Two different cold fronts dipped south into northern New Mexico this week, leaving a dusting of snow on mountain peaks, and leaves, small branches, and other detritus in abundance.  Although many people find this time of year distressing, especially because of the wind, there is still much for photographers to discover.

The brilliance of aspen that I have been photographing for the last three weeks is always a huge draw for artists, but the seemingly mundane grasses and seeds pods shine at this time of year as well in their own way.

This bunch grass (and that is the closest I can get to identification) is intriguing regardless of season.  Even with the greyness and yellow edges, it makes a statement with its shape, and by the way it reflects the prevailing wind.

grass and the prevailing wind

The wheat grass below, lit by morning light, always seems to add design elements to the landscape and photographs.

wheat grass dance

Gaillardia have brought color in spring, summer, and fall, and now the seeds pods are the delight of the juncos, numerous sparrows and other seed eaters.

gaillardia seed pod

The clematis vines are loaded with deep purple flowers all summer but after the first frost, the leaves lose their green color and become muted.  However, the branches that have wound themselves around one another, always produce interesting elements, such as the arch below.  I could not resist giving it a bit more mystery with selective toning.

toned clematis arch

Many thanks go to Pauli this week for sending this information about aspen from Wikipedia.

"Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 98–131 ft from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is estimated to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. "

My thanks also to Jean and Sam, Christina, Bill, Paule, Claudia, Wayne, Elida, Barbara, Sandra, Catherine, Debra, Steve, Lucia, and Ingrid for your kind words.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@