Friday, June 30, 2006

Classic Pickup

bright red pickup truck
A classic red pickup truck, of unknown make and vintage, at the Route 66 car show.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Ready to Ride

ready to ride in a 1955 t-bird at the route 66 car show
At the Route 66 car show last weekend, ready to go for a drive in a 1955 T-Bird. (Thanks to Janice and Wally, who not only gave me permission to use the photo but who were extraordinarily polite when it became clear that I was absolutely clueless about cars!)

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Route 66 Car Show

two guys, one with a cowboy hat, hanging out at the car show
Hanging out at the 2006 Old Route 66 Car Show Saturday afternoon. The show was part of a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Route 66.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Route 66: La Puerta

la puerta lodge at sunset in Albuquerque
La Puerta Lodge in Albuquerque, an old Route 66 motor court. Seems like only recently that the sign has indicated vacancies. You can see an old La Puerta postcard here.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Sandia Wildfire

smoke from a small wildfire in the Sandia wilderness
I thought it was part of the clouds at first. But it was very windy, and for a moment, that tiny "cloud" beneath the cloud bank became vertical instead of horizontal -- and I realized I was looking at the beginnings of a fire. Haven't heard anything about it since I saw it last night, so I'm guessing it's out (keeping my fingers crossed).

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Golden Hour

golden hour in the sandia foothills
A house in the Sandia foothills, lit by the late afternoon sun.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Marine Blue Butterfly

marine blue butterfly
I think this is a marine blue (Leptotes marina). This is a tiny butterfly (each wing is about the size of my thumbnail -- and I have fairly small hands); it's called a blue because the top side of its wings have a blue tint.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Corrales Vineyard

rows of grapevines in a Corrales vineyard
A vineyard in Corrales, with the Sandia mountains in the background.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Queen Butterfly

queen butterfly drinking from a flower
A queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) at the PNM Butterfly Pavilion in Albuquerque.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Prairie Dog Sentries

two prairie dog heads sticking out of their burrows
Two prairie dogs cautiously peer out of their burrows.
(No, they aren't ET's offspring -- I don't think.)

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Monday, June 19, 2006

Mountain Biking

mountain biking in the sandia foothills
Mountain biking in the Sandia foothills (with a little help from Matthew -- and Photoshop).

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Swan Lake

a swan and its reflection in the pond at the rio grande botanic garden
A swan and its reflection in the pond at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Fire Hazard

sign noting closure of sandia mountain wilderness due to extreme fire hazard
Our drought continues unabated, and most of the Sandia Ranger District remains closed due to the high risk of wildfire.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Widow Skimmer

widow skimmer dragonfly
I've known this dragonfly as a "zebra" in the past, but it appears it's actually called a widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa).

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

blue dasher dragonfly
I believe this dragonfly is a blue dasher (Pachydiplex longipennis).

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Monday, June 12, 2006

Century Plant Blossoms

century plant blossoms
Century plant blossoms, up close and personal. It's usually hard to see them because, by the time they bloom, the stalks are way taller than most people (including yours truly).

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Tiger Swallowtail

western tiger swallowtail butterfly
A western tiger swallowtail butterfly rests on a blade of grass.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Friday, June 09, 2006

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Southwestern Fountain

a sign in albuquerque's old town, seen through a southwestern style fountain
A sign in Old Town Albuquerque, seen through a stucco fountain adorned with ristras.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Bandelier: Lower Falls

lower waterfall at bandelier national monument
The lower falls at Bandelier National Monument. You can read a description of the hike here.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Alcove House

alcove house -- formerly called the ceremonial cave -- at Bandelier National Monument
Alcove House (formerly called the Ceremonial Cave) at Bandelier National Monument.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Orange Butterfly

variegated fritillary butterfly
A variegated fritillary butterfly (Euptoieta claudia) perches on a cosmos blossom.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Northern Pygmy Owl

northern pygmy owl
I got lucky last week and saw this pygmy owl at Bandelier -- thanks to Sally the ranger, who was standing there taking pictures of it (I would never have seen it otherwise).