Donna at Garden Walk, Garden Talk started a meme, called Word for Wednesday. I'm a word junkie. I have a favorite word and a penultimate favored word. I subscribe to word of the day and I used to subscribe to urban word of the day. So I love this meme!
Today's Word for Wednesday is illumination. The light in Santa Fe is remarkable. Sometimes, I see someone pulled over to the side of the road to photograph the sun setting. It's one of the reasons, I didn't move to a more urban area after living here a few years. Even though my intentions were otherwise.
Recently, I've spent more time at the dog park than in my garden. I've had my dog, Aster for over a year and can't seem to exercise her enough unless we go there.
The light in the moments between the sun setting and dusk are luminous there. Sometimes, I bring Aster's pal, Guinness to frolic with her.
Many thanks to Donna for hosting Word for Wednesday and check out more posts on illumination.
Today's Word for Wednesday is illumination. The light in Santa Fe is remarkable. Sometimes, I see someone pulled over to the side of the road to photograph the sun setting. It's one of the reasons, I didn't move to a more urban area after living here a few years. Even though my intentions were otherwise.
I do not think there is a prettier place on earth to capture the light than New Mexico. Many famous artists and photographers agree too. The landscape shadows so interestingly and well. Forms morph over the span of the day. Light sparkles off the rough vegetation as a kind of dichotomy. A play on many opposites that I see in your photos. Color magnifies in NM and the skies are painted with brush strokes of grandeur. That shot of Aster says both pensive and illumination to me. The hills in the background have great lighting and muted color. Thanks much for joining. Lovely images.
ReplyDeleteWonderful captures for illumination. Hope you have time to stop by and see mine.
ReplyDeleteI love your examples of illumination! Very well done! I have two dogs just 1 year old and they have endless amounts of energy too so I can relate to trying to get your dog worn out.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to see the illumination from your neck of the woods...lovely!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos but I like Aster the best. :)
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
The form of the cacti are so interesting, but I love how the light illuminates each thorn in the first picture. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteSzkoda, ze to oświetlone jest takie kolczaste :-). Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteYour photos capture the light so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI have spent some time in Santa Fe and the light is amazing especially on those cholla cacti.
ReplyDeleteThese shots are very inspiring, making me also see the place aggravated also by Donna's comment. Now i will try looking at places here with your description to capture some illumination too! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat enchanting pictures of the Land of Enchantment. NM is high on DH's destination vacation list. When he sees this post, it's going to soar to the top of the list!
ReplyDelete@GWGT - Donna, thanks for the great meme and for leaving such a great comment! I think the light here lends itself to contrasts, which as you've noticed I'm so fond of.
ReplyDelete@Crafty Gardener - thanks for stopping by. I think your post shows how soft and delicate light can be and mine tends to show the harsher side.
@Karin, thanks for the visit. Aster is two, but she seems to have boundless energy. Two dogs, wow! I think Aster needs a companion, but I can't manage all the vacuuming.
@The Sage Butterfly - Michelle, I think I spend too much time at the dog park and might need to be more garden oriented for Donna's next WFW.
ReplyDelete@Cher - I like that photo, too. I did a bad job of labeling it though. It's Aster's first friend, Guinness.
@Holley and Giga - The thorns do hurt! I had to pull some out a few weeks ago of a dog that must have run into the cholla and his front paw was covered in spines. Ouch indeed!
@Patricia - Thanks so much. The phone camera works so much better than I expected and it's so handy because I always have it with me.
ReplyDelete@Carolyn - I think I fell in the love with light in New Mexico.
@Andrea - Thanks, I look forward to seeing your post and your perspective on illumination.
@Cathy and Steve - I should probably show some more picturesque views of SF than the dog park if it's on the vacation wish list. :)
I like the way you used the word to illuminate your thoughts process about your life. Christina Hope you'll join Garden Bloggers Foliage Day. http://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/garden-bloggers-foliage-day-22nd-september/
ReplyDeleteChristina
Oh my goodness. I love New Mexico and these pictures are awesome! Cher sent me over and I am so happy that she did, just beautiful. I will be following you now because I want to see more.
ReplyDeleteThe warmth in your photos is amazing. I had my own lesson in illumination recently, when I took some late night photos in the garden. The flash brought out the most vivid colors, which I've posted. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete@Christina - Garden Bloggers' Foliage Day sounds like fun. I will try to join.
ReplyDelete@Ginger Zuck - Thanks for following. New Mexico is great. I love living here.
@nittygrittydirtman - The sun just seems to glisten off the cacti spines at that time of day.
I love all the shadows in the pictures!
ReplyDelete@Tatyana - I like them, too. One of my first housemates in New Mexico introduced me to looking at the shadows when I first moved here in 1992.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture totally took me back to a year ago. My friend Edie and I drove from Vancouver Island to Utah to volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. It was an incredible experience. We stayed on the grounds and behind the cottage were cactus's like that. I took some similar pictures. Back lighting.
ReplyDeleteLiving in New Mexico you are usually surrounded by brilliant light. "Illumination" should come naturally for you. Judging from your post, I am right. Very nice.
ReplyDeletenellie
GirlSprout, you captured exactly what I love love love about NM--the light shimmering on the cholla spines, and the whole different quality of light on the landscape behind them. Really wonderful. Sometimes (often) I wish I lived in a less urban part of the state--city air just isn't the same. Gorgeous post!
ReplyDelete@Erin - I'm glad the photos brought back a fond memory for you.
ReplyDelete@Beyond - Thanks Nellie. It does. People go into a funk here when there isn't sunshine.
@Stacy - I spend so much time at the dog park. I've grown to appreciate its rugged beauty.
Beautiful ! Lovely tobe able take your dog to an area where we don't have tonput on thier leash.
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