Thursday, September 2, 2010

A Lincoln County Sunset for Skywatch

Lincoln County, New Mexico, is a romantic place--that's the best way I can describe it. It's where we find the Hondo Valley, which calls to my heart in a peculiar way that I can't explain. It is also the site of the Lincoln County War, a true-life saga that starred such legendary figures as Billy the Kid, cattle rancher John Chisum, and Sheriffs William Brady and Pat Garrett. When we travel in this area I find myself picturing them all, riding their horses over the hills and through the valleys.

As we rode toward the Hondo Valley a couple of weeks ago, it was the sky that was the site of all the mystery and excitement. The sunset that evening burst forth with fire, explosion, and color. We had a long journey through the night to get home; so I hung out the car window with my little camera held high and snapped away and hoped for the best. (Click on the photos to enlarge them).

Prologue

Sundown; and the fiery colors begin to spread







For sky photos of every color, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.

Coming tomorrow (because Auntie Bucksnort wanted to know): The Pintada Kid on the Case: Part 3, The Kid Talks Snakes

21 comments:

becky said...

The skies in New Mexico truly are enchanting. Nice pics, Clair!

Jean (aka Auntie Bucksnort) said...

Amazing photos. And most definitely enchanting, especially in person from my sister's patio with a glass of wine in hand and good conversation all around.

Jean (aka Auntie Bucksnort) said...

p.s. Taking nothing away from your beautiful photos, but when's the next mystery installment??!!! We readers need to exhale!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Did ya'll get a chance to do the tour of the town of Lincoln? I love the general store there. It looks just like the store out at my families ranch a little further north in Maes, New Mexico. Everytime we are in Lincoln we stop just cuz of the ambiant feeling of the Old West. The Olde Bagg

Sylvia K said...

What a gorgeous, breathtaking way to end the day, Clairz, and your photos are superb! Such dramatic colors! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Sylvia

clairz said...

Becky and Buck, thank you. And, Buck, the Pintada Kid will be back tomorrow with his tales of murder, skeletons, caves, and snakes. Lots and lots of snakes, guaranteed.

Linda, we have spent some time in Lincoln on other trips. There are photos elsewhere on this blog which you will probably find by searching for Lincoln in the Blogger search box at the top of the blog. I love that place--Beez really wanted to move there, but I'm still glad we ended up in LC.

JC said...

Wow !!!

Can I be your cousin and visit ...

I'll just sit in the back of your car and be quiet while I take it all in ...

Regina said...

Wow such beautiful skies! Love these. Awesome captures Clairz.
Have a lovely weekend.
Happy sky-watching..
“ ♥ Regina "

Rajesh said...

Stunning views of the sunset. The color variations are lovely.

Sandy ~~~ said...

Gorgeous...just like a forest fire was hiding over the ridge (but glad it wasn't!).

EG CameraGirl said...

Very pretty but it looks very warm there!

Anonymous said...

looks like you have big sky in nm as well.

lovely captures.

eden said...

Fantastic series of sky photos. Beautifully captured.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Simply spectacular. I love the glorious colors.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Just the best sunset photos I've ever seen. You'll need to move on to cactus or rocks or something, becuause I don't think you can top these for sunsets!

Unknown said...

spectacular sunset! i scrolled down in slow motion just to savor each photo.

Jim said...

Superb shots.

Linda said...

Gorgeous. Glad you kept hanging out of the car windows. And was it warm? I'm living vicariously here, longing for warmth!

Light and Voices said...

Clap. Clapping. Still clapping. What a site!
Joyce M

Gemma Wiseman said...

Such a pretty play of light in all these photos! Wonderful sky magic!

Kathy in KY said...

Hi clairz - thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I worked for the Federal Gov't for a while, and also for the state of KY at a University and other state gov't agencies, and have retirement to live on. Also Bobbett and I will be taking produce to the farmers markets in nearby towns to sell during the growing seasons, and will live off of those profits. And at other times Bobbett with "pay me off" with food from the gardens. I'll just pay rent at the cabin, no utility bills, so I don't have a lot of expenses. And Bobbett is a great budgeter - so she is going to set me up on a tight one after I record my spending for the next 6 months - she is a definite fru-gal. Thanks again for stopping by and saying Hey from NM. Take care from KY.