Franklin Mountains poppies

Franklin mt poppy bloom

Snows: Cotton candy sunset

Snows: Thursday morning and afternoon
Originally uploaded by chacal la chaise.

One of the things I love (and have to be ready for) is sundown after snowfall. From my home, the mountains face southwest and usually after it has snowed, the following evenings sundown will be as pink and rose colored as could ever be imagined. It is as if a carnival came to town and wrapped the mountains in a pink soft blanket confection. It does not look real. But you must be ready to grab your camera and run to the closest available vantage point. I was slow this time, but did capture a few shots from my backyard.

Snow day

Snow day
Originally uploaded by chacal la chaise.

Snow came and claimed its spot on the radar of all in town and beyond. The schools had to give it its due, even if this is the last week of regular classes. Schools, including UTEP, opened at 10:00 AM. At 10, the mountains were completely shrouded in a misty fog and rain mixed with snow continued until 1:00 or so.

Taking a break around 3:00, I drove up to the foothills to snag a few shots before running back home to work on a paper due tomorrow. (Like I should be writing this now, right?) No matter, I love the mountains and the time away from the screen was good for the soul and eyes.

El Paso: Crazy Cat

El Paso: Crazy Cat
Originally uploaded by chacal la chaise.

A likely place where cougars might go to commit suicide by cop.

In other news, I just received this from Charlie Wakeem of the Frontera Land Alliance:

"...Frontera Land Alliance successfully won Common Open Space valuation for Resler Canyon from the Appraisal Review Board after battling the Central Appraisal District for the past year and four months. The valuation was originally appraised at over $900,000.00 by the CAD last year. Resler Canyon valuation is now on the tax rolls at $200.00 as Common Open Space. The new valuation will not be official until the CAD puts it in writing an mails it to Frontera, which takes a month or two."

While I don't have a photo of Resler Canyon, I do have this picture taken this afternoon. It is of Crazy Cat, home of terriblly-ugly late 20th century "I have more money than sense" houses.

Cheers to Resler Canyon, Charlie Wakeem, et al., for making the CAD understand what "open space" means.