Looking West at Sunset, September 4, 2009

You have seen the rainbow in the purple-pink sky from September 4. That was looking east, toward the Sandia Mountains.
There was an equally spectacular view looking to the west.

You have seen the rainbow in the purple-pink sky from September 4. That was looking east, toward the Sandia Mountains.
There was an equally spectacular view looking to the west.

In Albuquerque, rainbows frequently occur in pairs. Tonight, however, we got a single rainbow. It was gorgeous, though.
This photograph is the first in a new series of skyscapes.
Photographs in the Sky Light I series were “grounded” – although mostly sky, something in the photograph tied the viewer to the earth.
In the Sky Light II series, the viewer is allowed – indeed, encouraged – to let thoughts to soar beyond the grounded earth. I hope you enjoy the skyscapes to come in this new series.
Susan Brandt Graham
Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Corrales Historical Society and Visual Arts Council hosts each year during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a Fine Arts Show, with proceeds going toward maintenance of the Old San Ysidro Church, in which the show is held.
In 2009, the Opening Reception will be held on Friday, October 2, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The show will be open Saturday, October 3 through Saturday, October 10 from 11 am to 5 pm. On Sunday, October 11, the show will be open from 11 am to 4 pm.
This is a juried fine arts show.
I am happy to announce that one of my photographs, “Sky Light – Turmoil” – was selected to be in this year’s show.
– Susan Brandt Graham
Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you are in Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta, plan to visit the Corrales Fine Arts Show at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales.

The Corrales Historical Society and Visual Arts Council hosts each year during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a Fine Arts Show, with proceeds going toward maintenance of the Old San Ysidro Church, in which the show is held.
In 2009, the Opening Reception will be held on Friday, October 2, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The show will be open Saturday, October 3 through Saturday, October 10 from 11 am to 5 pm. On Sunday, October 11, the show will be open from 11 am to 4 pm.
This is a juried fine arts show.
I am happy to announce that one of my sky photographs, “Sky Light – Turmoil” – was selected to be in this year’s show.
– Susan Brandt Graham
Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you are in Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta, plan to visit the Corrales Fine Arts Show at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales.

I have posted previously about Sacred Datura (“Jimson Weed,” “Georgia O’Keefe’s Flower”). Over the last day I had the opportunity to photograph a bud just as it was barely opening at 4:23 pm yesterday (yes, that dirty yellow-green color is typical at that stage, believe it or not!), as it was beginning to unfurl at 7:28 pm last evening (already white by then), and in its full glory at 7:57 am today. It is already wilting. A short, interesting, and spectacular life.




Have I mentioned how much I love the skies here?

Sunsets here are so spectacular, that sometimes I forget to mention how beautiful our skies are most of the time most days. This was yesterday afternoon, just an ordinary day in the Desert Southwest.

Isn’t this a gorgeous spray of roses? This is ‘Gemini,’ a hybrid tea by Keith Zary of Jackson and Perkins.
This photo was taken this afternoon. This week has been both hot and windy, and yet the bush is covered with single blooms and with sprays.