Route 66: Old and New

A colorful collage of old and new signs along old Route 66 in Santa Rosa.

Return of the Curve Billed Thrasher

Another curve billed thrasher, perched on a cholla branch. It finally rained a bit last night and the world suddenly got greener.

Glenrio Diner

Both Texas and New Mexico claim Glenrio, as it straddles the border between the two states on old Route 66. There's not much left of it now, although it does seem that a few folks still live there.

Yucca Blossoms

The yuccas started blooming, almost overnight, and it seems it's a really good year for them. I'm predicting that it'll be a good year for century plants as well -- they seem to love the hot, dry weather.

Blue Swallow Motel

Icons of Route 66, both the Blue Swallow Motel and its neon sign have been lovingly restored.

Route 66 Neon

Classic Route 66 neon, restored in Tucumcari.

Route 66 Monument

A monument to Route 66 in front of the Tucumcari Convention Center.

Century Plant

The leaves of a century plant, so called because they live for decades before they bloom. When they finally do bloom, an asparagus-looking stalk shoots right up from the center. The stalk grows so quickly that you can easily see dramatic changes from one day to the next (as in Jack and the Beanstalk).

Cactus Blossom

The first I've seen this year! I think it's claret cup cactus -- I found it in the Sandia foothills late this afternoon.

Brenda's Pansies

Brenda's pansies are gorgeous this year.

Margo's Tulip

Margo has the prettiest tulips each spring.

Tollefsrud Memorial

Shortly before sunset at the Philip B. Tollefsrud Memorial sculpture garden. The memorial is in the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, which is just a small part of Albuquerque's extensive Open Space lands.

Neighborhood Watch

A cat keeps a close eye on the stranger in his neighborhood.

Student at UNM

A very young student walks across the UNM campus in Albuquerque.

Travelstead Hall

Travelstead Hall's stained glass wall, at the University of New Mexico.

Prairie Dog

A prairie dog amongst the mustard weeds. It's been so dry there are hardly any wildflowers... but we still have mustard weed (sigh).

Another Sunset

Sunset looking west from Albuquerque, with Mt. Taylor in the distance. This photo was taken from the balcony of my new apartment. :-)

Curve Billed Thrasher

A curve billed thrasher sits on a cholla branch and sings his intricate song.

Church with Flowers

The San Felipe de Neri Church, on Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque, is framed by the blossoms of a flowering plum tree.

Albuquerque Sunset

The myriad lights of Albuquerque begin to twinkle on as the sun sets behind Mt. Taylor, 80 miles distant.

Guadalupe and Butterflies

A tapestry of the Virgin of Guadalupe is seen through a store window embellished with a butterfly windchime.

Green Chairs

Green tables and chairs on a restaurant patio in Old Town Albuquerque.

Old Town Store

Entrance to a closed store in Old Town Albuquerque.

Brick Walkway

A brick walkway in Old Town Albuquerque incorporates a cross.

Blue Grama Grass

Dried blue grama grass glows in the late afternoon sunlight.

Acmon Blue Butterfly

I saw lots of these little guys in the Sandia foothills today. But I haven't seen any Sandia hairstreaks for a couple of weeks now.

Yucca Silhouette

Tonight's sunset made a silhouette of a large yucca.