Happy Halloween!!!

Well it's Halloween! I can't say that I'm that much into it at this point in my life. But there was a time I like dressing up and celebrating. I still like seeing Jack-o-lanterns and I like seeing the creative costumes that people come up with but that is about it. We did have a little Halloween celebration at work today and this picture is one of the pumpkins entered into the carving contest. And I do hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Scarecrow and Pumpkins

Every year one of the churches in Santa Fe sells pumpkins around Halloween. I drove by this morning and took a few pictures. I liked this scarecrow guarding his pumpkins.

The Changing Oak

I took a walk today after work to find something to photograph. I encountered this beautiful Oak Tree full of color. I love the changing of the seasons and I particularly love when Fall arrives and brings its beautiful colors.

Our Little Orb Weaver

I posted a picture before of this cat-faced spider. It has been hanging around our porch for months now. Today when I got home it was sitting on the wall right near the door. It belongs to the broader family of spiders known as Orb Weavers.

Trimerotropis pallidipennis

Today I was out in the yard watching all the birds and this large grasshopper jumped right onto my leg . My immediate reaction was to push it off. And once it was on the ground I started taking pictures. I loved the way it looked like it was wearing camouflagued clothes. After some research I found that it is a pallidwinged grasshopper or Trimerotropis pallidipennis.

Colorful Throws

Today I did a little walk around the Plaza in Santa Fe. About of block off the Plaza at Washington and Water Streets there are some vendors selling all sorts of things. These colorful throws caught my eye and I thought they would make a great picture.

Mexican Jay

Lately my yard has been full of birds and most of them are these beautiful blue Mexican Jays (aka Gray-breasted Jays). I am not sure if they are just having a stop over on their way to warmer places or if they are here for the winter - but I love having them here.

Fat Little Birdie

I took this picture this morning while I was sitting on the porch having my coffee. This little bird is so fat I just had to wonder if he was storing fat for winter or was he going to fly off somewhere a little warmer - it made me think what do most birds do in winter - stay put or head south?

Illuminated Old Glory

This afternoon I was walking around the property and taking pictures but nothing that stood out. When I got back to the house I was standing in a spot that made the American Flag look like it was being illuminated by the sun.

My Little Boo

I was outside today and Boudreaux kept following me around. I think he missed me when I was gone. Boudreaux is my 12 year old English Bulldog.

A View From Above

Today we flew home from Connecticut. We spent most of the day in the airport or in planes. I took a few photos when in the airport but none of them seem good enough. I did manage to get a few good shots from the plane. I got this shot from above Chicago.

Fall Color

We have been in Connecticut for the past week. I think we may have missed the best of the fall colors. But I managed to find a few patches of color during out hikes. I really loved the mottled red and yellow of this leaf.

Northwest Park

Today I spent the day with friends at Northwest Park in Windsor, CT. We had a great time walking the trails and talking. It was a great park with its red barns and fall colors.

Old State House

This morning I took a little walk a few blocks from the hotel in downtown Hartford, CT. One of the first buildings I passed was the Old State House. I really liked the top part of the building with the clock tower the most.

Covered Bridge at Oak Grove

Today I spent the afternoon hiking in Oak Grove Nature Center. It was absolutely beautiful. The trail crosses a stream via this covered bridge. I had an incredible time in this park.

Connecticut State Capitol as Seen from Bushnell Park

Today I visited Bushnell Park and enjoyed the sculptures and fountain. When I was walking around the fountain I got a glimpse of the Capitol. And as I pulled back a little I got this terrific photo of both of them.

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial

We are in Hartford, CT and went for dinner tonight in the downtown area. After dinner we took a walk and ended up near Bushnell Park and the State Capitol. On the was there we walked through this Arch. I thought it was incredible.

Another Spectacular Sunset

After a day of continuous rain the sun decided to come out from behind the clouds just in time for sunset. And what a spectacular sunset it was - golden and bright - the perfect end to a rainy day.

Hey There, Doll Face

Thomas' Mom had a nice collection of dolls that Thomas is now deciding what to do with. They will probably go to his nieces but we aren't sure yet. Anyway he got them down off the shelves to clean and I was able to get a few pictures.

What a View!

This morning I went on a short hike off of Hwy 285 in Santa Fe. the hike took us up about 500 feet to the top of a hill and provided us with this view. I just love Hiking in Santa Fe.

Balloon Flame

This morning we got up early to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. We got there, parked and made our way to the field. Then the announcement came that it was too windy for the balloons to go up. I did get this picture of one of the balloons prepping to go up before the cancellation.

Brilliant Clouds

Tonight the sky was covered in clouds and the sunset just radiated color onto the bottoms of the clouds. It was a brilliant show of light and color.

Western Fence Lizard

Today I noticed lots of lizards running around the yard. I caught this one as he was emerging from under this flagstone. I think it is a Western Fence Lizard but I had a little difficulty making a positive ID.

Calliopsis

This little flower bloomed in our yard during the past week. We returned from a vacation to find the yard sprinkled with this beautiful yellow and red Calliopsis.

Aspens in Fall Color

I took a drive this morning up Hyde Park Road. The Aspens are changing into their Fall colors. The drive was spectacular - I may have to go up there again this weekend.

Back in the Land of Enchantment

We arrived back in New Mexico from our trip to the South. We stopped at the new Welcome Center on I40 as you enter New Mexico from Texas. The wind was really blowing and I got a snapshot of the flags really waving and welcoming us back into The Land of Enchantment.

Monarch Butterflies

Today I was out at White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX. There were all these Monarch Butterflies around. I was lucky enough to catch two of them at the same time.

Saint John Cemetery

This morning I visited St. John Cathedral and took a walk in the Saint John Cathedral Cemetery. I just love the raised graves.

Acadian Village

I am in Lafayette LA for my Dad's wedding. Today I went to Acadian Village. I love this place - it is beautiful, relaxing and educational. This is a picture of the church just across a pond.

Odocoileus virginianus

Today I was in a small park in a small town and two deer came out of tall grasses just outside the park. I started taking pictures and the deer didn't seem to be worried. They eventually came closer and I was able to get a really great shot.

Spanish Moss

We took a walk through an old cemetery this morning. There were quite a few Oak trees and all of them were covered in Spanish Moss. It was a really beautiful setting.