High country pilgrimage

At the change of seasons, I like to make a pilgrimage of sorts to the beautiful mountains between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla.  By now, you know my love for Highway 64, which winds through the high country revealing stands of cottonwoods, aspen, spruce, and fir, as well as views of the Brazos Cliffs.  It is my favorite drive in New Mexico, and judging by the number of bicycles and motorcycles on the road, others find it enticing as well.

Every trip is different.  My goal during the drive last week was to photograph wild iris, but the relative lack of spring moisture made the season short.  Few were in bloom and most were far beyond their prime.  In addition, I would guess that nearly 90% of the aspen were filled with bag worms, leaving few leaves on the trees.  The birds and animals which eat the resulting moths are going to have a very good growing season indeed.

Not to be deterred, I explored one of the rest stops that looks out over the Brazos, searching for one of my other favorite subjects - marsh marigolds.  They were there but lurking amongst them was something I had never seen before in the wild - shooting stars.  These little jewels are visual eye candy but you have to be sitting on the ground, better yet, on your back to photograph them.  Luckily the normally marshy area in which they are found was dry enough for me to work.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image