While the rest of the country is experiencing Spring in unusual ways--more snowfall in the Northwest, and lack of snow and early summer-like temps in the Northeast--we are having the usual early Spring weather here in southern New Mexico.
The Organ Mountains still have bits of snow on the eastern side.
Fields of poppies are in bloom.
These poppies were blooming at the site of one of last summer's wildfires. You can see the scorched yucca trunks here.
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In this last photo, you can see the beginning of another springtime tradition here: Dust storms. The dust here in the distance is gathering along the floor of the Tularosa Basin. Later that day, back in Las Cruces, we experienced howling winds and "brown-out" conditions all day. As we paced around uneasily inside the house, listening to the shrieking outside and watching as dust made its way inside through every crack and under all the doors, we couldn't help thinking that the
Dust Bowl of the 1930s never really came to an end. And I thought of the long-ago settlers out on the prairie quietly going mad in their earthen dugouts, as the unmerciful dirt-filled wind scoured and tore at everything they had worked so hard to build.
14 comments:
When you grow up with it, it isn't so bad. One of my happiest memories was such a day in fifth grade. It was chilly and the school boiler broke, so school was dismissed for the day. A school friend came home with me and Mother built a fire in the fireplace. She served us grilled cheese sandwiches and cocoa for lunch as we played board games in the firelight (our electricity was off, but we still had the gas cooking stove.) It was cozy inside as the dust blew and the wind howled. Kay hated to go home. As usual, sunset brought a calming of the winds, and to my sorrow, by next morning the boiler was repaired and I was back in school.
It does look warm and beautiful -- well, except for the dust storms! I had quite enough of those growing up in west Texas!! Hope all is going well, Clairz!!
Sylvia
Bill and Clair graciously invited me along on this field trip and the vistas and poppies were breathtaking. Even Petey was impressed. Beautiful photographs. You really caught the mood and colors.
great photos of one of the beautiful parts of New Mexico.
I always think of the dust bowl days when March rolls around and Texas or Arizona blow through. That must have been a very rough time to live through. Sometimes it seems like the wind is the enemy but then we have to remember that everything has a purpose.....even if I don't always get it.
Oma Linda
The poppies looks so pretty. I like how areas get new growth. I can't imagine all that dust. I don't think I'd do too well with it.
No snow today for us but it's cold in the mornings and a bit rainy/sunny in the afternoons.
I do think Spring is sort of here.
Beautiful. I love how the yellow colour is predominant. I'm afraid we're still having coolish weather here and possibly more snowflakes this week. But the sunshine has returned! Yeah!
If you have a moment, stop by and visit my blog
http://snapthatpenny.blogspot.ca/2012/03/i-bid-you-goodnight.html
Cheers.
The landscape looks great but the dust storms would be a real turn off for me.
The poppies are so beautiful, Clair. I hope they help to make up for the sting of dusty winds. Our weather here in the Appalachians is like June rather then March. I know I shouldn't complain, but our grass has grown high, and I do hate the thought of mowing in March. :-(
The poppies are intrepid -- just blooming no matter what. I've been in enough (relatively short-lived) wind/dust storms that my imagination does allow me to think what it must have been like to live during that DustBowl era....those people were so strong to come through it at all (the ones who made it).
Happy Spring, Clair! Thought of you as I drove past Sparky's in Hatch yesterday :)
Yes, those winds... we had up to 55 mph last weekend! But you wouldn't know it today- calm & 70 degrees... it's gotta be the most gorgeous day of the year so far!
Could you imagine traveling via a covered wagon when those winds hit the desert? I always think of that when I drive along I-10 where the signs are posted... luckily haven't hit the dust storms while driving...
Those are beautiful fields of poppies but I wouldn't care for the wind and dust!
that new header photo is ooh la la. Springtime in New Mexico - what a treat. Though I'm not sure what I'd think of the dust storms. I don't like wind, especially when it blows and blows all day long. I stay inside. Your photos are excellent. happy week to you Clairz.
You expressed it well describing the horrid winds. But I don't remember them when I was in highschool or while living in Silver City during the 70's. Seem to have started so bad in late 80's and afterward. I remember stories my grandma told of the dust bowl.
You've had an interesting and uneasy experience. I LOVE the yellow poppies!!
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