Enchanted Sunrise Over San Pedro

In November, I learned about the Landscape Dreams Photo Contest (sponsored by Santa Fe Creative Tourism, in celebration of publication of Landscape Dreams, a New Mexico Portrait with photographs by Craig Varjabedian – author of numerous photo books and a 1991 Emmy award winner).

Of three photos I entered, I learned today that Enchanted Sunrise Over San Pedro is among the prize winners, and I now share it with you!

Sunrise, San Pedro Mountain, New Mexico

The way the sun bounced light on the clouds as it climbed up over San Pedro peak was indeed enchanting.

Enchanted Sunrise Over San Pedro is now available for purchase in a variety of mediums. Click here to visit my Fine Art website. While you are there, check out the other images available. Feel free to pass it on to others.

 

Hunting

I saw a flutter out of the corner of my eye a couple days ago. when I looked out I saw this….

He sat there on the vent on top of the house for  a couple minutes before flying down to a nearby tree. It was clear he was after a smaller bird.

Then he swooped around the house and landed on a fence post by the back patio JUST as I walked out the door to look for him.

He was attentive to any motion that could mean supper. I snapped several shots before he launched into the tree.

I so love the opportunity to observe wildlife right in my own back yard!

 

Ghostly Sunrise

Ghostly suriseI looked out at sunrise to see smoke from the largest forest fire in New Mexico State history lingering in the still air. The Whitewater-Baldy Fire in the Gila National Forest has burned more than 354 square miles of mostly wilderness area.

Over 200 miles away, the sunrises have somewhat of a sepia tone when photographed. This particular photo somehow has a peaceful yet ghostly, historical appearance to it.

While forest fires seem devastating and destructive, they are important in removing dead wood and brush so healthy new growth can occur.

Morning Walk

I couldn’t resist a morning walk when I saw the sun shining on the yucca pods in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They just glisten in the morning sun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the delicate flowers beside the stout fence post.

The new growth on the Cholla Cactus appears rich and succulent.

Towee was sure enjoying the sunshine too!

Snapdragons prevail in the east field right now.

Red finch seem quite happy to perch on the cactus…it seems a safe place for them since nothing else is going to brave the thorns!Hummingbird takes time to get some breakfast while the sun shines on his back and warms his wings.Everything seems to thrive in the sunshine.

Challenge yourself to get out in the morning and see the gifts of nature put out before you! Chances are you won’t have to look far to see something beautiful and perfect. Where ever you are, you can count it your very own nature park just as I count this as my nature park!

Peeking Lizard

Lizard scurried beneath a railroad tie when we saw me. I looked down and just could see him through a crack in the tie.

Clearly he knew I could see him, as he just sat very still looking at me….probably hoping I wouldn’t try to catch him!

“I see you looking at me looking at you!”

Sky Canvas

Sunrise today painted the sky with a wide assortment of colors and brush strokes. The intensity left me feeling as though I had been painted into the universe as well.

Really, every individual has been painted in…We each may seem but a tiny pixel on the entire canvas, but every pixel is necessary to make a complete picture. If even one “tiny” spot jumps off the board, it is separate, creating duality. When the pixel remains in the place it was intended, the picture is one, complete, whole…part of unity.

Like the clouds and the colors in the sky, it matters not what color or shape you are, nor what part you play…you are part of the perfect picture.

Soaring Through Life

As I worked at my desk, in my peripheral vision I saw a huge shadow glide across the roof of the wing next to me. I looked up in time to watch a hawk glide to a tree about 300 feet away.

A clear picture out the window was not possible, so I stepped out side, armed with my camera. I quietly moved up some stairs and up the hill to the south, my socked feet begging to not find cactus on the desert floor.

Finally, I was within 30 feet of this beautiful creature. He seemed content to pose for me for a while before gliding back to the north, toward a patio area behind our house where we feed smaller birds.

I crept silently until I discovered him sitting on the roof peak.

Once again, he seemed quite content to pose for me from nearly 30 feet up.

“This is my domain and I’m on the lookout” was the look in his eye as he peered around from side to side.

Suddenly, he crouched and sprung to the air. He flew down over the roof and by the time I saw him again a few seconds later he was soaring gracefully through the sky directly overhead.

It quickly became apparent he had either injured his left wing or simply lost a chunk of feathers. here he flies to the southwest with the sun in his face, glistening over his shoulders.

Here he’s tilted so the sun highlights his underside.

It didn’t take long to realize he was not alone. This guy joined in the air dance. The two soared around me for about five minutes before disappearing from sight.

They are such beautiful, graceful animals. And they have a wonderful example for us.

They live their lives, seemingly without a care in the world. They know they will have food when they need it. Of course, being on the high end of the food chain helps their attitude there. What if we could live without a care in the world? What if we could be content knowing that what we need will be there when it’s needed?

These great birds perch somewhere high to survey their kingdom. We are wise to observe what is going on around us…with attentiveness, discernment and lack of judgment. Simply see things as they are.

Hawks soar to great heights with ease. When we allow ourselves to be completely who we are, we may just find ourselves soaring over all life’s trivial problems with ease.

It’s time for us each to consider our own divinely appointed ability to soar through life.

Top photo available for purchase as prints, canvas, acrylics, and note cards.

New Mexico Sunrise

The colors of New Mexico Sunrises are always varying from moment to moment. In this one the sunlight burst over the horizon painting the sky from white to yellow to orange to red. What an awe-inspiring and peaceful sky to wake to!

Available for purchase as prints, canvas, acrylics, and note cards.