My time in New Mexico is coming to a close. The truck is loaded back up with bikes, and camping supplies and we are headed back to Texas. It has been a good summer.
Bluff Springs
Bluff Springs is an easy day hike along abandoned grades of the historic Cloudcroft logging railroad. The abandoned grades make excellent trails for both hiking in summer and snowshoeing in winter (wishful thinking on my part!). Special attractions: Waterfall; historic railroad grade; lush forest. Climbing up to this bluff is like landing in an alpine meadow. Beautiful light surrounded by old growth firs. I have the painting supplies, who wants to pack the picnic?
7:46 PM Sunset – Alamogordo, NM
after sunset
desert predators prowl
pray prey
-Bridget Magee
Bonito Canyon
We waited on pins and needles last summer as the White Mountain Wilderness burned. We learned this summer that the fires that passed through were not too hot to ruin the forest, our beloved Argentina, and Bonito canyons were saved! Today I hiked hiked Bonito canyon with my kids. Another year of maturity liberated me from having to pack in a child on my back. The girls were in bipedal delight, and the boys were packed down with lunch and water bottles on their backs, which left me free to carry plein air painting supplies! The boys headed up into the canyon with slingshots and pockets heavy with rocks, and the girls waded and splashed at my feet in a lovely stream all day. I hiked with my family, painted by a babbling stream, and had my favorite hiking lunch: triscuits, hard salami, pink lady apples and good cheese.
I am grateful for a perfect day.
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Late Evening Rain
The monsoons have been abundant, the showers frequent and beautiful. With the rain, I have enjoyed watching the landscape turn green, the contrast between all the red and orange rocks has been striking. The rain has brought with it: cool weather, bull frog tadpoles, and mosquitos and biting flies.
Cottonwoods
Limited palette, quick study, historic landscape…it was a lovely morning.
Sunset 8:06
Ghost House – Limited Pallette
Quick study in my sunset colors, I love working with a limited palette. Limitations encourage creativity and a painting based on values instead of color.
Last Light Chimney Rock
I love when my days are bracketed with the sun rise and set.
Virga Roja
In meteorology, virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates or sublimes before reaching the ground. If you are lucky this happens at sunset and the setting sun reflects off the virga making red rain. Truly, I think I may be in the most beautiful place in the world.
paintandsimple 