May in Corrales is one of those times in the yearly cycle as significant to me as the smell of green chile roasting in early autumn and Balloon Fiesta in October. Corrales is enjoyable all year around, but May in Corrales as the Dr. Huey roses are in bloom has become a ritual. I posted one set of images a couple of weeks ago. These are more images from the Price home on May 18, 2019.
First, Special Cats
Spunk doesn’t mind being photographed – if the mood strikes him. Therefore, I have more photos of him than the other Price kitties. On this day one of the black cats let me take a photograph too.
Spunk, The Professional Model CatSpunk: Playing or Modeling?One of the Black Cats, Najar, Observing the Goings-On on the Deck
Second, Interesting Plants
Although in May in Corrales the emphasis is on roses, the Price Garden has many other plants. These are a few that attracted my attention.
AlliumHoneysuckle
Iris
Iris
Third, Roses
Bud of the Rose, ‘Rio Samba’Climbing Rose ‘America,’ Cascading Over the DeckGorgeous Roses! ‘Cherry Parfait’ This rose in full bloom greeted me when I got to the end of Price Lane and Tim and Laurie’s beautiful gardens.
Regular readers here know how much I enjoy not only Corrales, but also so many things New Mexico has to offer. I hope you are enjoying them, too.
The first rose in my yard in 2019 is the miniature rose ‘Child’s Play.’ This rose often has perfect form and overall general health. Other roses are about to bloom, but this one made it first.
Miniature Rose ‘Child’s Play’
Pets
These images are from last year. I never got them posted. This seemed like as good a time as any… All the pets belong to the Prices. Many of you will recognize Spunk. But first is a parrot, who can come out with some pretty funny things when he is listening to people in another room. He is rather shy in person, but one day let me make a few images. He is quite handsome.
Spunk, the perfect photographer’s model: handsome, loves to pose when he is in the mood.
Here, Spunk the model:
Spunk
“OK, that’s enough. I’m bored now…”
Spunk
Spring seems to have really arrived, and everything seems about to bloom. Enjoy what promises to be a beautiful weekend.
Lady Banks, Laurie, and critters: what more could a day in May need to be perfect? This old species rose was breathtakingly beautiful in the late afternoon light. Many different roses are doing well this year. But this one was spectacular!
Soft yellow beauty!This rose grows to be quite large!
Laurie adding to the spirit of the day:
Laurie with Lady Banks Rose
In addition, this little damsel fly seemed to want to be photographed:
Damsel Fly Too Beautiful Not to Try to Photograph
Finally, would a visit to Corrales be complete without The Man, Spunk?
“You know it’s time-and-a-half on weekends, or I’m just going to lie here and study you.” Spunk is always adorable!
The photographer’s model cat, Spunk, is always good for a smile. I needed a smile today, and I thought you might, too. Going back through photos from last year, I came across this image of Spunk. Many of you who read here know that Spunk is one of Tim and Laurie Price’s cats, with a personality that goes with his name. Periodically he has to work to pay down his running tab for things he destroys. He is not a mean cat; anything but! However, he sometimes gets carried away with play, which is why he has to work periodically. He has to be the best! Here he is, showing off his style.
Friends and photography are not the first combination that comes to mind for many serious photographers preparing for a day of creating photographs. Photographers like to spend their time looking at things, from all angles, up close, from a distance, etc., often things that many people find less than interesting to begin with. But, if you are really lucky, you might find friends you really enjoy being with for a day of exploring what’s out there in the world to enjoy and to photograph.
Many readers here know Tim and Laurie from their blogs, Photo of the Day, and TandLPhotos. Over the years, what began as an occasional friendship around one hobby interest (roses) became a multidimensional friendship in many aspects of life.
We’ve done a variety of “photo excursions” and “photographic expeditions,” days that start with a general plan and always evolve into just going with the flow, seizing what the day had to offer. Tim and I share the same birthday, and we’ve always tried to plan an outing for the weekend closest to that day. It just didn’t work out for many reasons in 2015, and yesterday was the first day in some time that Tim, Laurie, and I were out to capture the moment together. It was not at all planned as a “photo excursion.” But, as many times in the past, the day became a photo excursion.
Over the next few days and weeks I plan to post a variety of images from yesterday. But this post is to honor a day of friendship, of being with people who honor the joy of living each day fully.
The “excuse” at the start of the day was the 3rd Annual Corrales Rose Society Dr. Huey Tour. But, the day became so much more.
Laurie, the artist
Laurie Sketching
Laurie with HUGE Dr Huey
Tim, the photographer
Tim Price, Photographer, Getting That One Bloom of ‘Altissimo,’ Backlit
Tim Price, Photographer
Tim with HUGE Dr Huey
The Old San Ysidro Church and Cemetery
Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales
Old Corrales Church Cemetery, with Tim and Laurie
At Tim and Laurie’s
Butterfly on Purple Salvia
Iris in Foreground, Rose ‘Dr Huey’ in Background
Spunk, one of Tim and Laurie’s seven cats. He looks so sweetly innocent, but don’t be fooled. 🙂 He is an extremely intelligent, curious cat, which has gotten him into a bit of trouble. He has destroyed enough things that he has a running tab and has to model to help pay down his debt. He is very accommodating as a portrait model. 🙂
Spunk, One of Tim and Laurie’s Seven Cats. Don’t Be fooled by That Adorably Innocent Look
Yesterday was a wonderful day with friends and photography.
Paco, my 13 year old tuxedo cat; a good little companion
Paco turned 13 in November, and I got him as a rescue just about 13 years ago now. He is beginning to slow down a little bit, but remains a good little companion. His name from the rescue group was “Dean” after Dean Martin, because of the tuxedo markings, but I changed his name immediately. He just wasn’t/isn’t a “Dean.”
Paco is rather jealous of my time on the computer, and would prefer that I spend the day in a recliner so he could sleep on me, but I’m not ready to slow down that much. 🙂
Paco does have an annoying habit of waking me up every single day between 3:00am and 4:00am. He refuses to be ignored! It is easier to get up and feed him (yes, I know he has me trained!). Most days, fortunately, I am able to fall back asleep in short order; today was not one of them. He is such a good little companion, though, that I can usually tolerate this annoying habit of his.
Paco turns 13 today. Like so many other things in life, those 13 years have certainly flown by. He has been, and is, a great little companion (even if he does get me out of bed every morning at 3:00 am to feed him!)
PacoMy tuxedo cat, PacoPacoPaco looking out the windowPaco Watching a Bird on a Rainy DayPaco Enjoying Part of an ApplePaco Enjoying his Heated BedPaco
Paco was a shelter cat, born to a feral mom shortly after she was captured by animal rescue.
I’ve had cats live to be 13, but, so far, none have made it to 14. Here’s hoping Paco will be the first! Happy Birthday, Paco!
