Cloud Watching

Posted on February 13, 2012 by theblondecoyote

Crossing Cloud & Shadow

Yesterday was one of those rare grey days in New Mexico, when the sky is flat and the landscape is dull brown. Without sunshine, everything out there looks dusty and dead.

The great thing about grey days is when the wind picks up and the cloud cover finally breaks, we get these epic blue sky days with great big bright white puffy clouds. The clouds are so big that sometimes they settle in the mountains and make them look like hills. Days like these are a photographer’s dream. When the sky is filled with clouds like these,  it’s almost possible to capture the size of these views through a lens.

I spent the morning editing stories for EARTH, setting up interviews, learning about the Little Ice Age, submitting invoices and writing, writing, writing. Lots to do before I leave for the Grand Canyon! But the clouds were beckoning outside my window, blowing west to east across the valley. At lunch, I went outside, hiked a mile across my big backyard, climbed straight up the side of Mesa Viento and ate my sandwich, watching the clouds.

The Blonde Coyote & our Big Backyard

Mesa Viento means Windy Mesa and this place earns its name. I'm sitting on the leeward side of this Apache Plume.

Mesa Edge Juniper & the Cerrillos Hills

Dogs descending the horse trail down Mesa Viento

Now back to work!

About theblondecoyote

Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance science and travel writer with degrees in biology and geology and a master’s in science writing. A regular contributor to EARTH magazine, where her favorite beat is the Travels in Geology column, she has also written for the anthologies Best Women's Travel Writing 2010 and Best Travel Writing 2011. Mary is currently based in western Colorado. When she’s not at the computer she can usually be found outside -- hiking, skiing, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Visit her website at www.marycapertonmorton.com.
This entry was posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography, Sustainable Living, Vagabonding 101. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to Cloud Watching

  1. mjspringett says:
    February 13, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    When we visited New Mexico, i was amazed at the clouds and blue sky, thanks for the reminder,MJ

  2. theblondecoyote says:
    February 13, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Yeah, I’ve lived in Montana and that Big Sky has nothing on this Big Sky!

  4. shawnandsuzanne says:
    February 14, 2012 at 9:02 am

    Happy Birthday! Go to our blog, we gave you a shout out 🙂

  5. Silver City Linda says:
    February 14, 2012 at 9:35 am

    I am currently doing a 100 Hike challenge – and living in New Mexico, near the Gila Wilderness, makes this a beautiful and enjoyable challenge! I am enjoying your blog and photos because it reminds me of me and my dogs out there hiking! I sure wish I could take the photos that you can! They’re amazing!

    • theblondecoyote says:
      February 14, 2012 at 9:37 am

      Hey Linda! I’ve done a little hiking down in the Gila, but I’d love to do more! I’m scheming a backpacking trip there later this spring. What’s the 100 Hike Challenge? 100 hikes in a year I’m guessing? Sounds like a great way to get out more! Keep shooting! The more pictures you take the better you’ll get! Thanks for reading! M

      • Silver City Linda says:
        February 14, 2012 at 12:57 pm

        I am attempting to do 100 different hikes in a 12 month period. I have seen some beautiful, remote spots that I never knew were here, right in my backyard! I enjoy your photos of NM – you capture its essence beautifully!

  6. jesusknowsmyname says:
    February 14, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I love that top photo. the sky is fantastic.

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