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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Paradise Lost, for Skywatch

Desert Bird of Paradise


I find our desert bird of paradise to be very decorative, even when the flowers are about to lose their petals. I especially like the flowers with the skies of the Mesilla Valley in the background. 


When I looked around for some nice quotes about paradise, or paradise lost, I found this one by Doug Larson:  Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none...


... but my chickens liked this one better: If one cannot catch the bird of paradise, better take a wet hen.  (Nikita Khrushchev).

For skies from everywhere, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday.
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29 comments:

  1. Jean (aka Auntie Bucksnort)August 25, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    What a beautiful composition. Thank you!

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  2. Sylvia KAugust 25, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Oh, superb composition indeed, Clariz! What gorgeous skies for the day! Thanks for sharing the beauty! Hope your week is going well! Happy SWF!

    Sylvia

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  3. AnonymousAugust 25, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    so beautifully composed. never seen nor knew that there is a desert bird of paradise, i know only of the tropical variety.

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  4. Ms. BeckyAugust 25, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    oh those are splendid quotes. and the photo - so so dramatic and beautiful. that turquoise of a N.M. sky is unequaled. truly paradise. happy SWF to you Clairz.

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  5. nonizamboniAugust 25, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Leave it to you to give us a beautiful photo and something fun to think about. Now I'm remembering having to read Paradise Lost at the same time I'm seeing Kruschev pounding his shoe at the U.N.
    p.s. I posted Atticus Finch this week and noticed Mockingbird is one of your favorites, mine too.

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  6. charlotte gAugust 25, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    For the east coast, that's going to be some sky-watchin'.

    The photo is lovely. And one thing you get in spades is ever changing and beautiful skies. I had kind of forgotten that till I started seeing your photos.

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  7. JoyfulAugust 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Lovely Clair. I like how the plant is silhouetted again the sky.

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  8. Deb from WhatsInMyAtticAugust 25, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Wonderful shot AND quotes.

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  9. ValAugust 25, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Amazing image!!! LOVE IT!

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  10. Kathie BrownAugust 25, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    As a former resident of Tucson, I know what this flower is. Love the title of your blog. I grew up in New Englad and have bounced back and forth across the United states for several years always seeming to come home to roost here. I am currently living in Massachusetts, I state I vowed I would never live in! I hope you are enjoying NM. Though I have lived in several western states, that is not one of them!

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  11. Magical Mystical TeacherAugust 25, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Even dying things seem to take on new life when colored by a stunning New Mexico sunset!
    A MAN WHO LOOKED UP AT THE SKY

    A man who looked up at the sky
    Saw ravens and clouds flying by.
    He had to look up,
    The sky filled his cup—
    He’s my kind of sky-watching guy!

    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Pearl Harbor sky

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  12. Morning Bray FarmAugust 25, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    How beautiful, Clairz.

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  13. LauraAugust 25, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    awesome photo!

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  14. Smalltown RNAugust 25, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    I enjoyed you telling us about the flower and the backdrop for it is spectacular...wonderful photo indeed!

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  15. RajeshAugust 25, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Fantastic view of the sky through the plants.

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  16. Yogi♪♪♪August 26, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    That's beautiful how you composed the photograph!

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  17. beckyAugust 26, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Clair, I love this shot- it deserves to be matted & framed! There is a song by Don Henley- look up the lyrics online for "the last resort." You probably know it, but the lyrics are quite profound.

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  18. clairzAugust 26, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    I certainly remember that Eagles album (Hotel California), Becky, but never paid attention to the words to The Last Resort. For those who are interested, the lyrics are here and a discussion of the meaning here.

    I always feel a little guilty about making the desert my home, because such a wonderful place has very finite resources.

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  19. Kim, USAAugust 26, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    I think I believe paradise to have none. I do not like to see people driving busy talking with their cellphone, multi-tasking? I don't know it is just scary. Love your photo and love your quote. Happy weekend!
    SWF

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  20. Ms. BeckyAugust 26, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    hey again,
    i just wanted to say thanks for the William Carlos Williams poem. i think i read it years ago, and was impressed, probably tucking it away someplace for safe keeping. and now it found me again thanks to you. I'm putting it in my journal this time - i'll know where it is when i want it. happy day to you Clairz.

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  21. PegAugust 26, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    I don't know how you do it, but this pic is absolutely fabulous!

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  22. beckyAugust 26, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Hi again Clair,
    Thanks for the link on the discussion... interesting to read peoples thoughts. The song & the lyrics are really rather sad aren't they? Often I feel paradise is lost in our modern society... I think that is why I am drawn to nature & wilderness areas, though even those are prone to overcrowding. Sometimes I feel a bit badly about the resources I use even though I hope I use a little less than the "average american." I believe all our resources are finite, they're just a bit more in the forefront of our minds in a desert community.

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  23. Sallie (FullTime-Life)August 27, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Absolutely incredible Clair. Granted you have the most beautiful skies to work with of anywhere, but what you do with them is fabulous.

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  24. Tatjana ParkachevaAugust 28, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Beautiful composition in your photo and beautiful quotes, too.

    Regards!

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  25. BirdmanAugust 28, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    I'll call it: Paradise Found!

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  26. EG CameraGirlAugust 28, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    The Desert Bird of Paradise makes a beautiful silhouette.

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  27. Quiet PathsAugust 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Omg this is gorgeous. I've never seen one of these close up. Now, I feel like I have. Wonderful photo. Love the hen quote too.

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  28. Laughing Orca RanchAugust 29, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Stunning photo! And I like the quotes, too.

    ~Lisa

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  29. GeorgiaAugust 29, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    what a nice photo!! btw i would love to go into the woods of new hampshire and eat pancakes. that sounds AMAZING :0)

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