Pages

Monday, August 18, 2014

Prairie Blossoms & Country Roads







It's been a great year for wildflowers and prarie blossoms. The fields are showing a lovely array. But you may have already noticed an array of a very differnt kind of blossom on the horizon known as the VLA.



No doubt an individual of a very large imagination to match came up with the catchy name. . . . (Insert wry little smile here. . . yuk, yuk.)



These strategically placed satellite dishes are part of an enormous radio telescope aimed at the stars. Just seeing what's out there . . .



And out off of NM Highway 52 we are doing the same. . . . The air and light are telling us that the days are getting shorter and to waste no time.




This field mint grows in the rain fed gullys along country roads. Much taller than when we visited a month ago, and blessing the lonely landscape with its lovely lavender hue.




A local resident wanders over too, calling out in friendly curiosity. Even the long shadows are turning the hills to purple at the end of day.












I was hoping the fields of white prickly poppies would still be here. So thorny that the deer and cattle leave them alone to adorn the hills. (Take it from me. You probably have to be a little prickly to thrive in the desert!  chuckle, chuckle. . . .)











I have no idea of its name, but I call this our version of Queen Anne's Lace or Baby's Breath.




Also found in pale pink. I was so absorbed with the landscape that I didn't even think to bring some home. . . .



Why is it that old post boxes hold so much romance for me?




Especially when there seems to be so much friendly company!









 I would stay and visit, but it's time that I got to wandering on back home. . . .

Hasta la vista. baby!

So nice to have you along for the ride!
 I'll be getting back to visiting with you just as soon as I can make myself get back inside!

Jacqueline



It's also time to join
Come on over!

22 comments:

  1. Love those prickly poppies - I don't think we have those in Colorado (I could be wrong!) Beautiful photos, as always. Sally

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacqueline,
    Happy Monday. Ohhhhh your pictures are so pretty. What gorgeous wild flowers along the way. The cows are too cute. They look like they are seriously posing for you. So sweet. Have a great start to the new week ahead.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jacqueline I really love your wildflowers. And I love NM. I have a dear friend who lives in Santa Fe who I hope to visit and I adore the scenery. Your mosaics of your wildflowers really are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. These photos of the landscape are so different from what we see here but they are very beautiful. I love the white poppies that survive the dry climate and the other pretty flowers....even the cows. :) Beautiful photos Jacqueline!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was going to ask what those things were off in the distance but you answered in your post thanks. I guess the white poppies are prickly so that they can survive being eaten. Of course if it were deer or rabbits they'd eat them without hesitation.
    Summer is winding down isn't it? Telltale signs everywhere.
    Thanks for linking to MM Jacqueline.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous mosaics - love the wildflowers! Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. love the cows wondering what the heck you're doing. really seems like you found a great back road to travel down

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the drive. We didn't make it to New Mexico this year so I really appreciated it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good Heavens!!! Jacqueline, your photos are absolutely gorgeous of all those stunning New Mexico landscapes. Just so so beautiful! Wish I could've been with you on that outing!
    Kay

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so glad you posted the info about the Very Large Array. You are so lucky to live near such a famous landmark. I bet every man, woman and child in your region loves both astronomy and physics. So inspiring. Karl Guthe Jansky was such a great scientist and the world of radio astronomy is incredible. So appropriate that the Very Large Array is named in his honour.

    ReplyDelete
  11. we missed the VLA during our NM visit. I love all the pretty wildflowers, especially the prickly poppies..The cows are cute too! beautiful photos, thanks for sharing your ride! Have a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a lot of beauty at the side of the road! I'd never before heard of a prickly poppy - how strange!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have captured the beauty and the expansiveness of our Southwest so well in this post. Kudos to you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I never hears of prickly poppies. I think I need some so the cows in the pasture won't eat them! Your other photos are really great, too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love seeing your country side and beautiful wildflowers. I have never seen some of them until in your photos. How I would love to travel one day through the southwest and savor a beauty I haven't seen before.

    ReplyDelete
  16. love your wonderful version of Queen Anne's Lace, and ohhhhh, those adorable black and white cow faces. too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi J,
    What a fun drive!! Those skies are amazing, so much drama! I love seeing new to me wildflowers and Wowy on white Poppies growing wild, how stunning!!! When you make mosaics it always makes me what to try my hand at them again too, you do a lovely job!! Enjoy the fleeting summer!
    Hugs,
    B

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi....like your Blog....you have nice Pictures....
    Lovley Greets ...Erwin (Germany)

    ReplyDelete
  19. oh, the cows are precious! thanks for taking us along for the ride!

    ReplyDelete
  20. une campagne très fleurie
    tout est tellement différent
    de la France
    on a à peu prés les mêmes
    fleurs sans qu'elles soient
    identiques
    c'est magique
    de se transporter comme ça
    grace aux blogs
    on va de découvertes en découvertes
    tendresse
    edith (iris) France

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful wildflowers! I LOVE the Prickly Poppies. I have never seen anything like them. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful photos with us!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! You may also comment at jqbaros@gmail.com. Thank you!