I may have mentioned once or twice before that I’m not exactly a fan of winter. Brown and other drab colors predominate in central New Mexico and I personally prefer bright colors. Not to mention flowers and butterflies, neither of which are present in winter.
Nonetheless, I found myself marveling, over and over, at the beauty of the grass this winter. I’m not sure why it seemed so especially beautiful this year … but it did. So I took photos of it, and even a few videos.
Above, a rock formation in El Malpais in front of a very snow-covered Mt. Taylor just a few days ago. And below, grass in the Sandia foothills a couple of weeks ago.
I always love New Mexico’s state grass, blue grama, no matter the season.1 It starts out as a bluish flag sticking straight out to the side of a green stalk in the summer. The flag and stalk begin to dry in the fall, and by late winter, the dried flags turn into perfect little circles.
I was moved most by grass blowing in the wind. One day last month I set my camera on a rock in the Sandia foothills and let it run while the grass swayed with the wind.2
This is an area I walk through several times a week. The very next day, the same scene looked quite different. The rock I’d put my camera on the previous day was covered in snow, so I took the shot from a slightly different perspective.
I spent most of last week in southern Arizona, where there were tons of wildflowers. I took some bird photos too. Coming soon!
Blue grama is one of only a few grasses I can identify.
Yes, this is yet another video with no plot or character development whatsoever, and very little action. It’s quite a bit like watching the grass grow blow.
Grasses were particularly beautiful at Bosque del Apache WLR this winter. I've some great shots of them. Your video is so charming - thanks Lisa!
Thank you for your positivity regarding winter grass. I can appreciate it’s beauty thru your pictures 😊