comment on the blog, and as always, your words are much appreciated.  

I hope that each of you is able to do some photography wherever you are.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

To begin, here is a coyote teenager I photographed many years ago on the mesa in Taos County.  Comparing this wild child with a domesticated dog breed, there really aren't that many differences.

Tucker is a very smart labradoodle, one of the many great dogs who are walked every day in the neighborhood.  Even when he is at rest, he is always on the alert, similar to his wild relatives.

More in the "portrait" line, the two images below are vintage Tucker.

It was wonderful to receive everyone's comments last week about National Electric Drive Week, and to know so many are thinking about the possibilities of alternative energy.  Thanks to Lucia, Steve, Claudia, Karla, Terry T., Catherine, Wayne, TTT, Jean and Sam, and Ingrid for participating in the discussion.  Hope you have a wonderful first week in October.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Because National Drive Electric Week began yesterday and runs through 4 October, I thought it would be a good time to again visit solar energy production and electric cars.  There is a massive amount of information online about electrical vehicles.  One source we have been reading for years is Green Car Reports. https://www.greencarreports.com  It is a pretty complete summary of a the daily news about green energy, cars, and emerging technology in America and around the world.  

When people go car shopping at a dealership, you generally sit in the vehicle, look at the features, kick the tires, and check under the hood.  Looking under the hood of a Chevrolet Bolt, for instance, Fred's first comment was "I don't see much in here I recognize".  Three fluid reservoirs - windshield wipe fluid, brake fluid, and coolant - are obvious.  But what the heck is the rest?  Well, since electric cars are almost computers on wheels, there are many electronic components along with the wires that connect them.  Under the hood of the Chevy Bolt show below, there is a total of eleven moving parts.

One adaptation the automotive industry has made is to offer both 120 volt and 240 volt charging technology in an owner's home.  Known to electricians as 110 and 220 volt, one offers a slow charge from a standard electric outlet, and the other, 220, can charge an electric car more quickly from a standard drier outlet.  "Quick charge" stations are located along major highways in the country.  Here is the Bolt EV charging port and charger.

Fellow photographer and friend Terry Thompson recently purchased a Nissan Leaf, and is equally excited about it.  It is called Leafy and pictured below.  He also is producing "front" license plates, for those of us who don't sport license plates both on the front and the back of our vehicles.  You can contact Terry about getting a front plate from his "Personalized Plates for New Mexico Fronts" and see his amazing photography as well at his business website: http://www.TerryThompsonPhoto.com
 

Thanks to Barbara, Marilyn, Luella, Debra, Sara, Wayne, Paul, Steve, and Jean and Sam for writing this week.  Happy Birthday this week to Earle W. and Kelly S.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

A yellow hollyhock, still viable but telling its storied life 

Thank you Marilyn, Wayne, Barbara, Karla, Char, Debra, Donna C., Jean and Sam, Steve, Christina, Geula, and Catherine for your comments this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Within the slight chaos that is involved in moving, Fred has managed to weave three rugs.  He will start on a commission this week, which will be Rug #343, his 400th piece in total (including runners, pillows, and rifle scabbards). Who would have thought?  Here is a shot of Rug #341.  It is 100% Navajo-Churro wool, dyed by Connie Taylor, and features three different shades of malachite, along with ochre, dyed black, and Ganado red.

The wool awaits....

...as does the empty loom

I took the opportunity, in addition to photographing wool, to find the beauty in the aging roses I had photographed two weeks ago.

Thanks to Wayne, Bill and Sue, Barbara, Ann and Tomas, Christina, Jean and Sam, Marilyn, Steve, Charlie, Catherine, Connie and Ingrid for your comments this.  They make my day, regardless of what day you are able to check out the blog.  

My hope is that we can all be gentle with Planet Earth this week.  It needs our kindness at this point, and always.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Here is a shot of our home in Taos County, complete with tracker and solar panels.

Fast forward twenty years and our return to Santa Fe.  In searching for a place, photovoltaic or solar panels had to be allowed.  Period.  It would be nice if there were shared walls to make the house more thermodynamic. When we found a home with those features, along with a lovely neighborhood at the right price, we grabbed it.  In May, we began what I will call Phase 1 of the plan, which was to contact Positive Energy Solar and begin the process of developing a grid-tie system.  We had been told that it could be six months or more, depending on the city and Public Service Company of New Mexico, because of licensing and permitting.  On Wednesday of last week, cars and trucks began arriving before 8 a.m., and men poured forth. First order of the day, in the time of COVID-19, was a temperature check, along with a safety meeting.

After that, a well-oiled machine was turned on, and the work of solarizing our home began in earnest.  Each of the workers has a particular area of expertise.  It was quite the sight to see.

Mounting brackets were removed from the trucks, along with solid cinder blocks for ballast before the panels even faced the sun.  Two men worked on the electrical boxes, both old and new.  Another worked on shaping the conduit.  All were true artists.

Over the course of the morning and early afternoon, 16-370 watt panels were installed on several roof surfaces, attached to brackets and ballast applied, wire pulled through conduit, and junction boxes attached.  

The system was complete and ready to go just after 3 p.m. that afternoon.  We were dumbfounded at the speed and efficiency of the crew.  Now we await Phase II, the final inspection and hook-up to the grid.  We are anxious to see how much energy is being harvested from the sun and sent into the grid during the four seasons.  No doubt, we will keep a log of that, along with our weather log that we have been keeping for twenty years.  

Phase III, an electric car.  Ever the solar geeks!

It was wonderful to hear from so many of you this week - Lisa, Maria, Jean and Sam, Marilyn, Kay, Karla, Barbara, Victoria, Debbie R., Ann M., Christina, Debra, Catherine, Wayne, Steve, Robert, and Ingrid.  Happy September Birthdays to Steve, Donna K., Earle, and Kelly S., and Happy Anniversary to Barbara and David.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

I truly cannot remember seeing roses as gorgeous as the ones we were given last week, in all their stages of bloom.  Here are a few of the results from nearly two hundred shots I took, in different light, and with a variety of backgrounds.  I am still shooting after almost a week, all the while discovering things I should have known about our new surroundings.  And the learning process with the new computer and programs is ongoing, sometimes a sheer delight, while other times, the expletives bounce off the office walls!

Below are two shots of the entire bouquet and different backdrops.

back to a single rose detail

Huge virtual "thanks" go out this week to Suz, Connie, Susie, Wayne, Barbara, Jean and Sam, Debra, Steve, Claudia, Dianne, Pauli, and Ingrid and Robert.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

A very wet hummingbird resting and getting warm

Hollyhock flower after a shower

The sky filled with the promise of rain

After the rain, a double rainbow

Thanks to all of you who persevered so well, and continue to keep in touch virtually, including Orlando, Carolyn S., Lisa, Ingrid, Wayne, TTT, Christina, Debra, Steve, Jean and Sam, and Donna C.  I hope you are all able to record life as you know it with your cameras and other devices.  This is an extraordinary time.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

My camera and I did a bit more practice with the live view mode this week. There is still a learning curve, but I am understanding things and becoming more comfortable with it.  Using Fred's Navajo-Churro wool rugs and other objects, i. e., things that do not move, helped my efforts.

The image here is of Rug # 245, and features baskets from Zimbabwe.

Rug # 339 hosts an old squash blossom necklace created by Pearl Sunrise.

Detail of Rug 339 and necklace

Thanks to Maria, Steve, Barbara, Christina, Connie, Donna C., Marilyn, Debra, Wayne, Jean and Sam, Catherine, and Donna K. for commenting on last week's blog.  May the coming week be glorious.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Building detail rendered in black and white

Entering the parking lot beyond the first flow of grass, the Trail of Memories, with its metal abstract archway bisects the graveyard, leading to the various parts of the gardens.   

A detail of the arch from the side

Sculpture features significantly in the gardens.  Except for the fact that it is white marble, this piece reminds of the Maltese Falcon.

The Corn Maiden of Sipapu is shown below, complete with corn growing at her base.

Both flowing and bubbling water features attract numerous birds and butterflies.

Thanks to Barbara, Marilyn, Jean and Sam, Karla, Steve, Wayne, Ingrid, and Dianne for commenting this week.  May you all have interesting explorations during the coming week!

until next week,

DB

a passion for the image@

Photographing and editing images of my husband, Fred Black's Navajo-Churro wool rugs, is one of the types of photography I do.  But being the great "outside the box" thinker that he is, it was his idea that led me to the live view images in today's blog.  Shooting the portfolio shots of his work from above has opened a new way for me to photograph products in the future.  Rug # 340 is shown here. Fred used a number of the varied natural grey colors from Connie Taylor, the doyenne of Navajo-Churro sheep and wool.

 Below are two details from the rug.  The stripe is a cobalt blue, and the burgundy color of the squares is similar to Connie's cereza negra or black cherry color.  The striping is described as ombre´ or ombrez in French, or blending one color tint or shade to another.  A softer blending, which this may well be, is called sombre´.

Thanks to Barbara, Suz, Donna C., Orlando, Jean and Sam, Wayne, Debra, Maria, and Steve for your comments this week.  As we open the month of August, I hope you are all safe, well, and finding new adventures in photography and life!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

As I walk around our neighborhood, there is always something to see and photograph.  Several blogs ago, I featured a curve-billed thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre).  Well, there is still a chick in the nest, almost the size of an adult, and looking dazed and confused with the world around it.  The parents, ever vigilant, always give me an extraordinary "look" as I investigate the progress.

Flowers of trumpet vines (Campsis radicans) that seem to grow very well in Santa Fe, are hard to miss with their orange-red and yellow flowers.

Decades ago, just out of interest after finishing my degree at UNM, I took a series of landscaping courses at Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute (TV-I).  It was geared toward formal landscaping, but I learned a few things about which vegetation (both native and imported) does well in the central to northern parts of New Mexico.  One of the trees that is the frequently-used Austrian black pine (Pinus nigra).  I believe the photograph below is of the needles and cones of that tree.  (And please, if that is incorrect, email me.)

I have heard from a number of friends and family members that they are missing close contact with their fellow humans, as are most of us.  In the duration of the pandemic, my hope is that each of you can explore and find elements of nature and life in general that fill those voids.  Thanks Lisa, Victoria, Wayne, Barbara, Claudia, Pauli, Catherine, Steve, Kay, Jean and Sam, Lawrence, and Sara for your comments this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Hiking that wide (the former road used to build the ski area) and pretty tame "trail" for the first time in over twenty years, was like visiting an old friend and giving and receiving a huge hug.  It was overcast for the first two hours, and the smell.  Oh, that Rocky Mountain smell!  If someone could bottle it, they would be incredibly wealthy.  And every single New Mexican knows how precious water is.  When you see a waterfall - even a diminutive one like this - it is very exciting.

The fireweed was in its amazing fuchsia-colored glory.

A close second was the paintbrush.  I am not certain whether it is foothills paintbrush or Wyoming narrow leaf, but it was also particularly showy.

A new spruce tree is growing up in the middle of the bouquet below.  You might have to squint to see it.

The white in the midst of everything else was either yarrow or a Richardson's geranium, shown here.

And another water shot near the end of the trail as we returned.

Thanks to Sara, Wayne, Carol and Larry, Barbara, Pauli, Christina, Catherine, Debra, and Steve for your comments on last week's blog.  I hope this finds you and everyone well and happy, and able to express yourselves through art - photography and otherwise.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Curve-billed thrashers are common in southern Arizona and New Mexico, but they do live as far north as Santa Fe.  Neighbors told me about a nest in a cholla, so I thought I would take a look.  The nest appears very disorganized. How could it be soft and downy in the middle of a cactus?  But apparently, it works.  Both mother and father are quite attentive, sitting and guarding for long stretches of time.  Here is a shot of the well-hidden thrasher, given away mainly by its yellow eye.

Next in the grab bag is an aloe vera plant detail.  The way in which the "leaves" flair creates a nice rhythm.

A red umbrella against stuccoed wall layers also adds to the architectural rhythm.

A stucco wall also offers a backdrop for an aspen leaves in light and shadow.

Thanks to Barbara, Jean and Sam, TTT, Lisa, Donna, Victoria, Debra, and Steve for checking in this week, and to everyone for putting up with my transition to new equipment and environs.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The motion of the vehicle is visible in the foreground of this photograph.

Thanks to Lawrence, Catherine, Steve, Brenda, Lisa, Dianne, Kenny, Sara, Barbara, Christina and Debra for wrapping up the month of June with your lovely comments!  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The photograph below is of a potted Japanese maple on river rocks against a stuccoed wall.  The different variations in intensity of the stucco color provides a soft backdrop.

The last image is an in-your-face, full of color shot of a hollyhock against a stuccoed wall.   One of the different strokes that shouts "New Mexico!" 

Thanks to Debbie, Karla, Bill, Debra, Donna C., Christina, Steve, Dianne, Ingrid, Jean and Sam, Donna K., Wayne, and Barbara for commenting this week.  I hope to get emails to each of you this week.

until next Monday,

DB 

a passion for the image@

These roses were the "first clip" from a neighbor's rose bush.  Neither she nor I know the variety, but its delicate ivory color and fragrance make it a prize in my book, from stem to stern.  Light and reflection make the stems a great subject for a toned black and white still life, shown below.

The petals have just enough yellow and pink in them to produce a rich ivory color.  The rays of light on the table are a bonus.

What would one of my blogs be without a closeup?

Thanks to Donna, Susie, Pauli, Dianne, Ingrid, Wayne, Steve, Elida, and Jean and Sam for your comments this week.  Please forgive me if I forgot to include any one of you here who wrote.  There are piles of paper everywhere in the chaos, which is slowly becoming more organized by the day.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

An orchid that was given to us as a gift some years ago, is endless in its giving.  I have featured it several times in this blog, but I can't help photographing it in all its glory every time it blooms.

The other happening is the bloom of the Polish Spirit clematis vines on the north side of our house.  They just started late last week and have loads of buds waiting to unfurl themselves.

Thanks so much to Barbara, Wayne, Marilyn, Lisa, Donna, Jean and Sam, TTT, Debra, and Steve for checking in this week.  With luck, there will be a seamless transition from this week's blog to next Monday's, but I appreciate your patience if it arrives later in the week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

It makes me think about how annoying it must be for elk and deer to shed their antlers every spring.  Imagine having a large and heavy hat on your head, twice the size and height of your head, and carrying it around for months.  It is off-balancing, disorienting, and probably uncomfortable.  So the best thing is to get rid of it, shaking and violently trying to rid yourself of the problem.   And elk and deer rub anything that is hard and stable enough to knock off that hat.   Many people hunt for "sheds", the antlers that these animals carry with them. Occasionally, we find one here on the mesa.  They are counterpoints to their surroundings, including the paintbrush here.  The bleached antler amplifies the orange-red of the flowers.

A human-made white in lattice work makes the honeysuckle colors pop the same way antlers do.

Thanks, Kay, Jean and Sam, LIsa, Marilyn, Steve, Ingrid, Christina, TTT, Wayne, and Debra for your words and keeping me on the straight and narrow!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

When photographers look through images and paperwork for projects (the archives, as it were) it is always an interesting process.  The opportunity to look at your body of work and see exactly how much you have done over the years is daunting.  You just keep using the tools of the trade, and mountains of photographs in different formats begin to form.  Thus, an occasional cleaning and weeding is a good thing.   I started taking photography semi-seriously during a hike in the Grand Canyon in 1968, but did not become a professional, officially, until selling my first images in 1977 to New Mexico Magazine.  Thus, there are a few years worth of material.

There are triggers in life that get your mind going in certain directions. Online graduation ceremonies from high schools, colleges, and military academies. A contact out of the blue from someone I had photographed. Searching the folders of photographs and information sheets of people in my book project, A Place Like No Other:  People of an Enchanted Land.  All of these things combined and evolved into today's blog. Sometimes, I wish I could have a do-over of some of the weddings I photographed and environmental portraits I shot.  But looking back, it was pleasing to find some jewels.  The ones included here were made with a Mamiya 1 3/4 x 2 1/4 format camera, using Ilford 400 film.

In pursuit of compelling faces and stories of people in New Mexico, I did a shoot in Albuquerque in 1997 of environmental educator, Hy Rosner.  His huge winning smile and approach to life made photographing him a joy.  I am not exactly sure why he was not included in the book, but page count was limited or Hy would certainly have been part of it.

Three young women at the New Mexico MIlitary Institute in Roswell, were great fun and willing subjects.  The photograph in my book is of the three of them together, but the individual photographs show just a little bit more of each personality.  I have no idea where any of them are now, or whether they followed military careers.  The first is Barbara Soto.

The next two photographs are of sisters Natalie and Felisa Lopez. 

David Cordova, who is now a realtor, comes from a long line of weavers from Truchas that I had photographed before Fred even started to weave.  He also did some acting, and was definitely not shy in front of a camera.

Your comments on last week's blog were so interesting and filled with the history of family members serving in WWII, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. Members of Dianne's family were in WWII, Vietnam, and the Gulf war, including her mother who was a "Rosey the Riveter" in World War II, Wayne's father was a medic in WWII, and Pauli's birth father was an Army Air Corps navigator killed in North Africa. 

So very much to remember, and I thank you.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

I did some photography last year at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.  When I revisited some of those photographs, I realized that in the shot below, almost all of the people in the first four rows died in 1944, toward the end of the second world war. From New Mexico, with our relatively small population, so many died that year.

One of the most interesting things about looking at the marble stones is that many of these men were quite young, but others were 30 years or older when they felt compelled to enlist.  As you can see here, Pedro Gomez was born 29 April 1911, and died in the last half of 1944, making him 33 years old.

May we always remember.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In all the twenty or so years I have been photographing blue flax, I have never photographed them from the base or back of the flower.  One of those things that simply had not occurred to me until recently.  But when the light bulb went off in my head, it revealed the flowers in a whole new light, as it were. A windless morning or day is the best for photographing these because of the flexibility of the stems that wave in the wind.

And once again, the face of the blue flax flower.

Thanks to Elida, TTT, Terry T., Jean and Sam, Fernando, Christina, Barbara, Susie, Wayne, Steve, Bill and Sue, Debra, Catherine, Dianne, and Lisa for your comments this week.  Love them all!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Some of the cups are more loosely organized than others, such as this one, with different parts curling inward.

And as is the case with human hair color, the colors within the groups of daffodil cups can be slightly different.

Thanks to Connie, Barbara, Christina, Fernando, Kay, TTT, David O., Wayne, Steve, Donna, Jean and Sam, Marilyn, Lisa, Sara, and Pauli for getting in touch this week and commenting.    It is always great to hear from you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Solar electricity is more popular than ever, with a wider variety of capabilities and more efficient options available now than twenty years ago when we started building our home on the mesa.  There are two types of owners of solar systems - those who love the idea of getting energy from the sun and happily use the systems with minimal knowledge. Then you have geeks, like Fred and eventually me, who understand as much of the inner workings of solar electricity as possible.  These are the folks who might have (as in our case) solar panels mounted on trackers that move through the day to track the sun's angle.  The house tracker is shown here, with last year's late spring garden in bloom.

Having solar or photovoltaic panels mounted on a tracker enables the owner to change the angle of the tracker, and maximize energy production throughout the year.  We change ours quarterly, with dates in conjunction with the winter/summer solstice and spring/autumnal equinox.  It is a two-person job - one person pushing up or pulling down - on the tracker, and the other moving the bolts to different positions.

After the angles have been changed, the batteries are equalized, running them to a higher voltage and shaking the sulphur off the lead plates inside. The process prolongs battery life.  This is where the man, the batteries, and a turkey baster come into play.

Lead-acid batteries are wonderful things.  They enable us to store energy from the sun for use at night and on cloudy days.  The process of storing and discharging energy in the battery requires distilled water to replace water loss due to evaporation and the production of hydrogen gas. Thus, the 18 batteries in our house system have two cells per unit, each requiring servicing with distilled water.  For safety's sake, when working with acid, mask and gloves are always a good idea.  Here are some shots of Fred at work, servicing the batteries.  He has done it 74 times in the past 18+ years, at both the house and the well, which has its own solar-electric system.  The process requires focus and attention to detail.

He holds a crank-wound flashlight in his left hand to point light into each of the cells, enabling him to see the water level.  As for me, I used my in-camera flash to fill the photographs with extra light.

Didn't really think you were going to get a Physics 101 lesson, did you?  I do need to take a physics course!

Thanks go out this week, to Christina, TTT, Victoria, Jean and Sam, Wayne, Sara, Ingrid, Barbara, Debra, Steve, and Dianne for sending your most welcome comments this week!  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

In areas where rain and snow may have collected,  for instance, between rocks, the Santa Fe phlox present themselves in bouquets like the one here.

The stems with blooms extend themselves out from the base of the plant and across the ground or sandstone.

Occasionally, some almost look tropical flowers when the stems are fully upright.

The color of this flower is stunning.

Santa Fe phlox_

Another thing that photographing on the ground reveals are things like buds, seen on either side of this whitish/purple phlox.  They are tightly wound in a spiral that eventually reveals the flower.

Many thanks to Barbara, Chuck, TTT, Wayne, Dianne, Jean and Sam, Steve, Lisa, and Debra H. for your words this week.  I hope this continues to find you safe and well and finding pleasures at home.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The aspen trees started to put out "catkins" several weeks ago and they are in full flower now.  They don't smell, and because they lack petals, I did not know catkins were flowers.  But these long, slim, drooping, prehistoric-looking things are the pollen-producing mechanisms for many trees, including the aspen, cottonwood, and willows, among others, in New Mexico.  They are pollenated by the wind or anemochory, and there is certainly an ample supply of spring wind in New Mexico. Soon they will fall to the ground to be replaced by lovely spring green leaves.

In the mean time, I was on the hunt for Easter daisies, and had my first sighting yesterday, while clipping and deadheading last year's dried plant material. Since they are in the sunflower or Asteraceae family, and therefore driven by the sun each day, you won't see the blooms early in the morning.  I probably stepped on some as I started to work.  They are pretty darned small and tend to blend into the soil and rocks.  Here is a lovely bouquet that measures about two inches across, along with a single flower shown below.

Easter daisies 2020

Easter daisies 5 - 2020

The filaments in the flower here are a study unto themselves.

Easter daisies 3 - 2020

The first narcissus bloomed this week as well - bright, yellow, and awaiting the viewer's accolades.

flowers - narcissus 2 2020

flowers - narcissus 2020

Given the uncertainty in the world, courtesy of COVID-19 among other things, I hope that all of you are finding joy and new discoveries in your surroundings, and that you are staying safe and well.  Thank you Marilyn, Barbara, Christina, Terry T., Dianne, TTT, Jean and Sam, Claudia, Ingrid, Steve, and Lisa S. for your comments this week.  It was wonderful to hear from you! 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

When I muse about food, I constantly am awestruck by early humans who made incredible discoveries because they were hungry.  It is very understandable how grains started to ferment and someone liked the smell enough to taste it, complete at this point with enough airborne yeasts to make alcohol.  But why would the Mayans and Aztecs think that they could take such a bitter fruit as a cacao bean, and then roast and sweeten it to produce a beverage fit for the gods?

Which leads me to olive oil.  Another extremely bitter fruit is the olive.  How could a human being think that curing these things with salt or pressing them would produce such delights?  The oil can range from grassy and peppery to rich and buttery in flavor.  Simple and at the same time, extremely complex. As a photographer, it is a work of art - an instant photo shoot.

Snow fell last night over much of northern and central New Mexico, leaving the skies grey and with even light, a perfect combination for shooting reflections. Nothing like a beautifully blown bottle to showcase and reflect the olive oil.  Here are some of the results.  

food - olive oil 1

food - olive oil 2

food - olive oil 3

I sincerely hope that all of you are finding simple pleasures in your lives during the time of corona, and that we emerge stronger and smarter, and with a sense of what needs to be done to make our lovely Planet Earth a better place for all!  In the meantime, have fun in the kitchen!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

So, we find ourselves moving through the days and weeks quite differently, as time compresses.  One 24-hour day seems to contain more than a year right now, leaving many of us wondering what the heck day it is, and when we will be able to see friends and family again in the flesh.  It is, at the very least, life in an altered state. Given that, I decided to change things up and do my own alterations to photographs I love.  Changing exposure and tone, among other things, is always a fascinating process.  Some of the results are featured here.

Few things in nature are as photogenic as the seed pod of the goatsbeard or western salsify (a member of the sunflower family), and I thought it would be a great subject for alteration.

goat's beard seed pod, altered    

I was a little tentative about putting this deep purple tulip into an altered state, but it seemed to translate in an interesting way.  The more I look at how the details present themselves, the more compelling it seems.

tulip - altered

I haven't used this image of a lotus pod much, but it was fun to see it undergo an alteration.

lotus altered 1

Another lotus pod with its own leaves in the back and foregrounds

lotus altered 2

Finally, as I await this year's crop of daffodils, I decided to work with another image that I haven't used much in the past.  It seems much more soft and soothing than expected.

daffodil altered

To Dianne, Sara, Debra, Steve, TTT, Barbara, Wayne, Veronica, Terry T., Jean and Sam, and Marilyn, my heartfelt thanks for your comments this week.  And for a truly entertaining and uplifting video, search Facebook for Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe.  Known for his Dirty Jobs and Somebody's Gotta Do it, Rowe is hilarious.  He and the crew released a recent episode of school principal Charity Haygood in Newark, New Jersey.  Guarantee, you will feel good all over!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

Compared to what so many are doing, the changes I have made are miniscule. Like everyone else, I am more involved than ever in the task of cleaning - hand washing, sanitizing hard surfaces, cleaning groceries and deliveries.  I am a pretty clean and organized person, but I am also the first to admit that it seems to take an inordinate amount of time, perhaps time that I would like to devote to photography.  But it absolutely must be done to get through this.  Given that, I spent an equally inordinate amount of time this week photographing a setup that is representative of these things. Meet my new friends in the time of corona.  (As an aside, we have found a very practical alternative to latex gloves in the form of corn tortilla bags.  We have a whole stack of the Mi Rancho sacks that are recloseable and stay on your hands better.)

COVID-19 supplies 1

COVID-19 supplies 3

As all of us continue to develop a "new normal", nature goes on as it always does, and there are more signs of spring every day.  The beautiful cedar wax wings have arrived at the feeders of friends south of Santa Fe, mountain bluebirds are working on their nests, and assorted sparrows along with other ground birds are singing those unmistakeable territorial songs.  Red shafted flickers are drilling into anything they can with their beaks, including ant hills. As I write this, it has started to precipitate - rain, snow, graupel - a real March mashup. 

The sky presented quite the mashup this week, with clouds we had not seen before.  Something must have been going on in the troposphere, for the cloud scallops to be mixed with the cumulus clouds.

March cloud mashup 3

March cloud mashup 1

March cloud mashup 2

Thanks this week to Wayne, TTT, Steve, Terry T., Catherine, Larry and Carol M., Marilyn, Jean and Sam, Christina, Barbara, and Lena and Sam for your feedback. And what can I say to the grocery store employees, postal employees, delivery people, drivers, EMTs, nurses, doctors, and all medical personnel, home health care workers, janitors and sanitation workers, scientists and researchers, firefighters, police, National Guard members, and other military personnel here and abroad, pilots, flight attendants, ticket agents, maintenance workers, and journalists, reporters, and videographers? Then there are the educators and parents who now found themselves in the role of full time educators?   Everyone out in the world, doing their absolute best to make these strange and scary times better for all of us.  Thank you hardly even seems appropriate, but it will have to do for now. In the mean time, we'll be thinking about creative ways to express our appreciation when all of this is over.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

My mind has been working overtime, and from what I gather, I am not alone.  Thoughts that have popped up in my brain this week, (other than the ever-present ones about the first responders, medical professionals, and scientists who are working massive numbers of hours for the rest of us to learn more about the monster) are varied, and sometimes wild and weird.  For instance, how could something that looks as beautiful through the lens of a microscope as the corona virus, be so deadly?  That is obviously a rhetorical question, but you get the idea.

Talking and hearing from several of you tells me that many artists and writers are actually appreciating the time to do their work unencumbered by "normal" life.  But I do wonder how the men and women in naval fleets around the world are coping with the pandemic.  Those vessels and people on them, may not go ashore until COVID-19 is under control.  I cannot even fathom being on a submarine for more than several hours.  Then there are the logistics and delivery people, the homeless as well as people on the border with Mexico, now closed to everything but "essential people and services", and those incarcerated. What a time!  Thus, in addition to doing photographic work, I have begun journaling again, doing online research, and generally trying to make sense of what is happening.    

Astronaut Scott Kelly has written some good pieces about life aboard the International Space Station.  It is all about keeping structure, having a schedule, and doing work. If you are an artist, you already use some of these tools.  Many of you are gardeners and also use those tools, in full preparation for spring planting, as March continues to present itself in all its glory.  As several different varieties of sparrows who summer in the sage create a mating concert, and other seasonal birds arrive, the wind blows during fleeting storms complete with thunder and lightning, that drop rain, graupel, and snow on the mesa.

I was lucky enough yesterday morning to shoot photographs of a previous night's moisture in many forms on our roof windows.  These things are very time specific.  One has to catch them before the sun shines on the windows and melts the image.  It appears that the graupel packed down at the bottom of the window before other moisture settled and froze on top of it.  I shot some of these while squatting beneath the window, and others while lying on the floor.  

graupel and ice drift on window 3  

graupel and ice drift on window 2

graupel and ice drift on window 1

It just seemed appropriate to turn one of the shots horizontally, which made the ice look like a weaving.

graupel and ice drift on window 4

Thanks to Veronica, Donna, Lisa, Debra, Geula, Elida, Steve, Barbara, and Victoria for your comments this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

The virus roared in, wreaking havoc, and changing our lives beyond imagination.  It feels like a science fiction movie.  Yes, we have gone through different outbreaks and pandemics before in the 20th and 21st centuries - the Spanish flu of 1918, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, H1N1 to name a few.  But COVID-19, with its truly world-wide spread, seems to have no boundaries and no particular preference (except that the elderly are more susceptible) - just people.  And it is new.  No vaccine, and no knowledge of its behavior except what the medical professionals world-wide are putting together in real time. There have been knee-jerk reactions in grocery shopping and other preparations, some scammers are trying to take advantage of the situation (I could easily say they should be shot at dawn for that) but eventually, we'll all need to find a new rhythm in our lives.  My only and sincere hope is that people remain civil, and can find a certain joy in the resulting relative isolation.  Only time will tell, as governors, mayors, and leaders around the world try to wrap their heads and systems around the virus.   

Below are a couple of wonderful and inspiring videos, the first of Italians singing and making music from their balconies, and the second is of a runner in Bend, Oregon, who stopped to help an elderly couple with their grocery shopping.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-singing-italy-siena-lockdown_n_5e6b7f37c5b6747ef11b5f28?fbclid=IwAR1-aIIlHb9svLuFuNMju76UdjrmrudwXshgaxolyxS8uW6u1WiTdKgxGlQ