This is the spiniest cactus I have ever seen.

Petroglyphs at Three Rivers, New Mexico

This is my first attempt at making a texture specifically for a photo.  Not sure if I like it.

In the distance from Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home, the cliffs she called ‘The White Place’ can be seen.  She would drive there and camp, wander and draw and pick up a few rocks.

I had an O’Keeffe weekend visiting her Abiquiu home, photographing the Pedernal, walking around the White Place and finishing up at the O’Keeffe museum in Santa Fe.  And I learned to spell ‘Abiquiu.’

Thoughts from that trip – I didn’t realize she was 61 when she moved to the Abiquiu house which was beautiful, but not easy living.  She had a huge garden and dried or canned much of her food.

I took the guided tour of the house – the only way to see inside.  No cameras, no sketchbooks, no writing paper allowed.  I felt naked.  But also alive to paying attention in a way that a camera prohibits.  Not sure I want to spend more time without my camera, but it was a strong experience.

I admire O’Keeffe, but didn’t appreciate all of her art, especially some of the more abstract (she would never use that term) – one was just a curvy line down the canvas.  And then I saw the view from her home of the road – that same curved line.  Elegant.  I got it.

Walking in the White Place picturing her camping and drawing helped me slow down and get a feel for the area.  When I travel I rarely take time to sit and sketch or just look.  I might do that now.

These thoughts have stayed with me for a few weeks now.  The O’Keeffe immersion was strong and positive.  And I can still spell Abiquiu.

This year’s unmated Gambel’s Quail looking for a mate.

Gambel’s Quail are pairing up now after spending the winter in large flocks.  And every year, there is one left over – unmated.  And quite sad to watch and hear.  Why is the ‘leftover’ quail always a male?  I have never seen an unpaired female.

This almost qualifies for Friday Fences!

It’s best known for the carvings done by Ross Ward who was creative and prolific.  There are several huge cases exhibiting detailed scenes – jam-packed with carvings.

I liked the bottle walls and decorations.

Definitely worth a visit.

This is my best ever find in the desert.  It was in a pile of mostly car stuff dumped years ago.  It’s heavy, but I carried it out to the car.  I love it.  I expect it will be the subject of many photographs.  And I hope sometime a centerpiece of yard art.

An old ranch fence still standing on White Sands Missile Range near the Trinity Site.

Linking to Friday Fences.