Got up at 4:45am to drive to ABQ for my first Balloon Fiesta. It. Was. Awesome. It’s going on all week and I just might head back for more pictures.
As an added bonus, I give you a short YouTube video taken by me:
Category: Events
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Candlelight vigil closes the Fiestas de Santa Fe
The Fiestas de Santa Fe ended on September 12th with a mass of thanksgiving and a candlelight procession through the streets of Santa Fe to the Cross of the Martyrs. There, on a hill overlooking the city, a prayer service was held to close the festivities.
A guitarron player waits patiently for the candlelight vigil to start outside of St. Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe. 
The queen of the Fiestas Santa Fe makes her way to the Cross of the Martyrs. 
Members of the catholic community make their way down Paseo de Peralta during the closing ceremonies of the Fiestas de Santa Fe. 
Members of the catholic community walk up the hill to the Cross of the Martyrs. 
Priests lead the congregation in prayers at the Cross of the Martyr in Santa Fe. 
The congregation listens to a homily. 
A member of the historical society, dressed in Spanish garb, listens to the homily at the Cross of the Martyrs. 
A reveler holds up a candle during prayers at the Cross of the Martyrs. -
The burning of Zozobra 2011
Last Thursday I attended my first burning of Zozobra – Old Man Gloom. The burning of the 50 foot effigy is the opening celebration to the Fiestas de Santa Fe. There there were bands, mariachis, lots of food, fireworks, dance and fire. Lots of fire. Read more about Zozobra here. View more pics here.
Old Man Gloom waiting patiently for the festivities to begin. 
A fire dancer walks among the crowd before the festivities begin. 
Another fire dancer in the crowd. 
The queen of the Fiesta de Santa Fe for 2011. 
A young girl watches as the queen of the Fiesta approaches. 
A smaller version of Old Man Gloom can be seen among the crowd. 
Fireworks illuminate Old Man Gloom just before he bursts into flames. 
Old Man Gloom goes up in flames. -
Fire photos from last week
A large plume seen from Ashley Pond in downtown Los Alamos. 
Qwest workers watching the fire from their rooftop. 
A couple watch the smoke plumes grow while sharing a picnic at Ashley Pond in Los Alamos. 
Fire danger: Extreme. 
Los Alamos, NM. 
Summer in New Mexico. 
Smoke can still be seen over the hills at sunset. 
The most visible portion of the fire was from Barranca Mesa. 
Fire rages north of Barranca Mesa. -
Joining the ranks of Neil Armstrong, Lewis and Clark, and Hillary and Norgay
I went to my first bridal shower. As an invited guest. Also as a photographer. My best friend Wendy had her bridal shower this past weekend and I had the pleasure of being the only man (aside from the waiters) to be there for the entire time. I know there may have been other men before me that have had the privilege to witness the unique rituals of a bridal shower. But I got pics.
