for thanks and foodies
November 24, 2024
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5 Comments
This Thursday's Thanksgiving celebration in America represents something far from the original purpose. These days, it is more about Thanksgiving Day parades, sports, mattress sales, and crowded airports. But still, it remains a time to give thanks, and join with family and friends to partake in a groaning board of food. It is a holiday for foodies...
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Solvitur ambulando
November 17, 2024
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2 Comments
A beautiful and appropriate saying landed in my lap this week, courtesy of a friend who regularly forwards "5 Bullet Friday" to us. Published by author, podcaster, and lifestyle guru Tim Ferris, there is always something that catches my attention in his publication. This week, it was the Latin saying "solvitur ambulando" which means "it is solved b...
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fuchsia faces for any season
November 10, 2024
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7 Comments
Frequently, when a photographer ventures forth into the world, whether near or far, surprises await. They could be part of what one plans to photograph or they could emerge during the process. A catchment or small pond filled with water lilies was in an unexpected place - a horse stable where one of our nieces rides. I had not intended to shoot wat...
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still life near the ocean
November 04, 2024
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4 Comments
Early morning hours are magical, regardless of the location. But living in the high desert of the southern Rocky Mountains, I tend to forget that the sound of the ocean is always there, never ceasing, and the birds that live in any given area near the ocean, communicate seemingly non-stop as well. An endless cycle of life. As the sun rises, many bi...
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the creative mind
October 27, 2024
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3 Comments
Creativity and the creative process has been a regular theme of my blogs. It differs from person to person, but creativity is a physical, mental, and emotional need that expresses itself consistently in artists and craftspeople of all stripes. And that need must be filled, as it lurks under the surface in our brains. Of the many discoveries on our...
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autumnal accents
October 13, 2024
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Autumn and the whole of nature moves at its own pace. The aspen color in the mountains is working its way from higher altitudes to lower altitudes. The gold and variations of orange can be seen both near the Santa Fe Ski area, and near Chama, and it has been a spectacular season. With rain predicted from Thursday through next Sunday, now is the tim...
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fur face
October 07, 2024
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Another Santa Fe Wool Festival is behind us, and as tends to be the case, it was a learning experience on many levels, including meeting and connecting with a variety of interesting people. Held at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, it has a similar feel to a state fair, which always includes animal judging. One of the judges this year was Jay Begay,...
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Nature's switch
September 29, 2024
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The opening of autumn in northern New Mexico defies description. Perfect days with crisp blue skies, dotted with a fleeting cloud or two, and nights occasionally bringing the closing acts of thunder and lightning, trying to wring out what little moisture is left in the atmosphere. It is magnificent. Responding to precisely the right conditions, the...
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alien in the garden
September 22, 2024
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We have heard a lot about aliens lately - in reference to people not in the country legally, and those which might be associated with UFOs - but not much about those residing in the garden. I realize this might not be the most desirable photographic theme to some people, but the big green grasshopper residing on a basil plant caught my attention....
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revelatory rain
September 16, 2024
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5 Comments
The rain fell gently during the night, leaving behind evocative water droplets, revealing easily missed details in the natural landscape. As you have read here many times before, rain in New Mexico is a spectator sport. Particularly after extended stretches of dry weather, which has been the case in the last couple of weeks. Although the dryness ma...
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Festival time of year
September 09, 2024
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Just when the amount of daylight in any given day is changing radically as the autumnal equinox approaches, and the morning temperatures become cooler making more mellow days, animal activity (including human) actually increases. Migratory birds are preparing for their trips to warmer climates. Hummingbirds and seed eaters are feeding on everything...
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bun ready
September 01, 2024
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2 Comments
The monsoon rains bring nature's culinary specialties when just the right conditions present themselves. Mushrooms and fungi emerge from the
forest duff and debris, and it doesn't take long for animals of all stripes to discover them, including humans. It was always a wonder to me when those who were experts said they were going mushroom hunting i...
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Throughout the years
August 26, 2024
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1972 was a good monsoon year. Thunderstorms punctuated almost every afternoon and evening. A particularly rousing storm shook the travel trailer and another camper in which at least ten of Fred's relatives drove to Albuquerque. Mind you, coastal areas on the west coast are not known for thunderstorms. Earthquakes, yes, but this particular storm has...
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It is about the people
August 18, 2024
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On a very rainy August day fifty two years ago, our plan was to camp at Hyde Park in the mountains near Santa Fe. But because of the rain, we checked into the El Rey Court, and then drove to the Plaza. Little did we know when we ventured into the Plaza that the 50th Indian Market was in progress. Then, as now the first response to the hundreds of b...
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the creep factor
August 11, 2024
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Reading my blogs this summer, you might think that I have a keen interest in insects. That is not really true, although they are fascinating in their own ways. And for some reason, I keep seeing them, which means they become photographic subjects. To me, many of them have a real creep factor. One of these is the praying mantis. The bright green bod...
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© Daryl A. Black