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:
The Latest
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Life finds a way
After what we’ve been told has been a really dry season, there was some rain a few weeks ago. Here is a sampling of the the wildlife growing in our yard since the rains.
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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. -
Trees and wildflowers
Showy Daisies in the Valles Caldera. 
Globe Mallows near the Jemez River. 
Oak tree near Battleship Rock. 
Birch, maybe? 
A caterpillar at home on an oak branch. 
Moth blending in to ponderosa pine. 
More oak. 
Trees damaged by the wildfires near Las Conchas. 
Firs in the Caldera. -
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.