Sunrise-Sunset "Adios, Amigos!"

Since I returned from Santa Fe to St. Paul, Minnesota more than a week ago, I guess it's about time to say "Hasta Luego" to this blog and concentrate on Visual St. Paul instead. Please come visit me in St. Paul! The sunrises and sunsets are glorious in New Mexico.

 I shall miss them!

Camera Critters--An Artistic Horse

This piece of painted metal artwork was hanging on a wall in one of the rooms in the Ranchos Plaza Grill that we visited before.  It's not exactly my style of art, but it is certainly different.

To see more photos of camera critters that have been posted by bloggers from around the world, go here.

Alvaro Cardona-Hine Gallery #2

Our friend, Marty with Barbara McCauley, DH, and Alvaro during our brief visit to see these two talented artists who live in Truchas, New Mexico.  I introduced you to them yesterday with a bit of background information. The photographer seldom gets into the photo!

Cardona-Hine Gallery in Truchas, New Mexico

These two talented artists moved to Truchas, New Mexico about 2 decades ago from St. Paul, Minnesota.
When you take The High Road to Taos, be sure to stop at their gallery because you will be enthralled by their art and will be treated graciously and with hospitality by both of them.

Born in San Jose, Costa Rica, Cardona-Hine has lived in the United States since 1939.  He s a self-taught artist practicing three disciplines: painting, writing and music composition.  His work is in public and private collections world-wide.

Barbara McCauley said, " Here in New Mexico and in New England where I grew up, there is a reverence for the land by the people who inhabit it.  I paint that reverence.  This begins with an awareness of light, how light travels through space and falls on objects to create the illusive beauty of at the world." Her work is in collections all over the U.S. as well as abroad.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"H"- What a hat!

While shopping at Whole Foods in Santa Fe, I noticed this very large man with a wonderful Cowboy hat.  I decided to take a stealth shot, and it worked.  I was asked, however, not to take photos in the store by one of the cashiers. Since I was on private property, I decided to comply.

To see more ABC Wednesday photos for the letter "H"--check here!

ABC WEDNESDAY-"H"-Ross and Perry, Oryx Hunters

I met Russ and Perry in Alamagordo NM in a a breakfast room in motel filled with hunters who were trying to get one of the many Oryx in the 3-day hunting period allowed in that area.  Both of these men who live in the the Four Corners area had not known one another previously until they met that morning. Ironically, they live only about 10 miles from one another in their hometown. They told me about the history of the introduction in the 1960's of 9 African Oryx into this area around Alamagordo that has exploded into a population of thousands.  These animals are well-adapted to New Mexican terrain, and because the herds were not getting enough grazing food and had suffered starvation, hunters are now allowed to hunt them during a short time period of 3 days. Since Perry's wife holds the same negative opinion of hunting as I, we, nonetheless, had an interesting conversation about this hunting activity of theirs.

Here is some more information I learned about the beautiful Oryx animals:

The Oryx is a large African antelope that now lives in southern New Mexico. In 1969 the New Mexico State Department of Game and Fish decided to introduce Oryx to the Tularosa Basin in New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wanted to establish a huntable animal population in an area where there were not currently huntable numbers of big game. Oryx are specially adapted to desert life. They can go an indefinite period without drinking water. They feed on desert grasses, yucca, buffalo gourds, mesquite bean pods, and tumbleweeds.


To read a fascinating article, "A Graceful Gazelle Becomes a Pest," go here!

And to see more ABC WEDNESDAY POSTS, GO HERE!

Musician or Entrepeneur?

Although the hat looks empty it gradually filled with many greenbacks as this young musician played expertly at the Saturday's Farmers Market.  Perhaps music may not be in her future, but her instincts as an entrepreneur will probably be fulfilled. 

The Rainbow Man

One of my favorite shops in the Plaza is The Rainbow Man on Palace.  In the back of the shop, the Curtis Room displays many Curtis photographs as well as old Native American and Pendleton blankets. Not to be missed!  If I lived here year round I'd lobby to volunteer at this amazing store.

Chanticleer! Camera Critters

My Father who raised Bantam Roosters as a hobby would have loved these paintings.  Geoffrey Chaucer who wrote the Cantebury Tales probably would have enjoyed them also.  As I was struggling with the Middle English language of Chaucer's 14th Century masterpiece, I fell in love with Chanticleer, the proud and foolish rooster.

The paintings are hanging in McLarry's Art Gallery on Canyon Road.

To see how other bloggers treated Camera Critters today, go here.

Old Adobe church in Abiquiu, New Mexico

DH and I are on our way back to St. Paul, Minnesota, taking the southern route.  We should be in Oklahoma City today, visiting the Cowboy Heritage Museum and the Memorial. I'll still be posting photos from Santa Fe for a week or two, though...so keep coming back 'til I tell you that I'm switching blogs again.

This gate opens into the courtyard of the old adobe church, St. Thomas, in Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Theme Day-March, 2012-Electricity

Electricity is a pretty challenging theme, and I didn't think that I would participate this month, but Eureka!  There are murals painted on many electrical utility boxes all over Santa Fe.  This one by the railroad crossing close to the Farmers Market is a perfect example.

Added later:  I swear that Randy and I did NOT collaborate on our photos today!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

ABC Wednesday-"G"-Gates

In two previous posts I have shown you painted gates here and here, but these are unpainted or of natural stain. Whether they are painted or not, each casa has their own individual signature gate.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, click here.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"G"-Rio Grande Gorge

About 7 miles outside of Taos is located a bridge that spans the Rio Grande Gorge at a truly dizzying height.  On a recent road trip to show a visiting guest some of the unusual phenomena in New Mexico, we drove the spectacular High Road to Taos, stopping at several small towns, art galleries and this restaurant I have already shown you.  When we arrived at the bridge, DH who saw the gorge for the first time was a bit stunned, seeing this remarkable river from a height of 650 ft. ,which seems much higher when standing on the bridge, looking down at the river! Coming upon this scene in high mountain desert terrain is an amazing surprise! To learn more about the bridge that spans this river, go to this Wiki site: 

Go here to see more ABC Wednesday posts.

O'Keeffe Country

 The scenery is spectacular when driving to Ghost Ranch where Georgia O'Keeffe owned a house and painted the landscape for a number of years before moving to Abiquiu.  It is familiar territory if you're familiar with her paintings. 

Window in Taos

Even some of the most humble dwellings in New Mexico add beauty to their surroundings.

Moo! Camera Critters

I saw this wonderful painting in McLarry's Art Gallery on Canyon Road.

To see more Camera Critters, click here.

SPA-10,000 Waves

These steps lead you to the fabulous Spa,-10,000 Waves, just outside the city limits of Santa Fe.  It is a place not to miss!  The hot tubs, massages, and relaxing room are exactly what the doctor ordered.  You can even be pampered overnight if you wish to stay longer. If you would like to see an interior photograph, here is a waterfall I posted in 2010 when I visited the spa for the first time.

As you enter the building, you are greeted by this soft and lovely image.

St. Francisco de Asis -Front view--

Anyone who is interested in New Mexico and Georgia O'Keeffe is familiar with the church below (small photo), which has been painted and photographed an unbelievably number of times. This iconic image which faces the street, however. is really the back of the church.  Few have seen the front of the church (the large photo), which is located at the back of the property,  so I have taken it upon myself to show both.  The other photo is a close-up of the adobe wall...real adobe, not  concrete.  If you'd like to know more about the history of the church, click here.

AbC WEDNESDAY-"F"-Fountains

I saw these unusual fountains outdoors at a gallery on Canyon Road.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos from bloggers posting from their cities from around the world,
go here.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"F"-Coyote Fence

We often can hear coyotes at night, calling to one another.  DH got lucky recently when he saw a coyote loping across a field at 5 pm.  In trying to find more information about these distinctive coyote fences which seem to be everywhere in the neighborhood, I found this information:

Fencing - Coyotes can jump over and dig under fences that are improperly built. Coyotes don't  leap fences in a single bound but, like domestic dogs, they grip the top with their front paws and  kick themselves upward and over with the back legs. Their tendency to climb will depend on the  individual animal and its motivation. Coyotes are also excellent diggers, therefore the type of  fence you install may require barriers be built into or extending from the ground. Eliminating the coyote's ability to grip the top of the fence is also recommended. The height of the fence should be a minimum of 6 feet in height and tightly flush with the ground. To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos from bloggers around the world, click here.

Doorways and Gates #2

When DH and I take Maggi, our dog, on daily walks in our neighborhood we pass many entrance gates, each unique to the casa.  Some are stained or unpainted, but many have the favorite New Mexico colors of blue or turquoise in varied shades. 

Neighborhood Terrain

I have no rational explanation nor can I explain why, but I really love this photo, which is an image I often see when DH and I are out walking in the neighborhood.  Perhaps it's because it is such a typical scene right now in New Mexico.  Not enough snow to relieve the drought, but the landscape is very arresting in its color and texture.

50 BIG ONES!!

50 YEARS ago today, DH and I eloped at Old St. Mary's Church in Chicago.  Since then the church has been razed, but we still are going strong and are still standing!  It's been a wild and interesting ride in many respects, but our marriage has mellowed and become sweet and serene. 

St. Elias, Greek Orthodox Church's Icons #2

 Yesterday I introduce a major icon in a beautiful church in Eldorado, New Mexico, named Saint Elias the prophet Greek Orthodox Church, which was established in 1992.

"Byzantine iconography is meant to cover the entire interior of the church.  It truly assists the faithful in feeling that they have been transported into heaven.  Since 1998, distinguished Greek iconographers Maria Sigala nod Nikos Spanopoulos, a husband and wife team, have painted the icons on canvas in Greece, then installed them at  St. Elias." Credit: Guide to the Icons


When we went to the church to see the icons, one of the parishioners who had taught Art History at Wellesley before retiring gave us an outstanding tour and explanation of the art work and history of the parish, inviting us back later.  Last Sunday (2/12/12)  we attended their service and stayed for coffee and a light snack afterwards.  What a welcoming parish! Had good conversations with several parishioners.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"E" St. Elias, Greek Orthodox Church's Icons

On January 31st, I posted a photo of the outside of St. Elias the Prophet Greek Orthodox Church.  The interior of this small church has an astonishing array of iconic paintings depicting various religious figures and biblical stories.  Iconographers, aria Sigala and Nikos Spanopoulos, from Athens Greece have done the paintings.  The one above is identified as the "Nativity of Christ", and is described in a"Guide to the Icons."


"The Virgin reclines at the entrance to the dark and humble cave in Bethlehem. The Holy Infant is within with an ox, ass and angels looking on.  A young shepherd holds a lamb, representing the Lamb of God (Christ).  Lower left corner: Infant Christ receives his first bath.  Right:  Joseph the Betrothed is confronted by the devil with doubts about the Virgin's conception."


To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos from bloggers around the world, go here.

Tomorrow:  More Icons!!

ABC WEDNESDAY-"E" Eternal Love

What better post for Valentine's Day than the well-known symbol for ETERNAL LOVE?! This artist was demonstrating his technique at a Canyon Road Gallery.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts, go here.

Sand Dune Fun!

While touring the Sand Dunes National Monument near Alamagordo, NM we stopped to watch small children slide down the sand dunes which you see in the background.  Asking permission to take their photos we talked to their mothers.  Debbie who is holding her little boy is an Air Force wife whose husband is stationed at Holloman Air Force base.  After 3 years she claims that she is "getting used to desert  life" but it's a far cry from her home in Minot, North Dakota. Her friend Jennie, a pastor's wife,  on her left is visiting Debbie from her home in Minot.  It seemed like a great union for the two women and their children who played happily on the dunes as we talked. The little guy didn't have too much to say for himself!