The Duke of New Mexico

Balloon Fiesta 2009

Wow, it's been a freakin' year since I've posted anything. That's why I figured it was time to post some photos. I went to the International Balloon Fiesta this year... so I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to post some photo "highlights" I took at this yearly festival. It's been called "The most photographed event in the world"... so naturally I took along my trusty Canon SD1000 Elph. Hope you enjoy these...

I also took some very good footage of Creamland Dairy's "Airabelle" Cow Balloon taking off. Check it out on youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4gwZG7jThQ

Spiderman Spiderman....

It was around sunset when I was watering my garden the other day when I spotted this beautiful (yes, I think it's beautiful) big spider that had spun a large web across some wildflowers and a small tree. The web was about 2 feet across and the spider was about the size of a quarter. I grabbed my camera from the house and watched it as it finished its amazing web. I was surprised how quick and precise it's movements were. I'm glad I'm not afraid of spiders because I had to put my camera right up close to get these macro shots. I think I almost touched it with the lens a couple of times... but the spider seemed not to notice I was there. It was too busy spinning it's grand masterpiece. I think this is some sort of Orb Weaver Spider... but I'm not sure. Anyways, I hope you enjoy these photos that are just in time for Halloween.

It's a bird, it's a plane.... it's Spiderman? :)

Here are some close-up photos of the wildflowers that
the web was attached to.

Strange and beautiful blue bug

Early this morning I was watering my garden when I spotted this amazingly strange and beautiful blue bug sitting on a leaf on one of my rose bushes. I've never seen a creature like this before, so I ran inside my house and grabbed my trusty Canon S2 camera. If I had to take a guess... I'd say it was some sort of moth species. I was really happy to have caught it on camera before it flew away. I'll have to do some research and see what it is later.

An hour at the Zoo

Last week was sort of the week from hell... I had to work 8 straight days of 12hr graveyard shifts. Half the days were for my regular job and half was done working on a Sci Fi movie shoot called "Project Angel". Anyways, after those 8 crazy days... I had a one day weekend. So for my one day off (Tuesday), I decided to go to the Zoo with my friend, Molly. I hadn't gone to the Rio Grande Zoo for years. The thing was... I was so tired from working my "hell week" and the night before, that I woke up really late! So by the time I got to the Zoo... it was already 4pm. Now, I thought the Zoo was going to be open later than 5pm, but I was wrong. So here is what we saw from our 1 hour run through the Zoo :)

As always, click on the photos for a larger view.

Baby Giraffe... he's only 12 feet instead of like, 20 feet tall

Not so Baby Giraffe. Is it me, or does he look a little...
I dunno... "stoned"?

The "Zebra Parking Lot"... this is where I parked mine
before embarking on our adventures :)
I guess that concrete is part of the natural habitat
for Zebras in Africa... who knew?

Close up of baby Zebra... Awww how cute!

Rare white Rhino... I think this one is the very last one
in existence, so uh... enjoy

"Daniel-san... come, I will teach you the secrets of the
crane style"

"Mister Miyagi... how long do we have to do this for?"

"Daniel-san, ignore Bob the Buzzard... he has a hangover"

"Hey Sam, I think I slept wrong today... my neck hurts"

"Sam! Are you even listening??? Oh God, whats wrong with your knees?
They bend backwards???... Cool!

"munch.. Munch.. munch...."

"chew... chew... Chew..."

"Man! Those are some Hungry, Hungry Hippos !!!" ;)
(sorry folks, I know it's cheesy... but I had to)

I've heard of the term "beaten with an Ugly stick"...
but thought it was a myth, until now. Damn, he ugly!
"Dude, you have something on your face... oh wait, That IS
your face... so sorry!" :)

This little guy was only like a foot tall!
I wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home...
but then I thought "No, I don't want him to
crap in my pockets!... even if the crap was itty bitty"
If there is one thing I've learned in life, it's
that crap in the pockets... Not Fun!!!"

Here is a close-up... but this is pretty much how
big he is in real life. I love his little one inch horns, ha ha!
They're like little toothpicks.... of death! :)

This guy was following us around all day... (I mean for an hour) so I decided
to snap a quick photo... they run free on the grounds.
I wanted to take him home too, but wasn't sure
if peacocks tasted any good... just kidding!