Jackson Square

Today we were in New Orleans and I always love to have beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde. I walked up to Washington Artillery Park and was able to get a great picture of Jackson Square.

Sun Setting Over the Swamp

As I was making my way into New Orleans this evening I looked over and saw this beautiful view of the swamp. I pulled over and snapped this picture without getting out of the car. I surprised myself that it looked so good.

Crystal Shrine Grotto

In Memphis, TN if you visit Memorial Park Cemetery you will also be able to see the Crystal Shrine Grotto. I found the link to this on Roadside America and just had to visit. This picture is taken just outside the Grotto. I was taken aback by the serenity of the entire park.

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Today I visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Even though it 13 years have passed since this tragedy took place, I was able to stand at this reflecting pool and remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news.

Aspen Leaves

I took a short hike this morning at the Black Canyon Campground. There was definitely the signs of fall in the air and in the changing leaves. I got this picture of some aspen leaves holding on to the remnants of summer.

I'm Ready for My Close-Up . . . Mr. Dandelion

I took a walk this afternoon and came upon this large dandelion. The flower was as big as both of my fists put together. At first I took pictures of the entire flower and then I zoomed in - I liked the close-up better.

Phlox 'David'

I saw this beautiful white cluster of flowers in a garden today as I took my afternoon walk. It took me a while but finally figured out that it was Phlox 'David'. I thought it was a good looking flower.

Chestnuts

Took a very leisurely walk today to gather my thoughts. Along the walk I encountered all these chestnuts on the sidewalk. The tree they came from was huge and very full of nuts. I really love the way they have a woodgrain pattern to them.

Sunshine Yellow

These are the words that came to mind when I encountered these flowers. Sunshine Yellow just fit the picture perfectly. I really enjoyed capturing this image.

Song in the Morning

It was a beautiful morning. It was calm and cool. I decided to sit out on the porch and have my coffee. There were birds at our pond and they were just singing their little songs. It was a relaxing way to start a sunday morning.

Buddleia

The Butterfly Bush in our yard is continuing to bloom. I love these little tiny flowers that are clustered into big plumes. The color is still vibrant even this later in the season.

Morning Sun on the Trail

Early this morning I took a hike on the Black Canyon Campground Trail. It was a beautiful yet chilly start to the day. I caught this photo of the sun peeking through the trees - can you imagine a better way to start the day.

The Tracks

This afternoon I took a short stroll down the Rail Trail. The trail follows the railroad tracks from Santa Fe to Lamy. As I took this picture all I could think about was how lonely the tracks seemed.

Skulls and Santa Fe

While driving around in Santa Fe today I passed a house with this skull hanging on the wall. I thought is was so Santa Fe and immediately thought of Georgia O'Keeffe.

Cosmidium x burridgeanum 'Brunette'

This little flower popped up in the yard over the past weekend. We don't even know how it got there - at least we don't remember planting it. I looked it up and it is a Cosmidium "Brunette" - I think!

At the Railyard

This past weekend was the Grand Opening of the new Santa Fe Railyard. I didn't get to the festivities but this morning I went and walked around. It looks like it will be a great area to hang out and shop - I had a great time exploring the area.

Rio Grande

We took another drive today to Taos. Along the way we stopped and took pictures of the Rio Grande. I sat at the edge of the river to get this shot. I really love this angle.

Orilla Verde

We took a drive today headed for Taos. We took a detour and visited Orilla Verde Recreation Area. This was an incredible drive through the Rio Grande Gorge with beautiful views everywhere you looked.

Clowning Around at the State Fair

I visited the New Mexico State Fair this afternoon. I watched this clown doing face painting on children. I love all the colors.

Silk Flowers

This picture is of a silk arrangement I saw today. I took the picture but really didn't think that it would come out all that well. I was surprised to find that I wanted it to be my picture of the day.

International Harvester

I took a short walk on the property this afternoon and I loved the way the sun was hitting this old International Harvester truck. I am not sure the year of this truck but it has been sitting on the property since I moved here.

Another Stormy Day

It seems that almost everyday brings a thunderstorm to Santa Fe. this afternoon I went out to see another stormy day beginning to form. I don't want to sound like I am complaining because I really have been enjoying the moisture.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose . . .

The last of our roses are blooming and with all the rain we have been having they have been beautiful. I think though this may be the last of them for the year - they seem to be fading fast.

Bosque del Apache

We took a little driving tour of Bosque del Apache this afternoon. Since it is summer there really aren't very many birds around. We did see a roadrunner, a blue heron, about 9 wild turkeys and a few turtles. Other than that it was just a peaceful drive.

Southfork Trail

I did a little hiking today in the White Mountain National Forest. The Southfork Trail was absolutely beautiful. It had a couple of small waterfalls and lots of wildflowers. It was very pleasant and relaxing day.

Quarai

I am on a trip to the southern part of New Mexico. My first stop of the day was at QuaraiSalinas Pueblos Missions National Monument. Of the missions grouped in this monument, Quarai is my favorite. Mission Ruins. These ruins are part of the

Rudbeckia

I went on a short hike today and was amazed at all the wildflowers in bloom. I guess that all the rain we have been having has helped. I found this beautiful yellow flower and captured this picture. When I got home I was looking it up - I was unable to identify it perfectly but I am pretty sure that it falls in the group of coneflowers called Rudbeckia.

Sunflower and Bee

During my afternoon walk I encountered this lone sunflower. I took a few pictures and moved along. On my way back I stopped again and found a bee on the sunflower. I think that sunflowers and bees go well together - at least they look good together on this picture.

Morning Glories

While taking a walk downtown today I took a detour on a side steet moving away from the Plaza. I passed a house with a wall in front of it. The wall had a bunch of beautiful Morning Glories growing on it. I was glad I took the detour.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

We had some great weather today. Beautiful sunshine and big, fluffy, white clouds. So after work I took a walk down Canyon Road. I always love an art walk and with the great weather I took advantage of a beautiful afternoon. I found this sculpture entitled Rock, Paper, Scissors and it brought back tons of childhood memories. This sculpture is by Kevin Box and is located at Selby Fleetwood Gallery.