Trees - aspen 2021 9.jpg

Trees - aspen 2021.18.jpg

This is one of my older aspen photographs taken while we were living in Taos County.  Highway 64 between Tres Piedras, and Tierra Amarilla has some real gems.  These had been dusted with snow that left what I call rain "shadows" on the trees.  

Trees - aspen rain shadows in autumnKONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

If you live in the northern hemisphere, I hope you are able to enjoy autumn color and the joy it brings.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

Granted, I flipped it off and it ended up on the wall the following morning.  These big green aliens scared me endlessly when I was child.  They used to show up on a regular basis amongst the piles of leaves into which I would jump.  Did not like them one bit.  However, I decided to shake my trepidation and started to photographic this particular one.  It was drying itself off after the previous night's rain.  The first image below, you can see rain droplets on the "pronotum" or extended neck collar.  To me, it looks like armor of finely cut and tooled leather.  The wings resemble stained glass.  And the eyes - those compound eyes.  What can I say?  Like jewels, these organs are basically "motion/light detectors" (according to Wikipedia).   

Grasshoppper 5 2024

The pronounced rear leg is actually a femur, and the round part at the end is attached to the tibia which is tucked underneath the grasshopper.  

Grasshoppper 1 2024

The assorted and chunky collection of parts in the front under the eyes is the reason they can chew through plants so efficiently.

Grasshoppper 6 2024 Grasshoppper 3 2024

A perfect space alien

Grasshoppper 2 2024    

 It still amazes me to see things close up and this subject was no exception.  I wonder if early movie makers of alien invaders actually copied the eyes of grasshoppers for their alien beings.  

Since yesterday was the autumnal equinox, it is officially autumn, and with luck, each one of you will be able to photograph and enjoy the most elegant of seasons.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

Revelatory Rain iris leaves with rain drops

With their many-petaled construction, roses have room for both tiny water bowls and lines of droplets, as shown in the next four images.

Revelatory Rain rose bowl 2

Revelatory Rain rose bowl 3 Revelatory Rain rose bowl 1 Revelatory Rain rose bowl 4

Hosta leaves are photogenic in three seasons before they die back to the ground for winter.  Rain that falls onto the curved leaves is shaped into little reflecting pools. 
 

Revelatory Rain hosta catchment 2

Revelatory Rain hosta catchment 1 Revelatory Rain hosta catchment 3

Then there are the spider webs which I encounter on a regular basis while walking through garden, that really shine when it rains.  

Revelatory Rain spider web

Finally, lacy Japanese maple leaves carry and shed rain drops quickly.

Revelatory Rain Japanese maple leaves

My thanks to Paule, TTT, Jean & Sam, Catherine, M. Fred, Marilyn G., Barbara F. R., Steve, and Ingrid for your blog input last week!  

The autumnal equinox is next Sunday, 22 September, as the amount of daylight becomes increasingly less (by two minutes and 13 seconds today).  It provides the absolute best natural light for photography, and with luck, you will be able to take advantage of it as autumn progresses.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Santa Fe Wool Festival 2023 animals 8   

Below is a shot of Fred's booth area from the 2023 festival.
Santa Fe Wool Festival 2023 Fred's display 1

Included in the stable of this year's 100% Navajo-Churro rugs is #410 shown in the following two photographs.  He achieved the stripes using a technique called "pick and pick".  The wool is dyed in the traditional Navajo way by Zefren (who is located in Shiprock), using indigo and cochineal.  Arts and crafts style side table is also Fred's work.  
 

Rug 410

Rug 410 interior design shot B

Detail of Rug 408, which will also be featured at the Festival.

These lovely coasters are also made of 100% Navajo-Churro wool.  They will be included in the Silent Auction.

Coasters 2024

The Santa Fe Wool Festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 6th.  

The Santa Fe County Fairgrounds on located at 3229 Rodeo Road in Santa Fe.

Given all the possible activities available during this season, I especially appreciate comments from Rebecca, Jean & Sam, Marilyn R., Charleen, TTT, Catherine, Steve, Marilyn G., and Barbara F. R. last week. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

mushrooms and fungi 1 2024

The mushroom below looks like it has been sautéed and is ready to eat. 

mushrooms and fungi 4 2024

Given the color of the mushroom shown below, my guess it could be poisonous.

mushrooms and fungi 3 2024

Nature appears to have already roasted the one shown below.  

mushrooms and fungi 7 2024

A great brain?

mushrooms and fungi 6 2024

Chunks of granite provided the bun here.

mushrooms and fungi 5 2024

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Tim, Bill & Sue, Charlie, TTT, Orlando, Sam & Lena, Carolyn, Sara and Chuck, Jean & Sam, Ann M., Claudia, Victoria, Gustavo, Dianne, Earle, Dave & Donna, and Steve for your comments last week and for the good wishes.  I hope with the opening of September, temperatures are cooler and the feel of autumn is carried on the breezes!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) gave some suggestions for living life.

 "Dance like nobody is watching; love like you've never been hurt; sing like nobody is listening; live like it's heaven on earth."

And this particular quote also says volumes about the times in which we live.

"Live your life with joy, despite having all the facts."  -- Jane Goodalll

Many thanks to TTT, Sandra B., Veronica, Barbara F. R., Sara, Marilyn G., Chuck, Jean & Sam, Lisa, Steve, and Catherine for commenting on last week's blog.  Here's to all of you, and to Fred, I cannot say enough!   

We are off for a little hike in the rare damp mountain air to celebrate.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

One thing has not changed.  Indian Market is about the people of multiple generations who create and those who appreciate and collect their work. And the people watching is unsurpassed.  It is a photographer's paradise.  

Walking and styling

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 1 2024

Decision time at the booth.  I am beginning to think I am the only one who isn't sporting any ink!
  SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 2 2024
 

Shoes are definitely part of the style, regardless if they are athletic shoes or wedges.

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 7 2024

Street photography as shown above comes easily to me, but I find myself having to set my shyness aside in order to ask people if I can photograph them.  For one thing, the artisans are busy at their booths and lots of people are around.  I hate to interrupt someone trying to sell their work.  So the next sequence of photographs were gained by introducing myself as a photographer and asking if they would allow me to photograph them.    
 

Indigenous Designer Shaydee Snow Pretends Eagle was kind enough to be a photo subject.   

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 5 2024

Having never been very precise with makeup, I cannot even imagine the process and time involved in putting together her style.
 

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 6 2024

Golga Oscar, artist and owner of Third Generation Art in Kasigluk, Alaska, had a winning smile I needed to photograph.  The work at his booth included two stunning coats - one made of muskrat pelts, and the other of rabbit.   

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 3 2024

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 4 2024

Marita Ahhaitty Growing Thunder owner of the Growing Thunder Collective and her exquisite bead work.  

SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 10 2024 SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 8 2024 SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, New Mexico 9 2024

My thanks go to these great artists and activists for their work and for permitting me to photograph them and their work.

And many thanks to Barbara F. R., Victoria, Catherine, Kay, Jean & Sam, Steve, Ingrid, and Lawrence for commenting on last week's blog.

until next Monday,

DB 

a passion for the image©

The praying mantis belongs to a large order Mantodea "that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families."  (Wikipedia). They have a habit of rocking, which can mimic the movement of leaves.  As a photographic subject, they are perfect because they wait for their many types of prey to come to them.  If you watch a mantis long enough, they will start watching you. Despite that, the are very good for the garden, consuming a number of different pests.  The following photographs demonstrate the statement "What are you looking at?"

Insects - praying mantis 3 2024 Insects - praying mantis 2 2024

The image below with the front legs together shows why they are called "praying mantis"

Insects - praying mantis 1 2024  

Some minor developing adjustments gives a slightly spooky effect.  

Insects - praying mants 4 2024

Thanks to Jean & Sam, Ann, Peggy, Melissa, Catherine, Marilyn G., Barbara F. R., Steve, MFB, Carolyn S., Victoria, Dianne J. and Robert for commenting on last week's blog.  During these vacation months when so many of you are out and about, I particularly appreciate your thoughts on the blog.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

It was quite exciting when I noticed a chrysalis on a lavender stem.  Having no clue what would eventually emerge from it, all I could do is wait. Probably a butterfly, but which butterfly?  There is an abundance of swallowtails flying the neighborhood, in addition to many other butterflies. Reading that the chrysalis stage lasts between 7 and 10 days, and that the speed depended on the temperature, the best I could do is check every day to make sure it was still intact. You may remember this from my 21 July blog.
 

Chrysalis 2024
 

Last Thursday, as was our habit, we were about to go for our standard three mile walk when Fred came into the house saying "You had better grab your camera now."  The rather rough looking off-white object in the lower left hand third of the photograph, was torn and empty, and a female black swallowtail was drying its wing.  I have chased butterflies with my cameras for years, but have never seen one newly emerged, with all the wings perfectly intact, undamaged, and ready to fly.  The female of the species is very different from the male, the dots of which are bright yellow rather than a light cream color, as shown in the image below.  Both sexes have the blue and orange markings on their wings.

Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 1 2024
 

Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 1A 2024

Who would have thought that concrete and macadam pavement would provide such interesting backdrops?

Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 4 2024
 

Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 2 2024 Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 5 2024 Butterflies - black swallowtail Papilio polyxenes) 72024  

After having seen the evolution from caterpillar to butterfly, I now know why children get such a thrill out of cutting a plant stem with a caterpillar on it, putting it in a jar, watching it create a chrysalis, and then become a butterfly.  A better demonstration of one of nature's wonders is hard to find, and it was just plain lucky to see and photograph it.

Thanks to Anne, Marilyn R., Lisa S., Jean & Sam, Catherine S., Barbara F. R., TTT, Dave O., Paule, Steve, Brenda, M.Fred, Marilyn G., Lawrence, and Char for your very kind comments about last week's blog featuring Fred's rugs.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I

Rug 409, is a particularly complex rug, involving design, geometry, and architecture or engineering.  As you can see in the top of the image below, he starts on the drafting table drawing the design before proceeding to the loom.  It will probably take a month to complete.

Rug 409 in progress
 

Although at first glance, a viewer might think it is either Aztec or Mayan in feel, but it really is a Celtic knot of his own design.

Rug 409 detail 1

Rug 408 is a blend of Southwestern themes, as well as elements of the arts and crafts movement.

Rug 408 Rug 408 in progress

Rug 407, with its flattened triangles (which in Navajo weaving represent  "K'os Yisheh" or cloud terraces) is bold and dramatic.

Rug 407 Rug 407 in progress 2024

The rugs above are made of 100% Navajo-Churro wool, both warp and weft.  All three of these rugs will be among 18 Fred will feature in his booth at the Santa Fe Wool Festival, Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6 at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds.

Thanks to Fred for continuing to create and carry on traditional weaving.  And thanks to Connie, Gustavo, TTT, Jean & Sam, Steve, Catherine, and Marilyn G. for commenting last week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Chrysalis 2024

It is also the height of the travel season for many.  They are on holiday, scattered around the world, enjoying time away from jobs and the news.  And there are a good many who are home but glued to their televisions or are actually on the roadways now, watching the Tour de France, which was won for the third time as I write (spoiler alert) by Tadej Pogacar  And the Olympic Games opening ceremony is this Friday in Paris.  Given those, I recommend viewing The Boys in the Boat on Amazon Prime.  The Boys in the Boat is based on the 1936 Olympic rowing event, and how an underdog junior varsity team from the University of Washington is chosen, trained, and makes its way into national and international races. Based on the true story turned into a narrative non-fiction novel by Daniel James Brown, it is an uplifting story for the ages.  

Released in 2023, Tour de France Unchained is airing on Netflix, and goes into the inner workings, strategies, mayhem, injuries, and brut strength that these cycling men/machines possess.  Quite frankly, I cannot even imagine how much food each of the cyclists consumes to make it through even part of a single stage.  Although the gentleman below is obviously not participating in the Tour, my bet he has pretty decent quads driving this rig around the streets of Bratislava.
 

Bicycles are everywhere in Europe.  They are major means of transport.  No wonder the Tour means so much to so many.

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Gustavo, Kay C., Catherine S., Paule, Rebecca, Steve, and M. Fred for your comments last week.

I found this quotation in the beginning of a book I am reading and thought it appropriate.

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."    W. B. Yeats

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Each spring, I plant basil seeds in pots in order to have an ample supply of it for pesto.  And I always planted parsley in Taos County as well.  It was quite hardy and apparently either reseeded or wintered over in our raised beds, so it seemed a good idea to plant some here as well.  The first year's crop evolved into a second, third, and now fourth year.  It really is quite a resilient and lovely plant.  Normally, I will clip some for a number of different dishes.  When I looked down at it yesterday, I saw a caterpillar or worm on it.  At first blush, I thought it was a tomato worm, but should have known better because they are quite green and have horns.  This particular caterpillar was different.  Papilio polyxenes or the American (or black) swallowtail reminded me of a koshare, with its clown stripes and dots of color.  The striping is simply perfect.  Doing research, I learned that their preferred food is parsley.  What are the chances that this caterpillar shows up in a pot in our yard, when probably no one else in the neighborhood is growing parsley? Apparently decent because now two caterpillars are here, and I figure it is worth the sacrifice of some parsley for the beauty that it is and will be as a butterfly and pollinator.   

If you look carefully or zoom in, you can see little nails or grippers that firmly hold the parsley stem as they chew.  They truly are little eating machines.  

Quite frankly, I can't wait to see the butterflies in their fullness next month.  

Thanks to Sara, Jean & Sam, Marilyn R., Catherine, TTT, Steve, Barbara F. R., and Marilyn G. for writing this week! 

until next Monday

DB

a passion for the image©

It seems to be the case that hollyhocks grow and thrive in poor soil, the same that many gardeners try desperately to amend year after year.  But don't be fooled.  They are quite choosy.  A bit like paintbrush, which is very site-specific, hollyhock seeds plant themselves where they will grow and thrive, despite where we think they should be growing.  Which made me wonder about a plant in the gravel at the corner of a house several blocks away.  It does not appear to have been planted.  And the leaves were different than any hollyhocks I had seen here.  They looked more like Boston ivy leaves, coming to a point at the end rather than round.  On further inspection, I had to think this was a hibiscus or Rose of Sharon rather than a hollyhock.  In the same family (Malvaceae - the Mallow family), they look much more tropical (as most hibiscus are) than hollyhocks, probably because the hundreds of species like the tropics.  But we are lucky to have some that grow in Albuquerque and Santa Fe (with additional warmth from southern exposure and warm walls).  The following two images are of the local Rose of Sharon, looking quite Hawaiian. 

    Hibiscus/Rose of Sharon 2 7/24

Hibiscus/Rose of Sharon 3 7/24
 

Compare those to the hollyhock images that follow.  It seems to me that new colors appear every year.  There must be some mixing and matching going on among the species and subspecies.

Hollyhocks 3 7/24
Hollyhocks 1 7/24
 

Even the white flowers shine.  There is a lot going on here.

Hollyhocks 6 7/24
Hollyhocks 2 7/24
 

The color of the hollyhock flowers below is magnificent, elevating themselves to royalty in the garden.

Hollyhocks 7 7/24
 

But they also serve the photographers working in black and white well.

Hollyhocks 4 7/24

My gratitude goes to Jean and Sam, Marilyn R., Tim, TTT, Victoria, Barbara F. R., Steve, Ingrid, and Marilyn G. for writing about last week's blog.

I hope the summer continues to present plentiful photographic opportunities in your lives.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

But yesterday morning, while having coffee on our small patio, there were very little creatures crawling around on the sandstone.  Strange things happen after a hard rain in New Mexico and Saturday night, there was a righteous thunderstorm, yielding 1.05 inches of rain.  Literally, things crawl out of many places after it rains in earnest.  On closer inspection, Fred noticed that they were snails.  Knowing full well that some of you may think of snails as the bane of your existence, I nonetheless had to photograph them just because we have never had them anywhere we have lived.  And they were really, really small.  So in addition to the macro lens, a tape measure was required for scale.  Thus, both the snails and the agave blooms made it into today's blog.

Beginning with the agave, here is the beautiful desert plant as most people see it in a native environment....

agave

...or in a garden

And from this emerges a 10 foot high bloom stalk that yields heaven for bees and other pollinators.  Everything that appears to be a dark spot on the image is a bee in motion.  Looking at the flowers, I feel connected to ancient history.

Agave in bloom 6 2024

Agave in bloom 4 2024
 

Agave in bloom 3 2024 Agave in bloom 2 2024 Agave in bloom 5 2024

Moving on to another ancient creature, the humble snail.  These gastropods have been around since the Paleozoic era, some 520 million years ago.  To catch these little wonders, I used a macro lens and a fill flash.

Snails 1 2024

Looking closely, you can see the "snail trail" left by the foot as a communication tool for other snails.  

Snail 4 2024 Snails 3 2024

 With two thunderstorms yielding 2.54 inches here June (not a lot for many parts of the world but for the drier climes of New Mexico it is substantial), I await more oddities to photograph as July begins.

Thanks to Tim, Lawrence, Jean & Sam, Larry & Carol M., M. Fred, Catherine, Steve, Barbara F. R., Kay, and Ingrid for commenting on last week's blog.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

This week, I was not a fly on the wall, but a dragonfly on the wall did capture my attention.  My knowledge of many species in the insect world is somewhat lacking, so when I noticed the dragonfly, not only did my camera emerge, but after downloading the first collection of images, I returned to do research.  Because the dragonfly stayed in the same location for hours, I was able to photograph it at four different times that day.  As far as I can tell, I saw my first Variable Darner or Aeshna interrupta.  It is in the family Aeshnidae, and according to the Montana Field Guide, darners are among the largest and fastest-flying North American dragonflies.   Wikipedia indicates that the variable darner is native to the mountains of New Mexico, among other places including Alaska, and the Northern Territories, New Hampshire, and Michigan.  One of those widely scattered insects. Still, it was exciting to see one at close range and have the opportunity to photograph it.

Dragonflies have heads (with compound eyes), thorax, (which looks like some sort of tool for automobile repair) and abdomen - the multicolored sections with two dark colored things (technical term) - at the end.  They are the Cercus/clasper and the Epiproct, which are identifiers of the male of the species.  There will not be a test, I promise.

Butterflies and dragonflies 5 2024

 I never realized until seeing it in close proximity that the wings are so incredibly reflective.  Absolutely pure and beautiful design courtesy of nature.  The first three photographs in the series were made around 10:45 in the morning, when the wall on which I found the dragonfly was still in the shade, but enough light was coming from opposing surfaces to light the wings and make them reflective.  
 

Butterflies and dragonflies 1 2024

Butterflies and dragonflies 2 2024

At 11:50, the refraction of light through the wings onto the textured wall was something I simply could not ignore.
Butterflies and dragonflies 3 2024

The light had changed enough at 1:30 in the afternoon that the stained glass effect of the wings warranted another and very different take. 

Butterflies and dragonflies 4 2024

Now that northern hemisphere summer is here in earnest, I hope each of you has plentiful opportunities to witness what it has to offer.  

Many thanks to Orlando, Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Robert, Sara, TTT, Catherine, Jean, Lisa S., Steve, Dick & Carol, and M. Fred for writing this week. 

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Flowers - hollyhocks double white 1 2024 Flowers - hollyhocks double pink 2 2024 Flowers - hollyhocks double pink 1 2024 Flowers - hollyhocks double white 2 2024
 

The story of the hollyhock is far from exclusive to New Mexico.  Bruneni (again in the Santa Fe Botanical Garden article), "Alcea, is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae.  They are native to Asia but are high adaptable to different climates and are now found throughout the United States and eastern Canada.  They were first mentioned in England in "Grete Herbal" by John Gerard in 1597 as arriving in Britain in 1573, probably from China by way of Palestine."   After reading this, I will never see the hollyhock, which seems so iconic to Santa Fe gardens, in the same way.  Today's blog features a small sampling of the flowers.  There are so many that another blog featuring them may be in the offing at a later date. 

Flowers - hollyhocks fuchsia 2024

Flowers - hollyhocks pink 1 2024

Flowers - hollyhocks yellow 2 2024

Flowers - hollyhocks yellow 1 2024

After all of the colors that seem to exist within the body of the genus, the white ones make their own statement, including a bee photo bomb.

Flowers - hollyhocks white 1 2024
 

Flowers - hollyhocks white 2 2024

 

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Tim, Pauli, Kay C., Catherine, Sara, Orlando, TTT, Louise, and Steve for commenting on last week's blog.

I hope your Summer Solstice week (on Thursday) is filled with all the good things that mark summer, including hollyhocks!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Aspen Vista/Santa Fe Ski Area road rock pile

We were unaware of a companion in the rocks until it appeared as we were resting and enjoying the view.  Affectionately known as a GMGS, this golden mantled ground squirrel had grown up on snacks from hikers.  Had it been able to speak human, it would have asked us what was on the menu.  Regardless, its request was pretty obvious.

Animals - golden mantled ground squirrel 1 2024
 

Animals - golden mantled ground squirrel 2 2024

Animals - golden mantled ground squirrel 3 2024
 

Along the road were a number of late spring/early summer flowers.  There is going to be a bumper crop of wild strawberries this year.  I had not noticed walking on the way up that distributed within their numbers were also Canadian violets.  The retina-burning brightness of the white at high altitude is stunning, not to mention the clarity of the flower's center.  Almost like an eyelash winking at you.

Flowers - Canadian white violet 1 2024 Flowers - Canadian white violet 2 2024

Mountain parsley is scattered along the road...

Flowers - mountain parsley 2024

as is the western wallflower, on which painted lady butterflies (I trust you will correct me if that is wrong, Clyde) were feasting.

Butterflies - Painted Lady on western wallflower 1 2024

This painted lady was working on a dandelion.
Butterflies - Painted Lady on western wall flower 2 2024

Because of the lack of wind, dandelions that had gone to seed were perfect in shape and detail.

Flowers - dandelion seed head 1 2024

Finally, the early afternoon light was playing on a scarlet paintbrush in the shade of aspens.

Flowers - scarlet paintbrush 1 2024   

Thanks to Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., TTT, Steve, Catherine, and Ingrid for commenting on the blog site this week, and to others who comment via email, text, phone, or in person.  It is always good to hear from you.  I hope you have an excellent week of photography and exploration!

until next Monday,

DB

  a passion for the image©   

I have been curious about the fact that the flowers, and actually stems of all Penstemons, are quite hairy.  Apparently, the hairiness is a way to encourage bees and insects to go deeper into the flower.  So while you are viewing the photographs, check out all the little hairs that grace the flowers.  The following images are of Penstemon (beardtongue) Red Rocks.  You can see the little hairs all over the flowers.

Flowers - Penstemon "Red Rocks" 4

Flowers - Penstemon "Red Rocks"2

I made a few adjustments to this particular image, giving it a more painterly look.

Flowers - Penstemon "Red Rocks" 1

Flowers - Penstemon "Red Rocks" 4
 

We had quite a few Rocky Mountain penstemon plants at our place in Taos County and brought a few with us to Santa Fe,  They have been thriving for four years.  I am always torn about how to describe their look - The Rolling Stones "Hot Lips" logo, the whales I see in the buds, or just plain alien creatures.  

Flowers - Penstemon "Rocky Mountain" 1
 

Another image made painterly.

Flowers - Penstemon "Rocky Mountain" 2

Flowers - Penstemon "Rocky Mountain" 3

Finally, the Penstemon pinifolius.  This penstemon makes tidy mounds of red-orange tubes, attracting insects and hummingbirds alike.  

Flowers - Penstemon pinifolius 1 Flowers - Penstemon pinifolius 2

You can still find a wide selection of growing things through the High Country Gardens website, https://www.highcountrygardens.com/?gad_source=1
 also a creation of the Salmans.  The plants are always superb and arrive in perfect condition.  Even in our less than desirable soil, they never cease to thrive.  Thanks, David!  You left the world quite a legacy.

And my gratitude to Terry T., Ann A., Veronica, TTT, Victoria, Brenda, Peggy, Sam & Jean, Catherine, Christine, Barbara F. R., Steve, and Lisa for your kind words this week.

Go forward with cameras and phones in hand to capture images of your own world during this first week in June.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

A friend of mine attended a wedding in Lake Tahoe two weekends ago and was kind enough to send photographs from the wedding.  Two photographers and a videographer documented the event, and the images are stunning.   It made me think about the weddings and engagement events I have photographed over nearly 50 years, and how important they really are.  If the couple remains together throughout their lives (or not), chances are, few things from the wedding or commitment ceremony - be it lavish or intimate - make it through what are probably multiple moves, and natural disasters effecting peoples' homes and lives.  (Some brides keep their wedding dresses.  The one shown below has probably been kept in an elaborate box.)  But the past week and weekend have been an example of the havoc nature can add to life.  Chances are, photographs remain in some format, representing a singular moment in time.  

Bride at South Fork, Colorado

Weddings - Robin James

So my mission for the last three days was to take a deep dive into my assorted photographic formats - CDs, digital, slides, and prints - in order to make my website "wedding" gallery as interesting and impactful as it can be.  More is not necessarily better.  I was looking at the the best for the gallery, and it was full of far too much.  Remembering, I include a few of the  most interesting, funky, and lovely of almost 50 years of wedding and event photography.

engagement shoot with Jessica and Joe along the Santa Fe River
Engagements - Jessica and Joe at Santa Fe River

  engagement shot,  Ashley and Gene, Taos, New Mexico
Ashley and Gene engagement photographs

Not all wedding photographs feature both bride and groom, as the photo below demonstrates.  It features the groom with the flower girl, and is one of my favorites.

Grubb-Trujillo wedding 2011

bridesmaid along the windy Rio Grande del Norte in southern Colorado

WEP - Wettig-Davis wedding (11 of 12)-2

a work of art in itself, the wedding cake

Babb-Varianien wedding final-101

Kara and Eero at Prairie Star, Santa Ana Pueblo near Albuquerque

Kara and Eero

Christie and her father Earle, greater Los Angeles area

bride and her father

Jessica and Joe at Leaping Deer Ranch in Sapello, New Mexico

Joseph and Jessica in his head

Cathy and Javier, Hannagan Meadow Lodge, White Mountains, Arizona

Hannagan's Meadow bride and groom

WEP - Watkins-Telles wedding (4 of 11)

As I wait for Zenfolio to complete their weekend's work on the website platform along with the shift to an archival system, I will continue to make my galleries more interesting and less cluttered.

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Victoria, Jean & Sam, Steve, Rebecca, Bill P. Christina W., and Marilyn G. for writing this week! 

I hope you had a safe, thoughtful, and peaceful Memorial Day weekend, and that the week ahead opens a summer of photography, good work, friends, and family to you.

until next Monday,

db

a passion for the image© 

Flowers - iris 1 2024

Flowers - iris 2 2024

According to the website Color Wheel Artist, "A Tint is sometimes also called a Pastel. But to be  precise, Color Theory defines a True Tint as any Hue or mixture of pure colors with only White added."  To demonstrate, I include a bud of the combine hybrid "Early Bird Yellow" below.

Flowers - columbine (yellow) 1 2024

As far the Swallowtail Columbine is concerned, the flowers are yet a different tint of yellow, which also changes as the flower opens and evolves.  This bud lets us know that the flower will be yellow, but the tints can be very different as demonstrated below in the shots of the maturing bud and of the nearly open flower.   

Flowers - columbne (Swallowtail) 3 2024  

Flowers - columbine (Swallowtail) 2 2024

Flowers - columbine (Swallowtail) 1 2024

Thanks to Lawrence, Christina, Jean & Sam, TTT, Marillyn R., Rebecca A., Barbara F. R., Steve, Catherine, Karla, and M. Fred B. for chiming in on last week's blog!

With luck, all of you reading today will be able to capture nature - either with your camera or as a memory - as the yellow of spring evolves.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

Rug 401

Navajo Chiefs Blanket motif, with hand-dyed cochineal and indigo wool from Rainbow Fiber Coop, natural white from iii dog farm, and natural dark grey from Tierra Wools

Rug 401

Detail, Rug 401

Rug 401 detail

Rug 402

made of 100% Navajo-Churro wool, cochineal from Rainbow Fiber Coop, as well as natural dark and light grey, and dyed Tierra Amarilla from Tierra Wools 

Rug 402

Rug 403

100% Navajo-Churro Wool from Tierra Wools.  The top and bottom panels of the rug are comprised of six different dye lots of Chile Colorado, while the center panel is natural light and dark grey.  The three panels are separated by Tierra Amarilla.  This rug is listed in the New Mexico True Summer Gift Guide.

Rug 403

Rug 405

It is made of 100% Navajo-Churro wool from the Rainbow Fiber Coop, with a field of natural dark grey, punctuated by cochineal motifs sometimes called Chinle Stars.   

Rug 405

Rug 405, under construction  

Rug 405 detail

Thanks to Barbara F. R., TTT, Tim, Jean & Sam, Steve, Catherine S., Rebecca A., and Ingrid for commenting on last week's blog.  

I hope some of you were able to photograph the northern lights courtesy of solar flares this weekend, and that the coming week is a more gentle transition into late spring and early summer.

until next Monday,

DB

 a passion for the image©  

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 1 2024  

As is always the case when I have camera in hand, my goal is to shoot from as many angles as possible.  The technique also enables me to view the spurs, which give the columbine a bit of an alien look.  In all the images below, you can clearly see the spurs.  What appears to be a glistening ball or blob on the end of each spur actually secretes nectar.  

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 5 2024

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 4 2024

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 6 2024

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 8 2024

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 9 2024

Flowers - Aquilegia 'Origami red & white 7 2024

Thanks to Victoria, Christina, Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Marilyn G., Steve, Charleen, and Carolyn S. for commenting this week!

I hope you are all "spurred on" to photograph your own world during the week ahead.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

tulip bud 2024 1

It doesn't take long for the buds to open, revealing all.  

Flowers - yellow tulip 2 2024

A little shadow play in the nearly unfurled bud.

    Flowers - yellow tulip 1 2024

Here is another specimen I had never seen before this year.  Again, I thought I had come close to a name but, alas did not.  We'll just have to settle on its looks!

Flowers - multicolored tulip 2024

I found this tulip in a local cemetery.  Again, clueless as to the specific name.  

Flowers - rose colored tulip in cemetery 2024

Last but not least, some different photographs of the one tulip I think I identified. It is a species tulip Tulip clusiana.  I am grateful to Tami for planting it!

Flowers - Tulip clusiana 1 2024

Flowers - Tulip clusiana 2 2024

Many of you know that I collection quotations.  I have an overflowing binder and another folder packed with them, in addition to Barlett's Familiar Quotations.  I just felt that the words below written by Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert was more than appropriate for spring and these times in which we are living.  He wrote it on the 2nd of May in 2009

"I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves happier, that is about the best we can do.  To make others less happy is a crime.  To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts.  We must try to contribute joy to the world.  That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances.  We must try."

Thanks to Jim and Louise, Victoria, M. Fred, Barbara F. R., Marilyn G., Catherine S., Minna, Steve, Ingrid, Ann, and Pater for your comments this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I actually cannot recall the last time I saw a peach tree in bloom.  But a text from a friend last week asking if I would like to photograph her peach tree sent me into action.  What a display of varying shades of fuchsia!

Peach blossom 2024 1

Peach blossom 2024 5

Although I had been shooting multiple photographs of crab apple blossoms as well as pear blossoms throughout the week, it wasn't until I really looked at this bud along with the flat open characteristics of the fully revealed peach flowers that something hit me.  They were a bit like some of the Austrian copper roses growing in older areas of Santa Fe.  The reason is because many fruit trees belong to the Rosaceae or rose family.  The family includes apples, peaches, pears, plums, almonds, and apricots, along with numerous others.  The family contains 2,500+ species.  The peach bud below was a beauty.

Peach blossom 2024 4  

Our neighbor, Carol's, pear tree, on the other hand, was a puzzle.  No one seemed to know what it was.  I spent hours over several days searching its characteristics on the internet and in numerous plant books without luck.  The closest I could come was either an ornamental pear tree or a crabapple.  The puzzlement was the fact that many ornamental pears were described as having blossoms that smelled like fish.  Her tree was just the opposite and had the most delightful smell for weeks.  Thankfully, another neighbor took a small sample to a local nursery where the person identified it.  

pear blossoms (ornamental) 2024 2

Masses of white blossoms, the petals of which fall like snow flakes, created a beauty of their own.

pear petals on water 2  

Then there were the crabapple trees.  Since their bloom period is what I would call time-sensitive, I never tire of trying to capture them in slightly different ways to show them to the world.  At the risk of boring you, below is a small collection.

crabapple blossoms 2024 3

Whether in sun, shadow, or silhouette, the clusters of flowers - near or from a distance - are a pleasure, and also offer some surprises.

crabapple blossoms 2024 8

crabapple blossoms 2024 10

crab apple blossoms and lady bugs 2024 1

crab apple blossoms and lady bugs 2024 2

crabapple blossoms 2024 6

Finally, just to demonstrate that the flowers are not always the prize, this flowering plum has a trunk that was definitely influenced by the predominant winds out of the southwest.

Plum (ornamental) tree 2024

Thanks to Barbara for texting a photo of her peach tree and asking if I wanted to photograph it.  I am also grateful to Charleen, Ingrid, Terry T., Jean & Sam, Kay, Catherine, Steve, Rebecca, Marilyn G., Paule, Robert, and TTT for writing this week and for hanging hummingbird feeders.  May all of you be graced with blossoms and birds of many colors in the coming days.   

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The black-chinned hummingbird is the next to arrive in the northern part of the state.  Even if they have to remain in stasis during a spring snow storm, as were the ones shown below.  They were just starting to awaken.  I took advantage of the situation to shoot some images.

hummingbird collection for blog 1

hummingbird collection for blog 2

In flight, as all hummingbirds are, they are mind-boggling machines.  According to hummingbirdcentral.com, New Mexico has broad-tailed and black-chinned currently in residence short of an Anna's and two rufous sightings near Las Cruces.  They winter in the Seattle area, so it is no surprise they are not residents in New Mexico.  From Houston to Chicago and Florida to New York, the entire map is covered with Anna's hummingbird sightings.  No photographs of those either but the black-chinned keep us company.    

hummingbird collection for blog 4

hummingbird collection for blog 3

The great majority of photographs I shot over 20 summers were rufous.  They usually arrived in July, creating chaos at the four one-quart bird feeders we hung every year.  It made the aerial circus that much more interesting.  

hummingbird collection for blog 7

hummingbird collection for blog 6

hummingbird collection for blog 5

There is a reason they are called rufous which means reddish-brown in color, but sometimes the males are day-glow orange, as is the dude below.

hummingbird collection for blog 8

Looking at the map in Hummingbird Central, it appears there are hummers almost everywhere in the United States right now, so I hope you see or hear one speeding by in your neighborhood soon.  Many in the world have never seen one, and when they do for the first time, the fascination is endless.  May it be that way for you upon seeing the first one of the season!

Thanks for Louise, Tim, Jean & Sam, Carol M., Lawrence, Barbara F. R., Victoria, Steve, and Tomas for commenting on last week's blog.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@

But it was little things in the garden that caught my attention.  When winds were light, I headed out with my camera to take advantage of the calm.  The Daffodil 'Tazetta Minnow' are sweet little things measuring barely an inch in circumference, and were among the first garden blooms this year.

Daffodil Tazetta Minnow 3

Daffodil Tazetta Minnow 1

Daffodil Tazetta Minnow 2  

Then there are the Ornithogalum dubium or Star of Bethlehem.  Part of the asparagus family and like the asparagus, they produce nice stalks of flowers.  

Ornithogalum Star of Bethlehem 3

Ornithogalum Star of Bethlehem 1

Ornithogalum Star of Bethlehem 2

Last but definitely not least, here is a Vinca bloom just awaiting its closeup in the detritus next to a water catchment container hose bib.

Vinca

My thanks for Christina W., Tim, Suz, Veronica, Barbara F. R., Kay, Jean & Sam, Lisa, Peggy, Catherine, Steve, Paule, and Robert for writing this week, to Cristina for providing some of the subject matter, and to all of you for reading and following my sometimes wildly diverse subject matter!

May the world never cease to amaze you.  Happy Eclipsing!  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

This week's blog began because I needed a watch.  I have always loved watches and when Fred suggested he buy me a watch for my birthday, I hemmed and hawed for a minute or two and went to the computer to search for watches made in America by American small businesses.  There were more small businesses than I expected and an astounding number of watches.  Dive watches, aviators watches, dress watches.  Reasonably priced to extremely expensive.  And I wasn't even looking for a digital time piece or smart watch.  Going through the lists of "best American-made watches", I was finding the same companies featured.  Many of the watches seem to be made for men or those with larger wrists.  When I stumbled upon The Waterloo watch at DuFrane Watches, I did wonder if it would simply be too big.  So my next step was to send an email to the owner and watch designer Steven Lee with a wrist measurement.  He responded very quickly with photographs and measurements of the watch and strap.  In my mind, that was a really good sign.  After several more questions answered almost immediately, I placed the order, despite the name Waterloo and Napoleon's defeat.  Why name a watch Waterloo?  As it turns out, Waterloo is the short-lived, original name for what is now Austin, Texas, and apparently, many businesses carry the name.  From Waterloo Sparkling Water Company and Waterloo Records, to the Waterloo Ice House, usage of it is very common.

Looking at the great product photography on the DuFrane website, it was truly crazy for me to think I could equal that, which I absolutely did not. But since I had told Mr. Lee I would send him some images, I spent a good chunk of time working on that evasive image.  It was an excellent photographic challenge, in which soft but balance light is the key.  The first image comes close, with natural brown Navajo-churro wool from Cedar Mesa Ranch in Dolores, Colorado.

watch product photo 1

The afternoon light in the image below is much too harsh, lending a more dramatic look, rather than soft.  On some level, it works.

watch product photo 5

Then there are the images of me wearing the watch.  My skin is of a certain age that lends mostly freckles and spots rather than smoothness.  Makes the rocks a perfect backdrop.  Fred shot these images. 

watch product photo 3

Since I started with a shot of the watch on wool, it just seem appropriate to include one my very multi-colored hair and the watch.

watch product photo 4

The light on the watch and rug is balanced enough to bring out the best in the watch.  This is Fred's latest rug, 403.

watch product photo 5

watch product photo 2

My thanks to Barbara F. R., Ingrid, Jean & Sam, Victoria, Terry T., Char, Kay, Marilyn G., Catherine, Sara, TTT, Steve, Pauli, and Rebecca A. for commenting this week, to Carol, Pater, and Fred for encouraging me to use this as a blog subject, and to Steven Lee and Fred for providing the watch and backdrops.  

Spring has definitely arrived in New Mexico as well as many other places in the northern hemisphere, and my hope is that all of you embrace it and its many joys in the coming weeks!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

apricot blossoms 2 2024

apricot blossoms 1 2024

apricot blossoms 3 2024

Suddenly, flying insects were showing up on the camera monitor.  A closer look indicated that honey bees were already in residence, primed for pollen procurement.  It seemed early for the bees as well, but this was due to my lack of observation.  Oh, they had been here alright.  I just hadn't noticed.  The hairs on these bees appear as if a fine barber had given them a buzz cut on top, while the end of their abdomens are shiny black.  The wings are beautifully delineated, with sections that almost look like stained glass.   

apricot blossoms and bee 3 2024

apricot blossoms and bee 4 2024

apricot blossoms and bee 1 2024

apricot blossoms and bee 2 2024

Thanks to Ingrid, Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Cristina W., Lisa S., Pauli, and Steve for checking in and commenting last week.  

With luck, each of you will be able to make some exciting and interesting discoveries while out with your smart phones and cameras this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

tulip foliage unfurling 1

tulip foliage unfurling 2

tulip foliage unfurling 5

tulip foliage unfurling4

tullip foliage unfurling 3

I hope that however you celebrate spring, your cameras and phones go with you to capture incredible shots - from northern lights in Finland to baseball around the world, and pickleball in Arizona and Mexico!

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Ann A., Jean & Sam, Carol and Larry M., Marilyn G., Debbie S., Lluvia, Victoria, Peggy, Steve, Char, & Brenda for commenting last week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Depending on the dish size, several can bathe together while others drink.  Note the juncos hanging around the side of the dish in the upper third and lower half of this photograph.  They particularly like to slurp water off plants and other objects as the drops fall.

This robin required a private bath.

So as many of you plan or begin spring travel, I hope that your cameras and phones will accompany you to document the season.

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Robert, Tim, Jean & Sam, Kay C., TTT, Marilyn G., Steve, and Rebecca for writing this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Walking through the Railyard and downtown areas, there is a wide variety of architectural adornment.  For example, the new dormitory at the New Mexico School for the Arts in the Railyard area has a combination of territorial style and art deco brick/tile parapets.  Generally, one or two layers of bricks are laid vertically, creating a sharp edging.  The Palace of the Governors and the Bataan Building are two examples of this style. But the School for the Arts has added two horizontal layers, giving the traditional design just a bit of an art deco look. 

Architecture - Santa Fe parapet treatment 1

This multi-layered parapet treatment with red tile graduating into a double stacked territorial, is followed by connected diamonds, and finished with angled uprights on the face of the building at 271 West San Francisco, near the Lensic Theater.

Architecture - Santa Fe parapet treatment 2

The shadow play of the architectural elements in the former Yoberri space, which now houses Henry and the Fish, definitely make the walls talk.

Architecture - Santa Fe papret treatment

The Lensic Theater, which is featured in the mosaic below created by youth artists from Fine Arts for Children and Teens (FACT) in 2003, reflects the pseudo-Moorish, Spanish Renaissance character of the building exterior.   The Lensic itself deserves a separate photo shoot and blog.   

Architecture - Santa Fe Lensic Mosaic

Demonstrating the fact that Santa Fe still carries some funk is Evaneglo's Cocktail Lounge "Santa Fe's favorite hangout and live music destination"near the Santa Fe Plaza on the corner of San Francisco and Galiseto.  Talk to anyone who has lived in Santa Fe since it was established in 1971 and, and I guarantee those walls will talk.

Architecture - Evangelo's

On the corner of Palace and Cathedral stands the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Museum of Contemporary Native Arts.  The Federal Building which was built between 1920 and 1922, and originally was the post office (along with other government offices), was renovated between 1990 and 1992 to house the museum. Like a number of the buildings in downtown, it was built of brick and reinforced concrete, and "the architects modeled the facade after the portico of Palace of the Governors and its central pavilion after the auditorium of Museum of Fine Arts."  (SAH Archipedia). The painting on the east side is the "graffiti inspired work of Yakita Starr Fields".

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts

Finally, the Allan Houser Art Park on the west side of the museum, currently features a mural by Ehren Lee Natay (Kewa Pueblo-Dine').

Architecture - Santa Fe - IAIA gate and mural

Thank you for going on this tour of Santa Fe with me.  And thanks to Marilyn G., Catherine, Steve, TTT, Barbara F. R., and Jean & Sam for your comments last week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I had actually been to both Lamy and Santa Fe on the train during my time as a Girl Scout.  It was a day-long, wonderful outing of which I have great memories.  The fact that the railroad spur line ended up in this place is a story unto itself, but the area known as The Railyard continues to change.  Thankfully, one of the original concepts for the area proposed by the Catellus Development Corporation, formed by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company, which called for the leveling of most of the buildings and removal of the train tracks, was rejected by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Commission and the City Council.  It also would have allowed buildings up to six stories high to be built, when heretofore the Eldorado Hotel was the tallest building. Its abrupt three story edifice in itself raised quite a stink.  I remember the years - decades actually - of wrangling and plans.  One thing about Santa Fe, for which I am eternally grateful, is that when it comes to the historic downtown area, things take time.  That is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to large development. Redevelopment of some of the surrounding areas, including the Baca Railyard, were completed first.  And, in the end, the Railyard still houses trains, including the Rail Runner that serves as transportation between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.  

A concise piece and video about the history of the area is contained in the link below.

https://sfrailyardcc.org/the-railyard/history/

The Sky Railway Adventure Train offers rides with meals and entertainment.

Santa Fe Sky Railway engine 2/2024

Given the time and planning things take in the greater Santa Fe historic area, it did not surprise me to hear of the massive discussions about the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary.  Designed by DNCA + StudioGP, its purpose was "to create an innovative structure that adapted an existing building as a showplace for the art of our time".   Its opening in September of 2023 drew huge crowds.  The original building on the site was a warehouse constructed in 1936, owned by the Charles Ilfeld Company.  In 1960, the building was sold to the state of New Mexico where it became the Records and Archive Center.  During our trips into Santa Fe from Taos County, where we were living at the time, we began to see bits and pieces of the building being chipped away and wondered what was happening.  A good portion of the building was eventually demolished, but the main two story wall on Guadalupe Street and its territorial style brick parapets retained as an homage to its original design. The metal louvres on both the north and south sides of the building give it a slightly abrupt and dramatic look.  Not a surprise to me in the least that the design instantly elicited a love-hate relationship from the community.

New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 2024 1

New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 2024 2

Windows on the south and east sides of the building window reflect the original Santa Fe Railway building, and other buildings along Guadalupe Street.

New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 2024 3

New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 2024 4

Vladam Contemporary has a few surprises, including exterior oscillating light displays, and recorded whale sounds.  After all, one of the missions of the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem is to provide a dedicated educational educational space lacking in the immediate downtown area around the Plaza. 

New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary 2024 4

https://www.nmartmuseum.org/vladem-contemporary/
 

But as the Railyard continues to alter its ego to include a new hotel in the former building of Outside Magazine on Market Street, the water tower tells it all.  This area was and remains firmly grounded in the railroad that originally prompted outside interest and brought people to the Capitol.

Old and new, there are still amazing spaces and places to explore in Santa Fe, complemented by the amazing and ever-present smell of food -from chile, bacon, and barbecue to baked goods and coffee.

Thanks to Minna, Barbara F. R., Jean and Sam, Victoria, Catherine, Steve for your comments last week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

architecture - spring walls 2024 1    

The juxtaposition of light and shadow always adds drama to an inanimate object.

architecture - spring walls 2024 2      

And little displays one can witness at the oddest times and places, make all photographers smile.  

architecture - spring walls 2024 3

The changes in light as we head toward spring reminds me of the great rock song  "Turn, Turn, Turn" released by the Byrds in 1965.  Almost word for word from the book of Ecclesiastes in the King James version of the Bible, the song was an anthem of the times, and it remains one of the truest explanations of life that I have read (not to mention some great, honest guitar work)

"To everything turn, turn, turn

There is a season turn, turn, turn,

And a time to every purpose 

Under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal,

A time to laugh, a time to weep

and the last three lines of the song sum it up

A time for love, a time for hate

A time for peace

I swear its not too late"

Not all the verses are given here, but you can find the song lyrics online, as well as the Bible verses.

Thanks to Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Steve, Marilyn G., Catherine, Ingrid, and Lawrence J. for your comments this week.

May you all feel the touch of spring (or autumn in the southern hemisphere) this week, and capture it with your cameras or in your beings!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Valentine's Day roses 2024 1

Valentine's Day roses 2024 2

These roses have so many petals tightly packed that they almost like flowing water.

Valentine's Day roses 2024 3

Valetine's Day rose 2024 4

My hope is that during these days that frequently feel very unsettled in the world, the week of love does indeed bring a bounty of love, joy, and peace to everyone!   Thanks to Barbara F. R., Marilyn R., Christina W., Robert, Mary G., Minna, Paule, TTT, Suz, Sandra B., Lisa S., Catherine S., Kay C., Charlie, Steve, and Claudia for your comments, and to Ingrid for your gift and inspiration this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Rug 399

Woven of 100% Navajo-Churro wool, this rug features natural indigo and cochineal, natural white, and natural dark grey.  The middle section design is called a Spider Woman Cross.   Fred wove the surrounding indigo wool in slightly more of an oval shape.  Zefren from the Shiprock area, dyed both the indigo and cochineal in this rug.  The images directly below are details of Rug 399.

Rug 399 detail 1

Rug 399 detail 3

Turning to Rug #400, Fred took Connie Taylor's words of wisdom during one of the first Wool Festivals in which he participated in 2005 at Kit Carson Park in Taos.  Connie said "Put the red one in front."  And she was absolutely correct.  Whether people are keen on having a large red rug in their homes or not, it certainly does gather attention.  400 is no different.  Bold and dramatic both in color and design, the weaving consists of wool sourced from three different flocks, two different mills, and eight different dye lots (one of them off of our kitchen stove top). With all the differences in wool and how it was spun, Fred feels it contains a bit of  Wabi Sabi, or in Japanese, imperfections.  

Rug 400 detail 2

The image below shows how the variations in color are used to create "mesas" and the space in between.

Rug 400 detail 3

And here is Rug # 400, in all is red glory!

Rug 400

But milestones come and go.  Not to burn daylight, here is Fred, once again, obscured by warp, using his instrument to make the rhythm of his next project.

Coasters 2

Pure tapestry, each of the eight pieces required its own balls of wool.

Coasters 1

A huge heaping of thanks to so many of you who have followed Fred's weaving journey, and helped along the way!

Thanks also to Barbara F. R., Sam & Jean, Steve, Victoria, Minna, Suz, Char, Robert, Sara W., Gustavo, Christina, Lawrence, Char, and Ingrid for adding to last week's blog with your comments!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

 "Whiteness and all gray Colors between white and black, may be compounded of Colors, and the whiteness of the Sun's Light is compounded of all the primary Colors mix'd in a due Proportion."  Sir Isaac Newton, 1704.   His book Opticks was published in 1704.  It should be on my reading list...

But let me digress a bit.  Every person who has a taken a photograph - whether with a camera or a phone - knows that her or his own eyes, light, and the piece of equipment are essential elements of the image that is ultimately produced.  And when one of those elements is missing or behaving oddly, things are not quite right.  The only reason I began delving into the subject matter again is because I had a cataract removed this week, and the results were quite astonishing.  Everyone I have talked with says that, but the results are hard to explain.  So my mission was to try to come up with a clear explanation of the difference in the colors that I was seeing, and that was a tough one.  

As wonky as it is, I now have the ideal laboratory for experimentation - one eye containing a brand new lens and the other with my birth lens, aged by a few years.  By closing one eye and keeping the other open, I can instantaneously compare the view.  So to begin the work, I turned again to my favorite source on the subject of color - The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair.  I proceeded to search the book trying to identify one that most closely resembled how my eye was being filtered.  St. Clair's "white" category, seemed to include the closest matches, although given variations in the book printing process, none really matched.  Isabelline leans more toward a pale yellow, whereas whitewash feels peachy to me.  Chalk is close, but not a true fit.  Which took me to Shirley Williams' "Color Wheel Artist" website, discovering the intricacies of Hue, Tint, Tone, and Shade. As a photographer rather than a painter, my knowledge of color is mostly experiential, enhanced by some reading, and not color theory.  So I turned to my photographs to see if one existed that could duplicate the filtration color.

Was the fall hollyhock bloom, with its bright yellow-green throat and yellow-white petals a possibility?  Sadly, no.

hollyhock, late fall

How about the curved-bill thrasher in her cholla cactus nest?  A bit dark and smokey.

Birds - curve billed thrasher 4

Any part of the mushroom show below, gill to center?  Nice variations in color but it was not close enough.

The image of Great Sand Dunes in Colorado also has a wide variety of possibilities.  Getting closer.  

Great Sand Dunes

But the one photograph that seemed to replicate the filtration is one of wildfire smoke I took on 29 April 2022.  The gradation from the right hand side to the left in the image shows blue sky being slowly obscured by a graduated filter of St. Clair's colors of Isabelline, chalk, and beige.  The contrail adds a special touch.

forest fire smoke 29 April 2022

When a wildfire has been extinguished and is no longer burning, the smokey haze clears, resulting in a stunning brightness and blueness in the sky. It is truly incredible.  Exactly like having a lens with many miles on it removed.  I am lucky to live in a time and place in which there are medical professionals and facilities available to make cataract removal possible.  And I am grateful to have such excellent auto-focus features on my cameras in this time of vision transition!
 

"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most." - John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice 

Thanks to Christina, Barbara F. R., Tim A., Minna, Brenda M., Ann A., David O., Charlie K. C., Catherine, Steve, Jean & Sam, Lucia, and Charleen for writing this week.     

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The purple or so-called red onions, have a deep rich color, with which I am certain a person could dye fabric.  The stems left to dry add gnarly character.

onions, purple 1 2024

As is the case with the flavor, the shape and color of the humble onion has multiple layers.

onions, purple 2 2024

I like this particular image because the dried growth ends of the onion remind me of a dirt road.  It is hard to tell where it leads.

onions, purple 3 2024

The handmade basket by fiber artist Donna Coates, complements the onion veins.  The two photographs that follow just let the yellow onion show off a bit.   

onions, yellow 3 2024

onions, yellow 2 2024

onions, yellow 1 2024

Shall we all chop the humble onion, cook it the way we choose, and by doing so stave off the chill of winter?

The days are getting longer.  Here in northern New Mexico, there will be 1 minute and 28 seconds more daylight today.  Near the border of the United States and Canada, it will be 2 minutes and 23 seconds longer.

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Catherine S., Christina, Jean & Sam, Steve, Marilyn G., and Rebecca for commenting this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

Roses, in all their glory, make compelling photographic subjects.  From bud to initial and full bloom, and even as they dry and take on that aged copper patina, they offer beauty, ready to be captured.  Although it is frowned upon in the world of Feng Shui, I tend to keep some dried roses just for the subtle color and shapes of their chameleon selves.  Put together with the mottled mini-landscape partially melted snow provides, they shine as if in original bloom.  Here are two images of a dried miniature rose bud from last March.  In all of the photographs here, the granular snow is a big player.

aged roses and snow 4

aged roses and snow 3

A lone petal on the snow carries shades of pink and burnished orange.

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The full stems with buds and leaves

aged roses and snow 2

Two different angles and a slightly darker take on the roses adds a bit of mystery.

aged roses and snow 1

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And finally, a very Victorian-looking rose, shares its subtleties.   aged roses and snow 6

As I said in my mini-book Complex and Sublime:  flowers through the lens, I beg to differ with Gertrude Stein who said "A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose", which they are.  But then.....

Thanks to Marilyn G., Gustavo, Jean & Sam, Char, Steve, Barbara F. R., Marilyn R., Dianne J., Robert, Lucia, Kay C. for writing last week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Early woven clothing, rugs, and wall decorations share certain characteristics.  Historically, they were made of wool, and many still are.  Chimayo and Navajo weaving carry designs and colors that may be specific to certain areas, just as Scottish tartans identify a community.  And this from Christina Garton writing for the magazine Handwoven explains a lot.  "All tartans are plaid.  However not all plaids are tartan!  Both plaids and tartans are woven of stripes that meet at 90-degree angles. Tartans have an identical pattern of stripes running vertically and horizontally, resulting in overlapping square grids."  (Handwoven 18 October 2022).   But there is something else that make tartans unique.  Thinking about how many modern homes are built is helpful.  They have an upright structure, for instance of wooden 2x4 or 2x6 studs/uprights onto which dry wall or other siding is attached.  These provide the skeleton or frame of a house.  When it comes to weaving, the warp or wool strung on a frame or loom serves the same purpose as the 2x4s.  The  wool weft is a little like the dry wall or siding which is then applied to the warp in various colors and designs.  In Southwestern weaving, the warp skeleton then disappears within the body of the weft.  One can only see the warp at the top and bottom of the weaving.  That is why Rio Grande, Chimayo, and Navajo weaving and most modern weavings are called weft faced.  Tartans are made using what is called a "balanced weave" wherein both warp and weft are visible.  Below is a fine MacLean of Duart red muted tartan swatch. 

MacLean of Duart red muted  

A personal disclaimer.  I struggled with geometry in school, and weaving is filled with geometry.  So I will just add a couple of things that make tartans distinctive.  "The plaid of a tartan is called a sett.  The sett is made up of a series of woven threads which cross at right angles."  Jeff Ezell, Heraldry Crests. heraldryandcrests.com  "Tartan is recorded by counting the threads of each colour that appear in the sett. The thread count not only describes the width of the stripes on a sett, but also the colours used. For example, the thread count "K4 R24 K24 Y4" corresponds to 4 black threads, 24 redthreads, 24 black threads, 4 yellow threads. The first and last threads of the thread count are the pivot points."  I admit I have yet to wrap my head around that part, but for those of you who can and are interested, the link above will lead you to the really detailed and excellent posting by Jeff Ezell.  

In the mean time, visuals might help.  This is a muffler woven in Ireland, actually.  It is a Black Stewart tartan.  Looking at the warp ends (fringe), you can see the sett and how the weft is worked into the warp.  

  Black Stewart

Black Stewart color sets

Given the intensity of the red in this tartan, it is hard to believe it is also a MacLean of Duart, as is the tartan in the first photograph.  Frequently, tartans have multiple styles with different colors, including ancient, modern, muted, dress, and hunting (usually darker for camouflage purposes). 

MacLean of Duart red

Here is yet another MacLean, with the same sett but the weaver has chosen to substitute a maroon or burgundy color yarn for the bright red.  

Maclean tie

The Black Watch tartan (a regimental tartan also worn by coachmen and servants in the late 1800s ) is comprised of black, dark green, and navy blue yarn.

Black Watch tartan
 

One of the most frequently seen tartans is the Royal Stewart.  Shortbread lovers will recognize it from the boxes.

Royal Stewart

Finally, a photograph of the New Mexico tartan, officially registered in 1996, with the colors of our state flag nicely included in its setts.

New Mexico Tartan     

Thanks to Char and Robert for getting me rolling on this, and to Fred for the geometry lesson!

Starting out the New Year right were Victoria, Christine, Tim A. Minna, Gustavo, Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Lisa S., M. Fred, Tomas, Catherine S., Steve, Rebecca, and Ingrid who wrote and commented this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The first is a 10 x 8 book titled Geological Portraits:  photographic memories of some extraordinary places.

photo books 1    

photo books 2

The second and third are Complex and Sublime:  flowers through the lens.   I printed two different sizes - one 7 x 7 and the other in Blurb's new "mini-book" version which is 5 x 5.  That required some adjustment of photo placement on the 7 x 7 edition, but it was all part of the learning experience.  Again, both are soft cover, and the mini has a matte-finished cover.  It is a perfect little jewel to keep on a desk, side or coffee table for a spurt of color and refreshment.

photo books 3

photo books 4

photo books 5

Finally, here is a photograph of the trio.

photo books 6

You can check out the first several pages of the book by clicking on the link below and/or purchase them if you are so inclined.

Member Profile: Daryl Black | Blurb Booksblurb.com

Thanks for Orlando, TTT, Marilyn R., Christina, Barbara, Steve, Jean & Sam, Lawrence, Ingrid, Catherine, Rebecca, Claudia, Minna, Robert, and Marilyn G. for rounding out 2023 with your comments.  I hope that 2024 is year that becomes a bit more peaceful and one wherein kindness is in greater supply.  May all of you find your creative juices bubbling over like a well-filled glass of champagne! 

until next Monday,

DB
 

a passion for the image©

Flowers - amaryllis 26 2022.jpg

Flowers - amaryllis 28 2022.jpg

And to complete the Christmas wish, The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.

Flowers - amaryllis 18 2022

Thanks to Marilyn G., Minna, Jean & Sam, Steve, Barbara F. R., Lisa S., and Rebecca for your blog comments about last week's blog.

Best wishes for a gentle and joyous week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Standing stones in the shadow of Ben Lawers on the outskirts of Killeen, Perthshire, Scotland.

standing stones near Killin, Pethshire, Scotland in the shadow of Ben Lawers 1991Scanner

All of this leads to the fact that Thursday 21 December, is the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.  It occurs quite late in the day at 10:27 p.m., according to the Farmers' Almanac.  "The winter solstice marks the official beginning of astronomical winter (as opposed to meteorological winter, which starts about three weeks before the solstice). The winter solstice occurs once a year in each hemisphere: once in the Northern Hemisphere (in December) and once in the Southern Hemisphere (in June). It marks the start of each hemisphere’s winter season. When one hemisphere is experiencing its winter solstice, the other is simultaneously experiencing its summer solstice!"  Northern or southern, artificial or natural, it is all about the light.  We consider ourselves lucky to have electric lights, especially having lived with only kerosene lamps at one point.

After the sun rises, there are usually bright blue skies to greet us in New Mexico.  Occasionally, like this weekend, the sky was dotted with high cirrus clouds, and contrails (condensation trails), courtesy of the thousands of airplanes literally criss-crossing the sky.

solstice sky 2023 1

solstice sky 2023 2

When the sun does set, sometimes I am lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to catch and photograph it.

Then there are occasions when photographers simply have to look around their immediate environment to see the play of light and shadow against a wall to know where the sun is in the sky.  Very subtle gradations of white and gray fill the image below.  

I will be celebrating the return of light, be it only a matter of seconds per day.  But we can still revel in and relish the return of those seconds to our days!

Happy Solstice and thanks to Suz, Minna, Christina, Barbara F. R., Paule, Tim A., Karla P., Catherine, Steve, Geula, Lisa, Robert, Marilyn G., Jean & Sam, and Rebecca for touching base this week about the blog.

until next Monday,

DB

 a passion for the image© 

Rug 397 detail

To secure the ends of the weaving, he ties 366 knots on the top and bottom, and then reverses the process and ties 366 more knots also on the top and bottom, resulting in 366 square knots.  When he finishes that process, he adds another touch to the rug - maritime cabling - which secures the Damascus edge.  He ties one knot at the end of each cable for a total of 92 knots before the rug is complete. Complicated but extremely strong as well as beautiful.  
 

The photographs below show how he uses this treatment on the warp ends of his rug.  The first step after removing the rug from the loom is to trim the edges of the warp.  Notice the engineer's scale being using to keep the length exactly even.  

Rug 397 Damascus treament 1

Rug 397 Damascus treament 2

In the next three photographs, he is tying knots - the first knot in the warp, followed by the second.

Rug 397 Damascus treament 4

Rug 397 Damascus treament 6
Rug 397 Damascus treament 5

The cabling is the last step before the rug is completed.  You can see the structure or architectural elements in the finished piece.

Rug 397 Damascus treament 6

Rug 397

Fred has included a "Spirit Line" or ch'ihónít'i in Navajo, in the lower right hand corner of the rug.  A weaver puts her/his spirit into a piece, and the spirit line provides a pathway for the spirit to exit the work.

Rug 397 Spirit Line

Thanks to all of you who commented this week and for your often creative words, including Connie, Barbara F. R., Charleen, Christina, Terry T., Jean and Sam, Marilyn G., Veronica (who geeked out at the blog, a high compliment indeed), Steve, Catherine, and Sara.  May you be presented with wonderful photographable things and events this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

One of the reasons I bought the Fujifilm X-T5 camera is that it has the same knobs and buttons cameras of yore had before electronic menus were developed - ASA, f stops, shutter speeds.  I can change everything without having to scroll through an electronic menu.  The camera has the menus as well, but being able to do it on the fly is always handy unless you have tons of presets.  I shifted between 1/8th of a second and as high as 1/2,000 of a second to achieve certain effect while the snow was falling.  Starting with this shot, you can see what appear to be streaks on both the gate and the stucco walls.  That is the falling snow at 1/40 of a second.

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 1     

I basically shot close to 150 images, and during the process, I found 1/30 of s second more to my liking for the effect I was trying to achieve, which was a combination of the patterns in the existing patterns in the stucco and the long lines of falling snow.  The black and white image here demonstrates the early morning grayness that came with the snow.

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 7
 

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 4

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 2

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 5

In the image below, a bit of a breeze had come up, changing the angle of the streaks.

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 6

I also experimented with stopping the snow.  Even at 1/2000 of a second (a relatively short period of time for the light to come through the lens) the intensity and size of the flakes made a difference in the clarity.  It was a too dark at faster than 1/2,000 to provide any contrast between the snow and the wall.

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 3

Winter - snow and shutter speeds 2023 7  

Thanks to TTT, Barbara F. R., Connie, Steve, Lisa S., Rebecca, Ingrid, and Claudia for writing this week.

As the winter solstice approaches and nights are longer, I hope you still find time to be outside with camera in hand (after shoveling) to document the season.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I noticed the refraction of light caused by sun coming through a partially filled glass of claret, after only crumbs of chicken and dressing remained in the dish.  

Thanksgiving leftovers 2023 1

Thanksgiving leftovers 2023 2

My father once told me that his mother made pumpkin pie using carrots rather than pumpkin while his family was living in Canada raising wheat.  It makes sense.  Same color and texture after they are cooked and pureed.  And the traditional spices would probably make it impossible to tell the difference.  The pie slice in both photographs below was made with pumpkin puree poured into a homemade crust and baked.  Two different angles, with slightly altered natural light.

Thanksgiving leftovers 2023 4

Thanksgiving leftovers 2023 5

And last but not least, a gifted slice of pecan tart, as only the queen of these delicious desserts, Ingrid, can make it.  Layers of lusciousness!

Thanksgiving leftovers 2023 7

Thanks to Marilyn R., Barbara F. R., Kay C., Jean & Sam, Catherine, TTT, Lawrence, and Steve for commenting during this busy holiday week.

My hope is that everyone reading had the opportunity to celebrate, one way or another.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The Farmers' Market was packed with vendors both inside the Market pavilion and outside under pop-up tents.  And even at 9 a.m., many folks were already busy buying, eating, laughing, and talking in a boisterous and festive way.  I joined in the fray because I was on a mission to purchase dried Chimayo red chile powder, cream cheese, and honey from a local vendor.

But the route to achieve the mission is hardly ever a direct one.  In the outside booths, I found the chile, and numerous intricately crafted wreaths and ristras. If you have ever tried to construct these beauties, you have a pretty good idea how much work is involved.

Farmers' Market, Santa Fe 2023 1

Farmers' Market, Santa Fe 2023 2

Farmers' Market, Santa Fe 2023 3

Entering the Market building, I spotted the Camino de Paz School and Farm table.  Located in Santa Cruz, the students and teachers make THE best cream cheese on the planet, as well as several varieties of "quark".  The chile powder is a Chimayo seed variety grown by Jesus Guzman and his partner, Kate, who gave good advice on the heat of each kind.

Farmers Market Santa Fe 2023 6

Feeling pretty good about scoring two out of three items in a relatively short period of time, I had to stop and chat with the owners of CLC Pecans in Hobbs, who happen to be neighbors, and were reveling in the birth of their first grand child.  Walking a bit further, I found Steve at Buckin' Bee Honey and Candles. His table was attracting a lot of attention, so it would have been rude to strike up a conversation.  Just asked him if I could take some photographs and he kindly agreed.

Farmers' Market, Santa Fe 2023 5

Farmers' Market, Santa Fe 2023 4  

 Another neighbor, Gustavo, raved about how perfect Steve's honey was on bread with butter, so I had to try it.  I also promised him a loaf when I bake next time.    
 

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Christina, Minna, Lluvia, Jean & Sam, Catherine, Ann A., TTT, and Steve for commenting this week and to all of you for reading throughout the year.  I am grateful and thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

autumn leaves 2023 4

autumn leaves 2023 5

autumn leaves 2023 1

autumn leaves 2023 3

autumn leaves 2023 2

autumn leaves 2023 6

autumn leaves 2023 7

autumn leaves 2023 8

As you can see, nature is doing some truly weird and wonderful watercolor work on the trees.  Happy as a clam I am!

Thanks to all of you who commented this week, including Minna, Barbara F. R., Victoria, Dianne J., Jean and Sam, Terry T., Marilyn G., TTT, Steve, Pater Ingrid, and Rebecca.  With luck, all of you will be able to get out this week and enjoy the season, especially with your cameras and phones in hand!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

In addition to the Santa Fe Institute work and the other books on which I am been spending time curating, designing and writing, I have toyed for some time about using photographs for a black and white/food-themed set of coasters.  People still use coasters.  Whereas many have turned in their mouse pads and are using the trackpad/touchpad on their laptops, coasters are still part of the home dining and coffee tables.  I was also thinking in terms of food and beverages as part of the set.  Included in today's blog are some of the many possibilities.  The first is a beautifully cast door handle on the Bamberg Backerei in Bamberg, Germany.

A shop with numerous goodies in Bratislava, Slovakia

A New Mexico-made tart being served.

Ingrid's birthday tart 27 March 2022

Fancy dancing shoes deftly sculpted of marzipan in a Vienna shop.

Demel Eiscreme in Vienna

Glowing onions

A touch of vin rouge...

Wine

...with a touch of brie in Vienna

Just another sampling of the lovely randomness in a photographer's life. 

It was good to hear from so many of you last week including Barbara F. R., Tim A., Ann A., Lawrence J., TTT, Marilyn G. Steve, Catherine, Rebecca, and Carol.

I hope that the upcoming week contains some creative and interesting photographic adventures!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

That project aside, here is a selection of photographs for one of the books on flowers.  The image below was made in Arizona during a spring time bloom.  California poppies and owl clover are the dominant flowers.  

Foxglove saturated with fog in Point Reyes, California

Tulip and clouds

Salmon-colored poppy

Polish Spirit clematis

For this particular book, I wanted to feature flowers in both interesting natural settings and in quirky and traditional still life-inspired settings.  Curating like mad tends to focus one's eye on what might truly be interesting to others.  Which means you may see another blog of this ilk in the near future.

Thanks to Christina, TTT, Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Catherine, Steve, and Rebecca for commenting this week.  In New Mexico, we have moved from what has been one of the most spectacular autumns ever to early winter, overnight.  Hope all of you have been able to keep warm.

until next week,

DB

a passion for the image©

If you see a tree that is screaming red in New Mexico, it is probably a maple of some sort.  In years past, the leaves on this particular tree had more burgundy hues.  This year, orange and yellow are emerging.  Perhaps because of the dryness.  I don't know.  Regardless, it is quite the specimen.

Rather than having the sun behind me on this shot, it was in front of me, showing the backlighting on the leaves.  

Leaves on ash trees here are the first to fall.  They develop what I call "skirts" or layers of leaves that remain on the trees while others are blowing in the wind.  The leaves on this particular skirt went from pale yellow to a ruddy gold.  These first ash tree closeups begin to provide some elements of impressionism.

The aspen tree reflections in the images below definitely move closer to the small pinpoints characteristic of impressionistic brush strokes.

I suspect there will be additional photographs in future blogs featuring autumn.  It is evolving before us, and, after all, these were just "first impressions."

How wonderful it was to hear from so many of you last week, and especially to see the photographs you sent of the eclipse designs you saw on both the ground and walls.  I loved the fact that Connie used a colander as her pinhole camera.  In this world that sometimes seems very nearly insane, creativity abounds, and brings joy.  

Thanks to Char, Dianne F., Barbara F. R., Marilyn R., Minna, Claudia, Connie, TTT, Tim A., Brenda, Jean & Sam, Christina W., Victoria, Rebecca, Steve, Carol, Terry T., and Marilyn G. for writing this week!  It appears that in many places across the globe, the weather will continue to provide great opportunities for photography, and I hope you will be able to take advantage of it.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Some of you had asked earlier in the week whether I was going to photograph it.  I am not an astronomy photographer nor do I have the equipment to venture into the realm.  I leave that to the experts in the field and there are many amazing dark sky photographers who were out shooting with perfect placement for the eclipse.  But the eclipse morning had surprises waiting for us.

As we do during the weekend, we walked over to the middle school track about half a mile from our house to do our martial arts workout and a couple of jogs around the track.  Thought it might be interesting to do our routine during the eclipse, just to see what would happen and how it would feel.  There are 25 different forms we do, and about halfway through, I noticed that the big elm tree under which we practice was not exhibiting its normal shadow patterns.  In actuality, the shadows were becoming the shape of a three quarters or a waxing gibbous moon.  My original thinking was that I was imagining things.  The patterns were fascinating.  There were several people around the track who were awaiting the eclipse so I ran over to get them and show them the shadows.  Kid in a candy shop that I am, it seemed my responsibility to show people what was happening.  We kept on doing our forms when up walks our neighbor, Rebecca, and we showed her.  At this point the patterns were becoming thinner and thinner, revealing the fact that the sun was quickly being obscured by the moon, leaving slivers of light and shadow.  The tree leaves were acting as a pinhole camera, directly focusing the light.  Luckily, she had her phone and was kind enough to loan it to me.  I was totally unprepared for the occurrence. 

Annular eclipse 2023 1

Annular eclipse 2023 2

In this image, you can see the trunk and limbs of the trees in addition to the leaf shadow effect.

Annular eclipse 2023 3

Annular eclipse 2023 7

Given a bit more contrast, the slinky like shadows take on a rolling look.  Having heard that the our part of New Mexico would have roughly 86% darkness, it was interesting to witness the light in the sky very gradually change from the bright, autumnal light to what I would term semi-dark.  There was something about the eclipse that was deep and stirring.  Something from the early days of human evolution.  The event was both "smile" and "sigh" worthy.   

Annular eclipse 2023 4

Granted, these shots are not quite as sexy as the ring and darkened sun that many astronomy photographers got during the eclipse.  But thanks to our neighbor, I was able to capture a different take on this extraordinary event.

By the way, here are two screen shots of the sun being tracked by our solar panels.  In the first, a nice bell curve reflecting a normal, sunny pattern. 

Screenshot

The dip in the bell curve show below was the precise time when the eclipse began to happen over us.  

Screenshot

Thanks to all of you who read and commented on last week's blog, including Barbara F. R., Tim, Minna, Marilyn G., Jean and Sam, Claudia, TTT, Geula, Steve, Ingrid, Christina W., Sara, and to Rebecca for providing the tool to record the Saturday's eclipse.    So many of you have extremely busy lives while others are experiencing so many extenuating circumstances that my appreciation of your comments has increased exponentially!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

But I happily spent the weekend at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds for the Mountain and Valley Wool Association's 40th Wool Festival, as support staff for my husband, Fred, at his display space.  Photographic opportunities were in abundance and I took advantage of as many as I could.

As a casual observer, I could tell that many visitors were totally overwhelmed by the abundance and variety of fiber products, and an "inland sea of color".  Looking closer, one begins to sense the number of different skills present at the Festival.  Eric Wilson, a fiber artist from Cortez, Colorado, had (as his business card puts it) had hand-spun yarn, crochet and knit goodies, handprinted yarn and roving, and lastercut notions. Watching him work throughout the weekend, I would guess he spent a minimum of eight hours spinning a very fine yarn.  I asked if his foot and leg get tired.  His answered "You get used to it."

You can see how fine the wool is between his thumbs in this photograph.

Minna at Lana Dura renders wool into felt, using natural wool colors.  

The festival truly is a celebration of animal fiber, and the llamas and alpacas are always show stoppers, particular for children.  I finally got a simple answer about the visual differences between the two statuesque and beautiful animals.  Llama are taller but their ears look more like bananas, while the alpacas are shorter and have pointed ears.  The llama below is a magnificent creature, designed for roaming the pampas of South America.  With their long necks and flexibility, they are able to reach food wherever they find it.  

I loved this alpaca and its top knot, ever curious, always mewing to the world as if saying,  "Hmmm, what is going on here?  Is there something to eat?  Do I know this person?" 

Sheep shearing was also a featured element of the festival, and Tom Barr - an institution in sheep shearing around New Mexico and southern Colorado - has a skill like no other.  Upper body strength and flexibility are essential here, as you can see by his positions working with the sheep while shearing.  He has one of the sheep's legs in his left hand while shearing under parts with his right.  His knees are keeping the animal under control as well.

I always worry a bit about the horns...

Another thing I pondered as the Wool Festival ended Sunday afternoon, is how incredibly flexible all the vendors are.  From using all the fiber they can in any way they can, and not wasting a thing. to taking apart their exhibits, it was like a tribe of plains Indians, moving their camps across the prairie.  The process is quick, efficient, and part of who they are.  Not something most people recognize when they attend a fair.  But the fiber community, in many ways, is like a family of like-mind people who believe in what they do.  

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Steve, Catherine, Christina W., and Char for commenting on last week's blog, and all of you who stopped by the exhibit space this weekend - friends old and new!  And kudos to the vendors for their creativity and sharing it with the wider world.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I photographed this dancing gent eleven years ago when photographer and friend, Steve Immel and I had cameras in hand, exploring Santa Fe. Here are the "then" and "now" photographs. 

One mission was to shoot a decent photograph of a piece of obsidian, for one of the books in process. Much more difficult than I thought it would be.  But here is a test shot and finger selfie.

Because the statuesque Ponderosa pine trees have a mention in one of the books, I feature one here.

And the topping on the cake of randomness, is a hummingbird trumpet or zauschneria.

Zauschneria "Hummingbird Trumpet" 1 2023

Sincere thanks to all of you who commented last week, including Barbara F. R., Victoria, Connie, Kathryn and Gene, Anne O., Marilyn G., Lisa S., Tomas, Brenda, Steve, Ann A. Ingrid, and Catherine, and a huge debt of gratitude to Christina W. who provided a new home for Rug 386 this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Fred has been busy preparing work for the festival.  This week's blog features 8 of the 20 rugs he will have on exhibit.  The event is a good opportunity to see his work in the flesh and feel the ample texture and colors of rug-weight Navajo-Churro wool.    

Rug 344

Rug 370

Rug 370 product picture 1

Rug 375

Rug 375

Rug 381

Rug 381

Rug 386

Rug 386

Rug 391

Rug 391

Rug 392

Rug 392

Rug 393

Rug 393

The 40th MAVWA Wool Festival will be held on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, October 8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  The juried show is free and open to the public, and features the fiber work of 58 different fiber vendors as well as food vendors offering snacks, beverages, and lunch items.  

Thanks to Tim A., Christina, Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Deb R., TTT, Lucia, Terry T., and Steve for commenting on last week's blog!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

While talking and eating, we could watch the world to the south, and a storm developing.  Since one hardly ever knows where and when it will rain in New Mexico, we watched and waited.  It ended up being quite the storm, complete with probably two inches of rain and hail.  As happens here, after the sky had opened and literally poured its contents onto the land, the sun emerged.  And as good documentary filmmakers do these days, our host pulled out her drone and computer system, preparing it to fly.  While it was taking off, I took some shots of it before it left our sight.  She flew the drone over the arroyos, and we watched in real-time as the water tore through them and over the land to end up, eventually, in the Rio Chama.  The drone looks rather alien in nature. 

drone 2

drone 3

drone 1

As with any aircraft, take offs and landings are the most tenuous times.  On this particular day, not landing in the water was also a priority.  Notice in this image that the propellers are still in motion, as they are in the other photographs.

drone 4

Because the storm had been a good twenty minutes in length, the hummingbirds needed to eat after it exited.  Got to keep those tiny bodies and hearts going.  I suspect these are all female rufous hummingbirds, although they could have been broad-tailed, except I did not hear the audible trilling of their wings that is one of their identifiers.    

hummingbird in Medanales 2

hummingbird in Medanales 1

hummingbird in Medanales 3

And after the rain, and the flights of the hummingbirds and drones, I still marvel at and appreciate the great mysteries of how both fly.

Thanks, Cristina, for the wonderful real-time show.

And thanks to TTT, Larry & Carol, Charleen, Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Steve, Christina, Pater, Lisa S., Ingrid, Catherine, and Marilyn R. for your comments on last week's blog. Enjoy the changing seasons, wherever you are in the world.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Araneus gemmoides or the cat-faced spider, is part of a family of orb weavers.  The lifespan is said to be a few weeks, but this particular female must feel quite comfortable and happy here because we have been watching her for at least a month.  We know it is a female because of its very large abdomen, as you can see here.  She was skillfully moving around her web and drinking water from the strands.  The cat-faced spiders' legs are quite long and spindly, and although I did not capture her using her legs for weaving, you can see how see they are used to construct the web.  The photographs were made over three days and late evenings.  

spider, cat face 4

You can see how very delicate the fibers appear but they are incredibly strong.  The "hairs" on the spider are actually trichobothria or sensory organs. The abdomens has spinnerets or spigots from which the protein is emitted to create a silk that is so strong it withstands wind and rain, and human idiots walking through the web.

spider, cat face 2

spider, cat face 1

spider, cat face 5

And the pre-Halloween special is this odd image created with a flashlight after sundown.

spider, cat face 6

The reason it is called a Cat-Face spider

spider, cat face 3

Many thanks to Barbara F. R., Christina, Jean & Sam, TTT, Catherine, Pat L., Carolyn, Steve, and Lucia for commenting last week.  It looks like we may have, surprisingly, a rainy week in northern New Mexico, offering its own opportunities for photography.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Today, the holiday is so beloved that huge numbers of people are on the highways and in the skies, taking advantage of the three day weekend.  I doubt the workers involved in labor rallies at that time imagined such a thing, or foresaw sales on sofas and other stuff as part of the holiday.  But the fight for decent treatment of workers prevails, as members of SAG, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Writers' Guild of America continue their strike action.  Even though many think of these strikes as being frivolities, there are serious issues involved, including the use of artificial intelligence to replace actors' images and to write scripts. Copyrighting work is almost always an issue for artists.  I am glad people are still fighting for their rights in the workplace, wherever that may be.  

In addition, there is a huge amount of work in America being done by a relatively unrecognized group of people - volunteers.  Quietly, but steadily and efficiently, these people perform labors of love every day in almost every area, including in schools, libraries, hospitals, animal shelters, food banks, gardens, within the national park system, and numerous non-profit and emergency aid organizations.  Given last week's blog on Valles Caldera, I thought more information was called for about the volunteers or near-volunteers who have contributed to the restoration of the area and other wilderness and ranch locations damaged in years past by humans, other animals, and machines.  

Renea Roberts - producer, editor, and director for R3 Productions - along with her team and contributors, are putting together a five-part documentary series on water restoration titled Thinking Like Water.  It features renowned forester and water wizard Bill Zeedyk.  Zeedyk is author of Let the Water Do the Work:  Induced Meandering, an Evolving Method for Restoring Incised Channels.  Anyone who has lived in the Southwest has seen channel cuts, also called head cuts.  Many people see it as erosion, which it is, but it can be fixed.  Zeedyk and numerous volunteers he has mentored over the years, have worked on restoring these cuts, including at Valles Caldera.  Zeedyk's restoration strategies have been adopted by many government agencies, paid contractors, and private landowners, in addition to the all volunteer Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. The Thinking Like Water website is well worth exploring. https://thinkinglikewater.com/ along with the trailer for Thinking Like Water, front and center on the link.  At just over twelve minutes long, it is a great introduction to Zeedyk and volunteer restoration work in the Southwest.  You can learn more about and support the project, and spread the word about it.  I raise a glass to all of you who volunteer! 

East Fork of the Jemez River, a good case for meandering

Valles Caldera East Fork of the Jemez River 5

It was exciting to see how many of you have visited Valles Caldera in years past and were just as enchanted by the place as I am, including Barbara F. R., Victoria, Donna and Dave, Catherine S., Claudia, Tim, Ingrid, Ann A., Lawrence, Jean and Sam, M. Fred B., Marilyn G., Terry T., and Steve. Thanks also to documentary filmmaker Cristina McCandless, who among others, is doing drone footage for the series and alerted me to it.  

Since today (in addition to being Labor Day) is the first Monday of meteorological autumn, I hope all of you are ready with cameras in hand to take advantage of the special light that comes with the season.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Valles Caldera and Cerro La Jara 2023  

We New Mexicans appreciate all water features.  The East Fork of the Jemez River, which some from the wetter parts of the country might call a creek, runs through the caldera.  The image below is looking east. 

Valles Caldera East Fork of the Jemez River 1 2023

Looking west along the river, you will notice other volcanic features.

Valles Caldera East Fork of the Jemez River 2 2023

Grasses being laid down by the water in the East Fork of the Jemez River.

Valles Caldera East Fork of the Jemez River 3

Coots and their chicks take advantage of the water.

Valles Caldera East Fork of the Jemez River - coots - 2023

I suspect many of you reading this have hiked extensively in the caldera, whereas my experience is relatively new and limited.  But it is an extraordinary piece of New Mexico.  With luck, you will be able to visit, walk, and hike Valles Caldera at some point in the future.

Thanks to Lawrence, Victoria, Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Earle, Lisa S., Steve, and Catherine for following along and commenting last week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Some 51 years ago, we first encountered the Indian Market on a rainy August afternoon in Santa Fe.  We had just been married and were taking everything in, not really knowing what it was.  It has grown and expanded remarkably since then, with the 2023 market featuring more than 900 American Indian artists.  Our visit this year was primarily to enable Fred to meet one of the weavers in the Rainbow Fiber Coop, along with seeing the work of others featured on Instagram.  From my 31 July blog, you might remember the beautiful Navajo-Churro wool that Fred purchased in lustrous indigo and cochineal. Here is Zefren-M, the weaver (and jeweler) who dyed the wool, styling in his reversible pancho.  

Zefren-M 1 Indian Market 2023    

Zefren-M 2 Indian Market 2023

Zefren-M 3 Indian Market 2023

Fred finally was able to start Rug 393 last week, using Efren's indigo and cochineal-dyed wool, along with Rainbow Fiber Coop dark grey.

Rug 393 detail 1

Rug 393 detail 2  

And Indian Market would not be complete with a surprise or two, one of which came in the form of a swallowtail butterfly in a puddle of water on Palace Avenue.

Swallowtail on Palace Avenue

Thanks to Tim A., Char, Barbara F. R., Claudia, Jean & Sam, Steve, and Catherine for your comments this week. 

until next Monday, 

DB

a passion for the image©

"Two narrow and unusually high tunnels were cut through Precambrian granite in the 1920s to facilitate passage of logging trains through this particularly rugged and constricted section of Guadalupe Canyon, known as the Guadalupe Box. Logs that were harvested in the western Jemez Mountains in the 1920s were taken by narrow-gauge railroad to a sawmill in Bernalillo. The tunnels were enlarged in the 1930s to accommodate logging trucks."  (geoinfo.nmt.edu). Not only was I impressed by the size of the tunnels and the colossal rock of the area, but by the work that must have been required to find a suitable area and survey it in the first place, and then to blast and clear rock, without having the luxury of fossil fuels and trucks to haul materials.  The original road to the area was probably sketchy to say the least.  Like many of the tunnels in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, was well as other places around the world, human power made the project possible.  The image below is of the first tunnel you would approach driving from Jemez Springs on Highway 485.

Gilman Tunnels 2

Two closeups of the tunnel ceilings and walls

Gilman Tunnels 3

Gilman Tunnels 1

I insert this detail of the southern part of the Guadalupe Box detail as a demonstration of the massive rock and complexity of it.  Some of the rock sheets seem to be shaggy and ready to slough off at any time.  Notice a cave forming in the center of the bottom third of the photograph.  

Gilman Tunnels/Guadalupe Box 2

shooting north in the Guadalupe Box

Gilman Tunnels/Guadalupe Box

"The lower stretch of the Guadalupe River canyon exposes a thick section, including Permian redbeds of the Yeso Formation, Glorieta sandstone, and Triassic Moenkopi and Chinle strata, capped by thick exposures of Bandelier tuff." (geoinfo.nmt.edu). I can guarantee you my memory won't hold all this information, but the photograph, again, demonstrates the incredible and complicated (not to mention beautiful) geologic history of the area. 

Gilman tunnels - Guadalupe Box 1

As the seasons begin to change and move toward the equinox next month, I hope you are able to get out and take advantage of the special light.  The trip to the Gilman Tunnels is well worth your time.  Although Highway 485 is the former railway grade and bed, it is well maintained and an easy drive.  If you continue further into the Guadalupe Box region, the road which carries the number 376, requires a four-wheel drive vehicle.

My thanks to Tim A., Connie T., TTT, Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Catherine, and Steve for commenting this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

hummingbird abstract 2018   

These red columbines that were growing along a waterfall on the Aspen Vista Trail near the Santa Fe Ski Basin are remarkably similar to the Aquilegia "Little lanterns" columbines I planted in our yard.  They are, no doubt, related.

Columbine, red 1 2023

The shooting stars, also growing near the same waterfall, were a refreshing surprise.

Shooting Star 1 2023

Both sides of the trail were covered with Richardson's geraniums.  Ever wonder how the bright red house plants and these are related?

Richardson's geranium 1 2023

I am considering the images above and others for one of the books I am designing.  The other book will feature some geological portraits in New Mexico and southern Colorado.  Naturally, the Ghost Ranch area near Abiquiu will be an integral part.

O'Keefe Country landscapes - still life by nature

O'Keefe Country landscapes designs in sandstone

Who knows what will evolve during the week in the world of writing and photography for all of us?

Thanks to Connie T., Robert, Terry T., Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Robert, and Kelli D., for commenting this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

"Rainbow Fiber Co-Op is a Diné-led agricultural co-operative established to improve the financial sustainability and equitable market outcomes for the remaining flocks of Dibé dits’ozí (Navajo-Churro sheep) on the Navajo Nation. Our mission is to close the gap between rural Diné shepherds and an e-commerce marketplace for their wool."  You can find more information, see their product, and even shop online by looking at their website linked here. https://rainbowfibercoop.org/pages/about-us

Using one of my favorite references on color The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair, I was able to expand on my knowledge of both colors, which in the case of cochineal was that the dye is made from a bug.  

Rainbow Fiber Coop indigo and cochineal

It never ceases to amaze me how things are discovered and put to use in human lives.  According to St. Clair, the insect from which cochineal is made, was not actually identified as an insect until the 17th century, when its confirmation was made under a microscope.  Dactylopius coccus, specifically the female, is no larger than the size of a pinhead.  Dactylopius dines voraciously on the prickly pear cactus, where they can be found in "snowy white clusters on the sunny side of the prickly pear cactus leaf...If you were to pluck one off and squeeze hard enough to crush it, your guilty fingers would be stained bright crimson."  It is one of the most brilliant and flexible of the natural dyes.  St. Clair adds that "it was used as a dye in Central and South America from at least the second century B. C. and became intrinsic to the Aztec and Inca Empires."  In the hands of a skilled dye master, including Zefren Anderson based in Shiprock, who dyed the wool shown here, the color shines in all its glory.  It is called Navajo-Churro Zefren's Red Cochineal.  The wound balls are the Co-op's dark gray, which I found to be quite reflective of the light in which it was photographed.  Perhaps that is because the Navajo-Churro sheep wander through the many colors of their environments?

Rainbow Fiber Coop cochineal and charcoal grey

Rainbow Fiber Coop cochineal

Shifting now to indigo or the seed mentioned in today's blog title.  Indigofera tinctoria or true indigo, is a member of the pea/bean family - Fabaceae. St. Clair, again in The Secret Lives of Color, indicates that although its origins were thought to be in India, the Middle East and Africa, it grows in many areas world-wide and its discovery and use for dying could have been made in numerous places.  Apparently, it is notoriously difficult to render and create the dye, and thus was given great value.  "Males of the Tuareg tribe in Northern Africa are given tagelmusts, or headscarves, at a special ceremony that marks their transition from boy to man.  The most prestigious in the community wear the glossiest indigo tagelmusts, whose gloriously resonant hue is developed through multiple rounds of dying and beating.  Because it has always been so highly prized, indigo has, from as far back as records and educated guesswork allow, been a bedrock of global trade."  The gloss or patina in the indigo from Rainbow Fiber Coop is quite apparent in the images included here.

Rainbow Fiber Coop indigo, cochineal, and charcoal grey

Rainbow Fiber Coop indigo

Rainbow Fiber Cooper indigo, charcoal grey, and cochineal

Fred has not yet used the cochineal or indigo, but the dark grey field from the co-op was used in Rug 391.

Rug 390

Thanks to Connie Taylor, Zefren Anderson, Kelli Dunaj, Nikyle Begay, and all the artisans, herders, spinners and dyers who are involved in the Rainbow Fiber Co-op and its mission, and of course the Dibé dits’ozí (Navajo-Churro sheep).

TTT, Ann A., Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Marilyn G., Steve, and Marilyn R. commented on last week's blog and I thank you for your words.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©
 

As someone who appreciates gardens as a source of that good energy when things are busy enough to keep me out of the mountains or desserts, I turn my camera on them.  My continuing missions this week included selecting photographs for a couple of different collections I am honing for books, and rug photography for Fred's portfolio.  But at this time of year when some flowers are starting to wane, the knockout garden standby is a plant that always pleases from the moment its first leaf pokes through the soil until the frost take holds. That is the hosta.  Because many of the varieties have ample leaves that are variegated, beautifully shaped and delineated, the leaves rather than the subdued flowers are the stars. Although the flowers are nice surprises when they do appear.  The leaves create an automatic backdrop for the light purple flowers. 

Hosta 2023 1

Hosta 2023 4

Hosta 2023 2

Hosta 2023 5

Showing off the leaves are hostas' speciality.

Hosta 2023 6

Hosta 2023 7

I almost missed these flowers, sheltering under a neighboring leaf.

Hosta 2023 8

It was intensely gratifying to hear from so many of you last week in regard to the agave bloom stalk life cycle.  It is still in bloom, with just about all of the bloom pods fully opened.  Some of you mentioned that you had seen blooms this year, including in Arizona, Oregon, and California.  So thank you, Christina, Victoria, TTT, Sandra B., Barbara F. R., Ross, Claudia, Charlie, Ann A., Susie, Terry T., Debbie, Marilyn G., Robert, Steve, Ingrid, Catherine, and Bob S. for your input and comments!  May your week be filled with nature's delights!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The agave likes heat.  It can grow in desert, high desert, and tropical climates, and many of its species have subdued and lovely shades of verdigris, making them perfect elements for New Mexico gardens.  Below is an image of the plant featured in today's blog two years before it evolved into its alien stage.

Because most agaves have many years on them before they arrive in a garden from their native habitats
 - as many as thirty or more - one can never really know its age or when it will bloom.  So when the bloom stalk appeared one day in a local garden around the corner, and continued to grow literally feet every day, we looked forward to seeing its progress on our daily walks.  This image was made on 4 June.  How much taller would it get?

Just 11 days later, on 15 June, I used a friend's height for scale (Robert says he's just shy of 6') demonstrating how much the stalk had grown.

agave bloom spike 2023 1

Another 15 days later, it had gained possibly another four feet and the bloom pods were starting to reveal themselves. 

agave bloom spike 2023 2

agave bloom spike 2023 3

Each one of these branched inflorescences will explode, exposing bright yellow flower parts.

agave blooms 2023 1

The images below were made yesterday, another 16 days after the pods started to appear.  The bloom cycle lasts 3-4 months, and happens just once in a lifetime.  New agave-lets appear in the bloom bundle and fall to the ground.  Under the right conditions, they may grow into new agaves.  Which is the point, since, unfortunately, the agave has put its life energy into the process and then dies.  I feel lucky to have witnessed its life cycle.  As you can tell, this agave has not quite finished its presentation.

agave blooms spike 2023 4

Numerous stamens are waving in the breeze loaded with pollen.  The bees had already discovered the newly unfurled pods.

agave blooms 2023 3

agave blooms 2023 2

Hope all of you in the northern hemisphere are able to deal with whatever weather conditions nature presents this week.  Thanks to Debbie & Steve, Marilyn G., TTT, Barbara F. R., Steve, Jean & Sam, and Lawrence for commenting this week.  And thanks to Ann for growing and caring for this agave, and to Robert for giving the bloom stalk scale.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Nearly every photo shoot I do involves some sort of backdrop for the subject, whether it is natural or human made.  To photograph the peonies featured in today's blog, I chose three colors as possibilities - grey, white, and black.  Two different black fabrics were used.  All three colors demonstrate how different a subject can be, dependent on texture and color of a backdrop.

The first two photographs show why so many photographers use a neutral grey for portraiture of any kind.  It is soft and capable of producing a lush color spectrum.

peony on grey 2 2023  

peony on grey 1 2023

White changes everything. The pink peony in the first photograph below  (which reminds me of the artwork of Charles Rennie Macintosh - architect, designer, and artist - who influenced Art Nouveau and the Secessionist Movement) has a pink tinge to it.

peony on white 3 2023

White on white has a lightness to it that is completely different from the grey.

peony on white 1 2023

peony on white 2 2023

Finally, black can be quite dramatic when used as a backdrop.  It is bold and pulls the eye from the backdrop, leaving only the subject for the viewer to peruse, as shown here, and in the image of the base of the peony.  

peony on black 2 2023

peony on black 4 2023

I "pulled" the shadows a bit in the image below to show just a hint of the texture provided by the black lace fabric.

peony on black 3 2023

Despite the fact that it was the 4th of July weekend, many of you commented on last week's blog including Mary Pat., Ann A., TTT, Terry T., Jean & Sam, Lucia, Christina, Steve, Marilyn G., Carol and Larry M., Barbara F. R., Robert, and Pauli.  Your comments are very much appreciated!  By the way, "Seating for One" seemed to be your favorite from the entrants for Shadow and Light Magazine.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

I also devoted time in the past month curating images for Shadow and Light Magazine's Color It Red special issue competition.  Below are a few of the images I included.

"Seating for One"

"Shade Sails"

Vivac Winery Shoot 2022 for blog 5

"weaving detail"

Rug 349 detail.jpg

"Amaryllis"

Flowers - amaryllis 29 2022.jpg

"Bromeliad"

Flowers - bromeliad 1 2023

"Carol's peony"

Peonies - Carol's 2023 3

And I wish I had made the competition deadline with this beauty, but perhaps next year.  

"Peony on black 1"

Peony on black 2023 1

I hope all of you in the United States have a safe and beautiful Independence Day holiday.  

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Paule M., Victoria, Marilyn G., Catherine, Lisa S., Marilyn R., Steve, Ingrid and Dianne J. for your kind and most welcome comments on last week's blog.  My gratitude also goes to Cristina and Carol for providing the blooming inspiration!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Mountain streams and waterfalls in New Mexico are petite compared to those in other locations around the world.  Nonetheless, they are gems. Using roughly 1/30 of a second shutter speed gave a most interesting photographic effect.  At first blush, the shutter speed slows down the water just enough to give a nice blur, as shown below.

Aspen Vista refractions 2  

But focusing in, the water appeared, at times, to be one sheet of shrink wrap flowing over the rocks.

Aspen Vista refractions 3

I hope your screen is big enough to see a couple of things in the shot below.  The lens captures the water, making it appear that it was frozen in time.  Also, in the bottom third of the shot, toward the center, there is a diagonal line of five dots that appear to have been applied by a white pen.  There are a couple of other places in the bottom half of the photograph where this happens as well.  It is water literally stopped in frame.

Aspen Vista refractions 1

Pulling back offers an image of the sequence of three drops of the falls.

Aspen Vista refractions 4

Not only did the waterfalls fascinate me, but the resulting slower water as it crossed the trail/road captured my attention.  Water gently moving over rocks and sand.  The sequence of photographs below were captured at 1/170 of a second at f8, allowing refraction to be caught in the most interesting ways. According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, a ray of light can be refracted by water, air, or glass which causes the light ray to change direction when it enters at an angle.  There was so much happening in several places that I spent a good amount of time watching and photographing the light and water dance.  Viewing the results was the equivalent of finding jewels in the water.  

Aspen Vista refractions 8

Aspen Vista refractions 5

Aspen Vista refractions 7

Aspen Vista refractions 6

Knowing full well that there are many of you reading who are in the throes of very uncomfortable heat, my hope is that it won't last long and allow you to enjoy summer.  Thanks to Lucia, Barbara F. R., Jean & Sam, Peggy, Steve, Claudia, TTT, Marilyn G., Catherine, Karla P., Charlie K. C., M. Fred, Veronica, Lena D., and Bill & Sue for kind comments this week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Rug 389 detail   
 

He dyed four pounds of a natural oatmeal color from iiiDogFarm in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque - two pounds a Flame Red from Greener Shades and two pounds of the same red along with a pinch of Greener Shades Sunshine Yellow.  Thanks to Andrea Harrell and Lulu, Cody, Gabe, and Bubba for sharing their wool.  The pure Flame Red-dyed is on the left hand side of the image, the natural oatmeal on which it is dyed is in the middle, and on the right side are the skeins dyed with Flame Red and added Sunshine Yellow.      

Navajo-Churro wool, hand dyed by Fred Black

The last time I featured Fred's weaving here was in March while he was working on Rug 384 in which he used remnants from last year's weaving.  Because all the wool he uses is hand-dyed, dye lots vary, and thus, each and every rug is different.

Rug 384

Rug 385, below, is in the Moki style, which utilizes narrow stripes.

Rug 385

Rug 386 is as close as Fred gets to a pictorial weaving.

Rug 386 detail

Hanging over a balustrade or wall, an observer can see "weather" in the rug - stylized clouds with rain or virga above the mesas and canyon, and a river running through it.   

Rug 386

Rug 387 is in the style of a Navajo Chief's blanket (Phase II)

Rug 387

Finally, a blending of six different dye lots of the same red - Chile Colorado (from Tierra Wools in Chama) - using the ombre or shading technique, make Rug 388 pop.

Rug 388

It was great to hear from Bill and Sue, TTT, Connie, Barbara F. R., Christina W., Charlie, Sam & Jean, Marilyn G., Steve, Ingrid and Marta this week!

Hope your week, and particularly the Solstice on Wednesday, bring extra light to your photography and your lives.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Poppies - salmon 1 2023  

Poppies - salmon 2 2023

The white of the poppy below does not diminish its beauty in any way, with the large blotches of inky color at the base.  An orchestra of nature is playing furiously in the middle of the flower. 

Poppies - white 2 2023

a black and white photograph showing more of the inner workings

Poppies - white 1 2023

I had never seen this color of poppy before.  Depending on the light, the color ranged from mauve to plum to purple.  Each is stunning.  

Poppies - purple 3 2023

Poppies - purple 6 2023

Poppies - purple 4 2023

Thanks to Victoria, Lisa S., Barbara F. R., M. Fred, Kay, Christina W., Ann A., Steve, Marilyn G., and Catherine for commenting this week!  I hope you find some excellent subjects to photograph during the coming week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The flower stalks of the yucca go through quite an evolution before coming to full bloom.  Emerging from the bottom of the plant, surrounded by green leaf spikes, they look like alien creatures.

The brown/burgundy color begins to lighten as the blooms start to open.

Thread-like filaments curling along the leaves' edges are pure design.

The blooms are quite delicate and lovely, counterpoints to the needle-sharp leaves.

Yucca blooms have a sheen that makes them look like ripe fruit.

I must include here the mammoth bloom stalk of an agave plant I noticed for the first time this morning.  Watching it evolve is going to be very interesting!

Thanks to all of you who commented on my Memorial Day blog and the meaning of the day, including Victoria, Barbara F. R., David O., Phyllis, Jean & Sam, Connie, Brenda, Ann A., Sara, Earle, Orlando, Steve, and Ingrid.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

"In honor and recognition of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection.  The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance."  

President Biden proclaimed today, May 29, 2023 as a day of prayer for permanent peace.  "I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day."

Memorial Day has become a collective day of remembrance of all who have died and passed from our lives.  There are sometimes heated discussions about why only military members are remembered and not peacemakers and conscientious objectors to war.  But one thing I suspect most people can agree upon is the idea, wish, or prayer for permanent peace.

In the spirit of remembering and peace, I am including photographs that seem particularly peaceful, each for different reasons, but that conjure those feelings. As is the case with the bench image below, surrounded by leaves in a cemetery, the images can be in urban or more natural settings.

A reflection of the Grand Teton in Jenny Lake, with stones

A dried lotus blossom among leaves draws in both the eyes and the spirit.

There is nothing like a healthy, open ponderosa pine forest and the smell of the sun-heated bark emitting a butterscotch/vanilla fragrance. 

Williams Lake on the way to Wheeler Peak in New Mexico is the perfect resting spot.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Looking up through an aspen canopy of fall quaking leaves settles the soul....

Trees - aspen 2021 4.jpg

...as does the sight of a columbine flower in deep shade.

Columbine - Rocky Mountain (Aquilegia caerulean) 2 2023

I hope that each of you has a Memorial Day filled with good memories of those who have passed and with new memories of those with whom you celebrate!

Thanks to Ingrid, Barbara F. R., Connie, Steve, Catherine, Jean and Sam, Heather H., and Bill and Sue for writing this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Columbines - Rocky Mountain (Aquilegia cerulea)KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Like breeds or species of all stripes, columbine come in different sizes, colors, and shapes.  To begin the parade is the columbine "Little Lanterns". In Latin, Aquilegia canadensis is diminutive.  Rather than unfurled petals, the little lantern hangs down from the stem, like a lantern, and more like a bud.  The spurs come together at the top of the flower.

Columbines - Little Lanterns (Aquilegia canadensis) 2 2023

The image below was taken in the morning after one of this week's rains the evening before.

Columbines - Little Lanterns (Aguilegia canadensis) 4 2023

Next in size is the columbine Origami Red and White Aquilegia caerulea, the same species as the Rocky Mountain Columbine, with similar structural features, but different color and size. 

Columbines - Origami red and white (Aquilegia x caerulea) 2 2023

Columbines - Origami red and white (Aquilegia x caerulea) 4 2023

The next two photographs are of a columbine Swallowtail Aquilegia species.  It has not yet completely opened, given the cooler temperatures.

Columbines - Swallowtail (Aquilegia species) 2 2023

Columbines - Swallowtail (Aquilegia species 1)

Finally, McKana Giants Aquilegia mckana hybrida columbines, are the largest as far as the actual plant is concerned, with a maximum size of 36 inches in height.  It was a fascinating challenge to try to photograph these amazing flowers, inside the depths of the petals, outside the petals, and complete with spurs all around.

Columbine - McKana Giant (Mckana hybrida) 9 2023

Columbine - McKana Giant (Mckana hybrida) 13 2023

It was great to hear from so many of you last week, including Victoria, Barbara F. R., Char, Jean & Sam, Steve, Catherine, Marilyn, Connie T., Heather F. H., Lluvia, Robert, and Lawrence J.   I hope all of you are finding wonderful things to ponder and photograph on this exceptional planet of ours.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

I made this photograph of the geological jumble along the west side of the highway.  The pillars in the top of the image (could be maar deposits) give way to red sandstone layers of a different type and consistency.  It is vintage Jemez.

Jemez Country geology 2023 1     

Layers worked by water and wind and time abound.

Jemez Country geology 2023 5

Jemez Country geology 2023 2

These resemble a human-constructed dwelling.

Jemez Country geology 2023 4

Jemez Country geology 2023 3

Sandstone guardian

Jemez Country geology 2023 6

Thanks for Barbara F. R., Lisa S., Jim & Louise W., Steve, Geula, Catherine, Steve, Christina, Robert, Paule, Claudia, and Pauli for writing this week.  

Who knows what next Monday will offer?  

until next Monday,

DB 

a passion for the image©

Since the beginning of April when temperatures began to warm, the small towns of San Ysidro and Jemez Springs, New Mexico, experienced flooding from the runoff of excellent winter mountain snows.  The snow melt prompted warnings about not pulling off the side of Highway 4 because of the rushing water.  Every time I checked the state of New Mexico highway conditions map, indications were given about the highway being patrolled and police telling people they would not be allowed to utilize the shoulders for parking.  But the latest warnings were from the third week in April and I decided last week might be a good time to take a photographic trip to Soda Dam, north of Jemez Springs and Jemez Pueblo.  The drive would be enjoyable even if pulling off was not allowed.

As it turned out, the day was perfection, and the small parking area near Soda Dam was not only open but empty short of one vehicle.  For at least forty-five minutes, we had the place to ourselves.  I mentioned the sensory richness of the Jemez earlier.  As we opened the car doors, the smell of sulphur took us back, I am not certain where or even to what time, but it was the start of a heady experience - a delicious stew of smells and sounds.  The roar of the water made me realize why the authorities cautioned people not to go near the river.  Although there are many more public swimming pools in the state than during my childhood, there are still a good many who do not know how to swim.  The speed and intensity of the water would have taken even skilled swimmers for quite a ride. 

It is best to begin with a full shot of Soda Dam and the Jemez River going through the calcareous rock.  Layer upon layer of history deposit themselves in the formation, which, according to Atlasobscura.com, is fifty feet high and fifty feet wide at the bottom.

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 15

Within the body of the dam are small caverns and gnarled, contorted layers, shaped and worked by nature.

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 21

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 24

The noise of the water rushing through the opening was impressive, shown in the trio of progressively closer images.

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 1

Soda Dam, New Mexico 2023 7

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 5

The other-worldly nature of these formations cannot be overstated.  It is seriously complicated by forces geologists can identify but the likes of me cannot.  

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 18

A detail of the lower right hand part of the formation (travertine deposit) in the image of above makes me think of a wood burl.  

Soda Dam, New Mexico - 2023 28

Finally, since Soda Dam is part of the Jemez area, filled with geothermal features, and the dam is fed by 117° water from Valles Caldera, several types of algae or cyanobacteria, thrive here.

Soda Dam, New Mexico 2023 30

Thanks for coming along for the ride, and my appreciation goes to Bill P., Barbara F. R., Christina, Lisa S., Jean and Sam, Steve, and Catherine for commenting last week.  Some very uniquely layered red dirt will be the feature of my next biog.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Flowers - tulip 2 2023 2

Flowers - tulip 3 2023 3       

Like every person who has taken their phone or camera out to capture snow on patio furniture, after the recent, wonderful snowfall, I made my way outside, camera in hand, as the sun was beginning to melt the snow in the late morning light.

Flowers - tulip and snow 2023 1

Flowers - tulip and snow 2023 3

As the tulips declare "Happy May Day", I thank Barbara F. R., Terry T., Catherine S., Jean & Sam, Steve, Bill P., and Larry & Carol for your comments on last week's blog!  I like to imagine all of you out and about with your cameras/phones this week, making photographic magic happen!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

First featured are assorted flowering plum tree blossoms that have been in bloom for several weeks.  It was during one of my first shoots of those trees I realized that the buds were equally perfect subjects.  Here is an image of buds and blossoms providing color rather than focus and form. That is left to the branch shadows on a stucco wall generating a bit of an abstraction.

Flowers - flowering plum and shadows 1

Below is a single flowering plum tree bud.  It is why I pursued buds this week and why it was well worth the time.

Flowers - flowering plum bud 2023 1

Here is another flowering fruit tree bud.  I have no idea what type of tree it graces, but am guessing it could be a crabapple.

Flowers - flowering fruit tree bud 2023 1  

The buds here that are beginning to open are actually on the same tree as the bud featured in the previous photograph.

Flowers - flowering fruit tree bud 2023 2

Pulling away from the closeups gives an entirely different  perspective.

Flowers - flowering fruit tree bud 2023 4

The tulip buds I photographed took their time in opening.  Here is what I would call phase 2, when the color begins to appear.

Flowers - tulip bud 2023 2

The bud here is poised to open.  In addition to the flower, I liked the waves created by the tulip leaves at the base.

Flowers - tulip bud 2023 4

It opens.

Flowers - tulip bud 2023 5

It was terrific to hear from so many of you last week, including Barbara F. R., Sandra B., Bill P., Lisa S., Jean & Sam, Ann A., Steve, Catherine, M. Fred, and Ingrid!  With luck, you will make some wonderful discoveries when you are out and about this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The daffodil "Ice Follies" was featured in last week's blog, but the way light and shadow enveloped the ruffled cup shown here, made it a feature this week.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 8  

The same is true for this King Alfred daffodil.  The structure of the cup looks so sturdy that it seems to be able to hold almost anything.

Flowers - daffodils - King Alfred 2023 1

On the other hand, the Thalia daffodil shown below has petals and a cup that, in proportion, seem much longer and more delicate. 

Flowers - daffodils - Thalia 2023 2

The stamens look like a starfish contained within the cup.

Flowers - daffodils - Thalia 2023 1

Finally, the Tazetta daffodil or minnow, has very diminutive flowers, measuring one inch or 2.54 centimeters.  It was on-the-ground photography for this one. 

Flowers - daffodils - Tazetta 2023 2

Thanks to Christina, Barbara F. R., Lisa S., Ingrid, Catherine, Marilyn G., Steve, Lawrence, and Susie for commenting on last week's blog.  Yours words in addition to the flowers, are a breath of spring!

I hope you and your cameras will be out and about this week, discovering the evolution of life!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Two varieties are included in today's blog.  The Ice Follies bulbs produce a medium-sized flower with white petals and a yellow cup.  Here is a group I photographed in bright, late afternoon light.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 1

The photographs that follow were made between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning, when available light was bright but softer in feel.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 6

The cups are filled with pollen, a veritable flow of it.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 4

There is mystery produced by the shadow and light in the two images below.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 2

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 3

Every single part of the cup is apparent in this image.

Flowers - daffodils - Ice Follies 2023 5

A smaller daffodil or narcissus bulb carrying the name Tete a Tete, produces flowers with a combination of yellow petals and orange cups.  This one is nodding until the warmth of the sun helps it unfurl. 

Flowers - daffodils - Tete a Tete 2023

Thanks to Ross, Ingrid, Barbara F. R., Steve, Catherine, and Charleen for commenting this week.  Happy Trails to Cristina, and Robert as they return home from their travels.  And may all you photographers who are reading this find more than ample subject matter to photograph as seasons change in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Echo Amphitheater is part of New Mexico's Carson National Forest.  Most people who enter the area do so to experience the acoustic wonder. Below is an image of the amphitheater itself that produces the great echoes.  

Echo Amphitheater 1  

Listening to people whispering, yelling, whistling, clapping their hands and making assorted noises and then hearing the sound ricochet is compelling.  But to me, the formations around it are the most amazing elements of the place.  You can almost see the original artist at work, layering the sandstone and applying  desert varnish over the centuries.

Echo Amphitheater 2 (1)  

Formations surrounding the amphitheater are stunning in their layering and color palette.

Echo Amphitheater 5

Echo Amphitheater 3

Weather shapes, softens, and alters the colors over time. 

Echo Amphitheater 4

One can see pillars forming in the monolithic masses of Jurassic Entrada Formation sandstone (pink to orange) and in the caps of Jurassic Todilito Formation limestone.  These are just the basics of a very complicated geological region, described further in an article from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.  https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/tour/landmarks/ghost_ranch/home.html

Echo Amphitheater 6

The geological region extends east of Echo Amphitheater, as shown here, and into the Ghost Ranch area.  Jurassic Entrada sandstone is found throughout much of the American West, including in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, in addition to northwestern New Mexico.     

Echo Amphitheater/O'Keefe County 1

Although Echo Amphitheater is currently closed for renovation, work is expected to be complete by late fall or early winter.  (The irony of the previous sentence just hit me!). You can still drive up to the bar gate and enjoy the landscape and quiet.  

Thanks to Barbara F. R., Peggy, Veronica, Christina, Catherine, Donna & Dave, Steve, Lisa S., Sara, and Jean and Sam for your comments on last week's blog.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

As you can tell from my regular use of the cabbage in numerous images, I find them weirdly photogenic.  Lots of nice, soft curves and variations in shades of color seem to make a single leaf a perfect backdrop.  Even as I placed and photographed the necklace, I could hear the question of a friend "What are you smoking up there?"  Nothing but imagination gone wild.

Still life - aquamraine & cabbage 2

By working with my macro lens, the cabbage background is a little more mysterious and the stone and necklace more pronounced.   Still life - aquamarine & cabbage leaf 1

Shooting it from a slightly lower angle, the stone and chain are almost like an oyster and pearl

Still life - aquamarine & cabbage leaf 3

Speaking of shells, I used a large clam shell for the presentation below.

Still life - aquamarine & clam shell 1

Far from being an expert on sea shells and marine life, I needed to do a bit of searching for this shell, a small conch.

Still life - aquamarine & conch shell 1

Using another angle of the conch and aquamarine, the natural light filtered through storm clouds accentuated the blue hue of the stone.

Still life - aquamarine & conch shell 2

Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries to everyone whose names are on calendar, and to those I may have missed.  I hope you have had grand celebrations and that the last week of March does indeed go out like a lamb.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image© 

This is the case for my husband Fred, who weaves six hours a day, using 125 pounds of Navajo-Churro wool, and producing 20-24 pieces of weaving (mostly rugs) annually.  Between the beginning of January and the Ides of March this year, he wove four rugs.

January brought Rug 380 from the loom room.  The rug's field is oatmeal grey, dyed black, cobalt, and chile colorado.

Rug 380

For Rug 381, a piece where arts and crafts tradition meet the Southwest, Fred used a light natural grey wool as the field, dyed black for the borders, and Ganado red.  It appears to the eye that he used a dark grey, but while weaving, he alternated light grey and dyed black, which produced the look of dark grey. Here it is in progress on the loom.

Rug 381 detail

Below is an image of the completed rug.

Rug 381

In the detail below, notice the single line or shot of light grey just beneath the top of the black border.  It is the last line of light grey, a way out, as it were.  This is used historically in Navajo or Dine' weaving, and is frequently called a "spirit line" or "weaver's path", according to Navajo historian Wally Brown.  In Navajo or Dine', ch'ihónít'i - a weaver's path - is added to a bordered rug in order to keep the weaver's mind from being locked up inside the rug by the solid border.  You can read more about this and other traditions at Mr. Brown's website here.  https://navajotraditionalteachings.com/
 

Rug 381 Spirit line detail

In the third piece of 2023, Rug 382, Fred used a very dense and luscious natural charcoal grey, along with dyed wool in cobalt blue, chile colorado, and Tierra Amarilla.  It feels supportive and spongy underfoot.

Rug 382

The quartet is completed by Rug 383, with wool dyed at Tierra Wools in brown heather, red heather, rust heather, calabasa, Tierra Amarilla, turquoise, and iron springs.  

Rug 383

I brought the pieces together with some of the wool used in them.

Rugs 381,382,383 and wool 1

A slightly different angle

Rugs 381,382,383 and wool 2

Today is the spring or vernal equinox, a time of emergence.  I hope it is also a time of unbridled creativity for all of you!  Thanks to Barbara F. R., Melissa M., Terry T., Steve, Catherine, and Robert for commenting this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

As I have indicated before, when you prepare something for photography but intend to eat said subject, timing is of the essence - both to make the photograph and to eat the dish in a timely fashion.  I had pondered backdrops and locations, using them at a variety of times during the week, with both natural and other lighting, and made lists of which images in what conditions worked and which did not.

Because of the higher temperature and shorter potential window of time that presents itself when making a pizza, (a pesto pizza) I only used two locations. The first was on a pizza stone and table in some nice controlled natural afternoon light.

pesto pizza 1

In the second shot, some natural light was filled with LED lights.

pesto pizza 2

Below is a shot of green chile enchiladas.

green chile enchilada

Homemade bread using natural light from the south and west

homemade bread

Finally, an image utilizing an iris and chocolates gifted to me some years ago.  My lack of adequate documentation leaves me without the local chocolatier's name.  The designer chocolates could have been from either Chocolate Smith or Kakawa Chocolate House.

Thanks to Paule, TTT, Dianne J., Ann A., Ingrid, Carol, and Robert for your blog feedback this week.  Despite flooding and massive snow in California, spring seems to be bursting there, with blossoms on fruit and ornamental fruit trees bombing every disaster video.  Things are happening here as well, with the first sighting of migrating cedar wax wings visiting the neighborhood this week.  I hope your cameras and binoculars are in hand as the week progresses.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Some of the first flowers to bloom on the mesas are ground huggers, and to capture a good image, photographers need to be equally adept at either sitting or laying on your back to achieve that.  The Easter daisies suddenly seem to appear at one's feet.  Wandering lazily, I sometimes stepped on them before I realized they were there.

Another ground hugger is the Santa Fe phlox, shown below.  In a good year after much snow and rain, it is everywhere, in what seems to be the worst, cracking soil.  

The cacti - including hedgehog and claret cup - throw splashes of brilliant fuchsia, red/orange, and yellow at your feet and in pockets of sandstone.

Very site specific and somewhat picky about where they grow, paintbrush can be real show offs in years with good moisture.

Finally, turning to the mountains just after the snow melts, at elevations between, I am guessing, 8,000-9,000 feet, wild iris are spectacular.  They are great fans of wetness, growing along streams or in somewhat boggy areas.  Huge fields of them cover parts of the Pecos Wilderness as well as areas along Highway 64 between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla.   

Thanks to TTT, Veronica, Barbara F. R., Christina, Brenda, Kay, Pauli, M. Fred, Catherine, Heather H. and Steve for reading and commenting this week!  It is wonderful to hear from each and every one of you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

In the image below, a healthy thunderstorm is developing over the western part of Taos County.  If you look closely in the bottom third of the photograph, there appears to be a black line.  That line or gash is actually the Rio Grande Gorge, concealing he 800 foot depth of the opening until one comes much closer. The photograph was taken from Highway 68.

Another broad landscape is produced by the lava flow and sandstone of which El Malpais National Monument between Grants and Gallup is comprised.

Malpais 1 2022

One can find the flowers known as paintbrush in many New Mexico locations, but not all come complete with a well-aged deer antler.

The Brazos Cliffs south of Chama

Brazos Cliffs New Mexico 2021 2

Native American corn

Ft. Union, in the northeastern side of the state, was once a crossroads for commerce, settlers moving west, and the military.

The boots below are a little fancy for the likes of Ft. Union, but they are a New Mexico tradition.

Buildings of religious significance - including Catholic churches and kivas - can be found in every town, village, and pueblo.  Here is a modern church in adobe style at sunset.

It was wonderful to hear from so many of you last week, including Christina, Marilyn, Lawrence, Ann M., Dianne J., Heather H., Steve, Catherine, Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., Victoria, Brenda, Carol, and Ingrid.  ¡Muchas gracias!

until next week,

DB

a passion for the image©

Claret cup cactus on the Arroyo Hondo trail south of Santa Fe

Rio Grande Gorge

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

There is hardly anything more iconic in New Mexico than the geology of the Abiquiu area.

Cottonwoods found along rivers and streams in the state are trees for every season. 

The colors of chile are everywhere.

chiles for OCA

From the old world to the new, flamenco is also part of who we are....

...as are rodeos around the state.

As the hints of a slight change of season fill the air, I hope you have ample opportunity to enjoy and photograph the world around you!

Thanks to Victoria, Jean and Sam, Ingrid, Christina, Barbara F. R., M. Fred, Catherine, Robert, Carol, and Steve for commenting this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Bosque - snow geese 1

Because there were so many, the geese poured over onto the road, as if waiting for their closeups.  They always seem to be on a mission.

Bosque - snow geese 5

Bosque - snow geese 6

One of the most fascinating things about birds is their feathers.  They seem absolutely perfect.  The neck feathers look as if they have been braided or woven like a rope.

Water beads on the feathers.

Bosque - snow geese 3

Occasionally, they seem to form a flotilla, with most heading in one direction on the water...

Bosque - snow geese 2

...and the next minute, they are out on their own.  Ultimately, the group prevails.

Bosque - snow geese 7

By the way, many of you wrote during the week to say that wild turkeys are literally running wild in towns all over the United States, from the West Coast to the East coast, and are considered pests.  The same is true for both Canadian and snow geese, demonstrating the sometimes tenuous intersection of humans and nature. 

Thanks for Barbara F. R., TTT, Suz, M.Fred, Paule, Ann A., Steve, Luella, Orlando, Catherine, Heather H., Brenda, Christina, Robert, and Jean and Sam for your comments this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Bosque del Apache is known for being the wintering ground for sandhill cranes and snow geese, and both were still there in good numbers.  Our plan was to spend the day, and charge our electric Bolt along the way.  Since we did not spend the night in Socorro, I did not plan on catching sunrise and sunset shots of huge flocks of birds rising into the sky and/or flying in from other areas.  My plan was to look, and be surprised and content with what could be found and photographed.  I most certainly was.  

First, a photograph of a sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) in the field.  Other photographers with perhaps 300 mm lenses as opposed to my 70-200 lens, were shooting bursts of 5 shots at a time.  There was much complaining about the cranes having their heads down, enjoying the goodies in the fields, and digging the dirt with their ample beaks.  The sure identifying mark is the red on the crown.

Bosque 2023 sandhill cranes 4  

While shooting the sandhill cranes scattered throughout the fields, two Tundra swans took flight.  The docent at the gate told us we might see them.  Apparently, they have only been around the Bosque the last two-three years.  

Bosque 2023 - tundra swan

While touring the north loop of the refuge, I was surprised by a group of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).  As long as I have been hiking in New Mexico, I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen turkeys.  Here they were in all their glory.  I think these may be the Rio Grande variety.

Bosque 2023 - turkey 1

Bosque 2023 - turkey 4    

I am the first to admit my near-total lack of knowledge about water fowl.  When I saw these ducks, I thought they were mallards.  But after downloading the photographs and comparing the bills of mallards, I knew I was completely wrong.  These "dabbler ducks" are Spatula clypeata or northern shovelers, and I was totally enchanted by them.  Their thick, stout bills are designed for shoveling and retaining all the assorted bottom goodies found in shallower reaches.

Bosque - shoveler (northern) 3

My mission in the image below was to catch the shoveler's wake.

Bosque - shoveler (northern) 2

As with many of the birds we saw, they were doing one of four things.  Eating, sleeping, talking, or stretching and flapping their wings.  This shoveler was catching a quick rest, always aware with an eye open.

Bosque - shoveler (northern) 4

Here is a female shoveler, also at rest.  

Bosque - shoveler (northern) 5

I figure all of the birds are bulking up for breeding and nesting season.  Next week:  snow geese in abundance.

Thanks for Barbara F. R., Victoria, Paule, Jean & Sam, Lawrence, Ingrid, Steve, and Catherine for commenting on last week's blog.  

I hope that wherever you are this week, great photographic opportunities present themselves.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

The solids of this chowder or soup get cut first.  Unless a photographer has assistants, or is altering the food in some way, potatoes are time-critical because of oxidation.  I didn't spend much time dawdling.   Natural light and dimmed overhead light were used.

Cheese and vegetable soupl 1

The initial ladle of soup is shown here in two slightly different positions.  The golden hue of the cheese gives its own backdrop to the veggies.

Cheese and vegetable soupl 3

Cheese and vegetable soupl 2

Cheese and vegetable soupl 4

The accompanying muffin completes the light lunch.  

Cheese and vegetable soupl 5

Each time I photograph food, I realize what a true art it is, and that I have a lot to learn.  But what is cooking, photography, and life without a daily lesson?

Thanks to Brenda, Barbara F. R., Ingrid, Sandra B., TTT, Suz, Catherine, Steve, Kay, Robert, Christina, and Paule for your thoughtfulness and comments last week.  

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Shooting from the inside out, which backlit the snow and left the decorative uprights in shadow, brought the abstract shapes and architectural elements of the arts and crafts door almost equally into focus.  You can see a hint of color in each, courtesy of the stucco wall.  All the images in this series were taken with the Fujifilm X-T5 and 30 millimeter macro lens.

snow-flocked door 5  

snow-flocked door 1

Each glass panel creates its own abstraction. 

snow-flocked door 8

snow-flocked door 7

The graceful curve spanning the uprights gave the snow scene its own delineation.

snow-flocked door 2

snow-flocked door 9

A second image, similar to the one above, reminded me of a bow drawn with an arrow held on the rest.

snow-flocked door 10

Thanks to Barbara, TTT, Pauli, Steve, Brenda, Christina, Jean and Sam, Terry T., Victoria, Catherine, and M. Fred for commenting this week.  I hope that each of you has a chance encounter to photograph this week!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

cloud image 4 January 2022.jpg   

The Pecos National Monument mission church shadows with distinct shadow and light characteristics seemed a good choice as well.

The kiva ladder at Pecos has much more subtle shades of black, white, and grey.

The white Columbine below reflects a sharp white and leaves that fade to black.

And the rose in shadow harkens the early days of black and white photography.

Roses - Corliss 2022 2

Here's to you, Ben, with our admiration and thanks!  May you have fair winds and following seas. 

Thanks to Christina, Steve, Barbara F. R., TTT, Connie, Suz, Earle, Catherine, Jean & Sam, Victoria, and Ingrid for your comments this week, even though some of you had power outages and an excess of rain water knocking at your doors.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©

Rug 379 detail 3

The rhythm section is the warp - the strands of which can be seen here.  It provides the structural baseline of the weft or design. 

Rug 379 detail 1

Rug 379 is a variation on the theme of a Spider Woman Cross.  In many cultures it represents the gift that Spider Woman gave to humans, teaching them to spin thread and weave.

Rug 379  

Rug 380 has four movements separated by the same complex design including what are sometimes called hourglasses or Chinle stars - artistic elements used in weaving world-wide.  The melody is in the eyes of the beholder or the ears of the listener.  

Rug 380