New Moon
New Moon from Tybee beach on April 29, 2018. Known as the Pink Moon. Not so pink but it was a very clear night. I'm not sure the moon is ever actually pink. Derives this name as well as other names from the Native American tribes based on local events. The little pink flowers called the Wild Ground Phlox that appear in the meadows at this time of year. It is also referred to by other names paying homage to the changing of the season like Spouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and Fish Moon. The Farmer’s Almanac suggest that the time after the full “Pink Moon” and the last quarter of the moon is the best time to kill weeds, trim and prune bushes and plants, mow your lawn, chop timber, and start planting your garden. Enjoy.
Islands Expressway Bridge
New fixed-span twin bridges will soon replace the aging twin bascule bridges that currently cross the Wilmington River at Causton Bluff to Oatland Island. The Islands Expressway Bridge has carried traffic to and from Tybee, Wilmington, and Oatland Islands for well over fifty years. The first of the two drawbridge was built in 1963, although there is some controversy as to when the second bridge was actually completed. Until 1980 the Islands Expressway was a toll road with the toll booth at the east side of the Wilmington River. The bridge was often a nuisance when in a hurry to get across it and there was river traffic that needed to pass, but if you had the time to really observe the bridge operation it was quite spectacular to watch as the twin bridges were raised and the river craft passed through.
Eagle Nest Lake, NM
Late one afternoon in November 2014 I was driving back to Taos New Mexico from Philmont Scout Ranch on US Hwy 64 that followed the Cimarrron Rivers deep tree lined mountain gorge. Continuously dodging the patches of ice and snow that were becoming more of a hazard because the sun had vacated the bottom of the gorge some hours ago and the 16 degree night temperatures were slowly returning. I came across this welcome sight of Eagle Nest Lake at the north end of Moreno Valley nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The villages of Eagle Nest and Angel Fire occupy the Moreno Valley along with The Eagle Nest Lake and reservoir, all three are popular resort destination for tourist year round. Driving was much more enjoyable, the sun was warming the roads there was no snow or ice and things were good. Then US 64 turned west and started the climb over Polo Flechado Pass for another exciting 21 miles to Taos. That is another story.
The ice sheet is slightly visible across the far end of the lake as the sun drops over the southernmost mountain range. Please enjoy this digital artistic rendering of the image.Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus
Statue of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus as seen in the early morning light of sun rise on the grounds of San Francisco De Assis Church that stands in the unincorporated area of Ranchos De Taos just outside of Taos, New Mexico. The mission church was established early in the 18th century.
The adobe structure is typical of Spanish colonial architecture and is touted by the local chamber of commerce as one of the most photographed and painted churches in the world.This image is from my trip January of this year to Daufuskie Island, located between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. It is the southernmost inhabited sea island in South Carolina and is accessible only by ferry or barge. With a population of just over 400, Daufuskie Island encompasses a rich cultural experience. The island's historic district has remained untouched to preserve the Gullah culture, and today the entire island is on the National Register of Historic Places. As the story goes, in times past this once proud home was full of life, love, and fun times according to one of the islands lifelong residents. Now it is all it can do to fight off the ravages of time and the elements. Many of the historic buildings on the island have been restored as resources are available, but for some help may not arrive in time.
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Early Morning House Keeping.
I was out early one morning on Tybee Island North Beach making pictures of the sun rise when I came across this wonderful creature busily removing shell fragments from is burrow. It would quickly scurry down the hole and then reappear with one claw load of shell fragments and scatter them then do it again. I watched this for some time until I decided to move on to some of the birds that had gathered on the beach.
Angel Fire
The village of Angel Fire NM. and Colfax County Airport nestled in the valley of Cieneguilla Creek and home of Angel Fire Ski Resort. The Angel Fire Ski and Golf Resort is known for its year round activities from skiing to mountain biking on and around Agua Fria Peak and surrounding elevations. The village of Angel Fire resides at an elevation of 8,382 feet while the Agua Fria Peak summit is 11,078 feet.
As you can see in the image Agua Fria creates its own weather as it is totally obscured from view by thick clouds the day I drove by.
Spectacular sunrise and sunset colors gave Angel Fire its name.
Angel Fire – got its name from the Moache Utes. Seeing mysterious tongues of red and orange licking the morning sky, one of the elders claimed it was the "fire of the gods". Later Franciscan Friars interpreted "fire of the gods" as "the place of the fire of the angel".
Source http://www.angelfirechamber.org/facts-and-tidbits.htm