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Ancient Alto

david — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:56:35 +0000

They’re gone. The Ancient Ones have been gone for more than 1,000 years. But the spirit and the essence of them remain, and one is reminded of that in so many ways.

This is approaching New Alto Pueblo in Chaco Canyon National Historic Park, New Mexico; it stands there, its ancient walls still struggling against time, and still, all in all, holding up quite well. All that remains above ground is the upper reaches of the second story of this structure; the rest buried, its secrets still intact.

This day a west wind was blowing, bringing in clouds with it. High above the plains the clouds moved, but one cloud took a slight detour in its journey to reach down toward New Alto. Perhaps it was saying hello to an old friend; perhaps it was merely curious as to how the ancient pueblo was doing.

In any event it quickly rejoined the rest and continued toward the east. New Alto was alone again. The walls remain braced for another 1,000, or more, years, until the Ancient Ones come again, visited only by the occasional visitor, and of course, the wind and clouds.

Frío Bonito

david — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:15:26 +0000

Frío Bonito

The fresh snow accentuates the sheer coldness and isolation of the long abandoned Pueblo, and the canyon is empty as far as the eye can see. The silence is absolute, save for the rustle of the wind and the howl of a single lone coyote off in the distance. Yet, despite the coldness and the emptiness, despite the ravages of time, and despite being in solitude for 1,000 years, Pueblo Bonito is still alive. Very much so.

One can hear the ancient echos amongst its walls and rooms. One can hear the excited voices as old friends are reunited and share a tale. One can hear the laughter of the children as they run, as children always do. One can feel the warmth of the fires, offering heat and companionship. One can hear the ceremony just beginning there in the kiva. You can feel deep, deep inside your soul the power and the energy of this Great House. For despite it being left empty, it really isn’t and it never will be.

Its walls may not all be standing. Not every block is in place. The once immaculate veneer has long been gone and the inner masonry laid bare to time. But Pueblo Bonito, a Great House in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, still commands the valley in which it sits. It is still the center of the Chacoan World and it is still a magnificent place.

Its people may have long left, but it is far from forgotten. And it remains alive. Very much so.

House Finch on a Snowy Branch

david — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:35:15 +0000

House Finch on a Snowy Branch, originally uploaded by ifringe.

Yes, I know that yesterday I posted a beautiful summer picture, but I confess that I had peeked at the forecast before I did. And today… it snowed, right as expected. Throughout the day it snowed harder then softer, softer then harder, but it never really quite stopped making for an all in all gorgeous day.

The birds didn’t stop eating, either. In fact, they went through somewhere just around 100,000 pounds of bird food (well, it certainly seems that way. I know, I exegete. It is closer to 2,000,000 pounds), but that’s OK because it was so amazing to see all the birds hovering around the feeder.

Which brings us to this particular photo. This House Finch was captured on a branch just after it visited the feeder; it was probably deciding if it should go back for seconds, or thirds, or maybe 100ths. In any case, though, it sat on the branch long enough for me to grab a camera, focus it, and get this picture. In perfect timing the finch took off just after I pressed the shutter, but leaving just after is way better than leaving just before.

It snowed today. The birds were out, and it was a lovely day for pictures.