People Watching

Now that all of our festivals and craft shows have passed the plaza has been pretty slow. Every now and then a bus load of tourist will come by. This foursome were also just passing through. Get a load of that top hat. Have a great start to your week.

Lonely Shadow

Rural New Mexico

Every year while drive along the Taos High Road Studio Tour we pass this area. I always love this spot because it's usually where I can find some Fall colors. The shrub with a little touch of yellow in the foreground is called Chamisa in these parts (it's also known as Rabbitbush) and at this time of year it makes allergy suffers cringe.

Flowers and Vigas

I shot this close to one of my favorite shops in the Taos plaza. I will be making another trip up there tomorrow, I can't wait. Wishing you all a happy Friday.

Kit Carson Home & Museum

This is the Taos home of American Frontiersman Kit Carson. To find out more about the home and museum click here. To read more about Christopher "Kit" Carson click here.

Taos Blue

There are many wonderful galleries to see when visiting Taos. One of my favorite is Taos Blue. They have a nice collection of local artists.

Theme Day: Details

Theme Day has come again to City Daily Photo and this months theme is "Details." They can be found in everything you see. I was lucky enough to capture the details in this young mans ring and cuff bracelet while he was shopping the Native American vendors near the plaza. That is one thing I do love about Native American jewelry, the details. To see more wonderful photographs from around the globe click here.

People Watching

Not quite, this guy was just standing at the end of the parking lot of La Fonda so that he could get cell signal. Have a great Monday everyone!

Cloud Reflection

With all of the rain that we have had recently there were puddles all over town. If your paying attention there were some nice reflections to be found.

Pallet Planter

Lately it seems like you can find someone on the internet doing something creative with a pallet. I found this one hanging outside of this art gallery.

Walking Through Taos

A few weekends ago I spent the day walking around Taos, one of my favorite weekend get-a-ways. I caught this shot walking just outside of the plaza. This weekend is the High Road Art Studio Tour. The High Road is one of the prettiest routes to Taos. Wishing you all a happy Friday.

Clouds of Art

These clouds were just hovering over the New Mexico Museum of Art.

Circle Shadows

This is a building close to my job. I like the gate and the shadows it created in the entrance.

Old Southwestern Bench

Found in Taos on a recent weekend trip.

Big Storm

We've had quite a bit of rain lately and it seems as we are getting more tonight. The storm warnings started by noon and by evening we were surrounded by clouds that brought wind and lightening. Hopefully it will bring more rain.

Cloud Touching

The other day on my way back to work I caught sight of what appeared to be two clouds tethered to one another. Finally after a few moments I caught sight of the place that left the contrail. I rather like the idea of the two clouds together as one. Happy first day of Fall!

Cactus Flower

One of the things I really like about living in the desert southwest are the blooms that you find on the various cactus in the area.

Wishing it was Friday.

That's the way I felt when I saw the guy in the suit surrounded by all the people dressed casually. Thank goodness that it is Friday today and I hope yours is whatever you want it to be.

Chess on the Plaza

The other day while walking past the plaza I caught these guys taking some time for a game of chess. I would have rather been playing than on my way back to work.

Spanish Reflection

I caught this reflection the window of La Boca. La Boca is a Spanish Tapas restaurant close to my work.

Reflection and Two Boxes

Waiting for the End

This is my last parade shots. I took this at the beginning of the parade. To me this poor horse looked as if he was ready for the end of the parade. I hope your Monday is a happy one.

Highway Shrine

While driving though one of the Northern New Mexico pueblos I stopped to take a photo when I came across this small shrine. I've seen Mary before but I wasn't too sure what the shells were for.

Pre-Parade

I think I enjoyed watching the people walking along the parade route more that the actual parade. These four were adorable, roasted corn and all.

Watching It All Go By

This chubby little guy was all ready for the parade last weekend. He even had his sombrero on to protect him from the bright harsh sun, well part of him. Have a great Friday everyone!

Kingston

Meet Kingston, he is the mascot for the retirement facility of the same name. It was a cute float full of retirees decked out in island outfits.

Fiesta Royalty

From the Fiesta website: "Each spring the Fiesta Council holds a contest in which local men and women compete to secure the popular roles of General Don Diego de Vargas and La Reina de la Fiesta de Santa Fe ™. The prospective contestants are judged on delivering an English and Spanish speech, and are questioned, in both English and Spanish, on their knowledge of historical events surrounding the Fiesta de Santa Fe.

Sparky, a Firefighters Friend

Sparky was one of the highlights of this long long parade.

Getting Ready for the Parade

At the end of the Fiesta weekend there is a parade called the "The Desfile de la Fiesta or the Historical / Hysterical Parade. This is a shot of the beginnings of people lining up for the parade. Frankly I found it quite boring and not sometthing I see myself attending again. I think the politicians and Right to Life groups turned me off.

Family Coat of Arms

Every year for Fiestas you will find the Spanish Family Coat of Arms hanging at the Palace of the Governors. Is my sir name on there? No, but there is a valley near Taos with my last name.

Fiesta Burger Anyone?

This is probably the most colorful food booth on the plaza this weekend. I caught this shot on Thursday as they were setting up all of the booths. If your a foodie there is a wide variety of foods to choose from. What's a Fiesta Burger you may ask? It could be just a burger with Green Chile or it's a Tortilla Burger with Green Chile. While I am not one who consumes red meat I have heard that the Tortilla Burger is something you must try, even once.

The Stage is Set

It's Fiesta weekend here in Santa Fe. There will be food, dancing, music and other festivities all around the plaza. This large stage has been up for a few days now. I hope your weekend is a festive one! Happy Friday!

Just a Couple of Buddies

Some photos just speak for themselves.

Decisions, Decisions

While walking through the plaza I caught sight of this young man right inside the entrance of our local Haagen Daz shop. This one also carries baked goods. Two treats in one shop, what a dream.

Red Geraniums

One of the things that I like about walking by the window at Cafe Pasqual's are their beautiful geraniums. I caught this gentleman noticing them as I was walking back to work the other day.

Sky and Wine

Saturday I spent the day at the New Mexico Wine Festival in Bernalillo near Albuquerque. It was a day full of music,food and good wines from New Mexico. Did I bring some home you may ask. Yes I did! Cheers!

Theme Day: Pink

Theme Day is here and this months theme is Pink. I took this shot during Indian Market while this couple was talking a break from all of the action. At the time I had no clue what our theme was. Talk about luck.

To see the color Pink all over the world click here.

Golden Light

I loved golden light that was shining through this woman's umbrella. We were all watching some music performers at Indian Market.

Native Pride

This is Fabian Fontenelle. He is the great great grandson of famed Chief Big Elk and the husband of musical artist Shelly Morningsong. I caught this as he was posing for photos for a large crowd at the Indian Market. To read more about Mr. Fontenelle click here. Have a great Friday everyone. Looking forward to the three day weekend.

Shawl

This beautiful shawl is the work of TahNibaa Naat'aanii, a Navajo weaver from Shiprock New Mexico. To find out more about the artist and to see a gallery of her work, click here.

Artist of Another Kind

Here was another artist who was also inspired by all the work and performances at Indian Market. She had a beautiful voice and drew quite a crowd.

Inspiration

During Indian Market there were those like me who were inspired to purchase. Then there were others like this young man who were inspired to create.

Not Only Art

At Indian Market, it's not only about the art and the food you can find Native American music and a whole tent dedicated to books about Native Americans. This guy was making sure people knew where to find them.

Before the Buffalo Dance

This is where I was when I heard the drums of the Buffalo Dancers. This dancer was performing for a crowd while another set of drummers beat their drums. So what did I do, I shot and ran. I think it still came out pretty good.

Telling It Like It Is

These women's blouses were a design by a young Native American artist at this year's Indian Market. They sure did get alot of attention.

Buffalo Dancers

There was quite a bit of entertainment on both days of the Indian Market. I was in the middle of shooting another photo when I heard drums in the distance. I missed the first dance but these kind men were more than happy to pose for the group that had gathered to watch them perform.

Kachinas

These beautiful bronze pieces are the work of Gerry Quotskuyva. Most of the Kachina Dolls at the market were carved from wood. My photo does not do these pieces justice. They should really be seen in person. To see more of his Kachina Dolls click here.

The Art of Brent Learned

This was one of my favorite paintings at Indian Market. I liked it for the use of color which to me helps to convey the excitement of the scene. Mr. Learned is of the Cheyenne/Arapaho tribe.

A Thing Of Beauty

There were many wonderful pieces of jewelry at the Indian Market this year both for sale and on some of the shoppers. This was one that caught my eye because of the color of the Turquoise stones. This is the work of Tonya June Rafael. To see more of her beautiful artwork click here and go to the Galleries page.

Seed Pot

This wonderful piece of artwork was created by Pauline Romero of the Jemez Pueblo.

Here is a quick definition of the Seed Pot: "Traditionally, seed pots were used to store just what their name suggests—seeds. But these containers were different from other Native American Indian pottery wares. Seed pots were designed to protect the seeds for next year’s planting from rodents and insects. A wide-mouthed vessel like a traditional bowl, jar or olla could not keep vermin out. So, seed pots were created with only a tiny hole that would allow one seed to be dropped in at a time. When the time for spring planting came, the seed pots would be smashed so all the seeds collected during the winter months could be used."