On January 6, 1912, the territory of New Mexico officially became the 47th state of the United States of America.  In celebrating the 107th birthday of the state, which, quite bizarrely, many people still do not know is actually a state, I put together some new and also iconic images of the Land of Enchantment.

In the early 1980s, I worked at the Secretary of State's office, and was also doing freelance photography.  It was a perfect fit for the Official New Mexico Blue Book published in 1981-1982, which included a number of my photographs. The seal of the state on New Mexico flag gold inside the Zia symbol was paired with a photograph I shot along the Aspen Vista Trail near Santa Fe Ski Basin. Obviously, these have been through several generations of printing and scanning.

aspen

Something to catch the eye and palate - one of Fred Black's Navajo Churro wool rugs, red chile power, and Anasazi beans.

rug, beans, chile

One of the more iconic places in northwestern New Mexico is Chaco Culture National Historical Park.  The photograph below shows some of the incredible architectural elements and stone work you can see on a visit here, when the government opens again.

Chaco window

Cacao Santa Fe has developed a "Chaco Pottery Shards" collection that reproduces designs on pottery jars recently discovered.  According to the description page, the jars contained residue of liquid chocolate.  These little jewels also gave me the opportunity to play with food again.

pot shard truffles 1

Happy Birthday, New Mexico!  And thanks to Pauli, Catherine, Lawrence (almost the New Mexico birthday boy), Steve, Andrea, Connie, Debra, Dianne, David, Wayne, Ingrid and Robert, Jean and Sam, Barbara, and Lisa for your blog comments.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the [email protected]