Fleeting Pulchritude

At first light the Llano Estacado prairie flaunts the crystalline aftermath of an overnight freezing fog--amazing albeit ephemeral beauty. The exquisite artistry of frost and light inspires poetry.

Nocturnal hosts of rimy minions spill
Their icy breath ‘cross age-old plain,
Scribe ethereal poetry upon the realm,
Fleeting artistry to herald winter’s reign.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Country Road
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm thicket)

Cactus On Ice
(Big Pad Prickly Pear Cactus)

Gnarly Siberian
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Sunny Respite
(Cooper)

Frosty Soliloquy
(yucca campestris aka Plains Yucca and Siberian Elm on the Llano Estacado)

Soft Pricklies
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla)

Breath Of Winter
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Fleeting Pulchritude
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Scouting Sawtooth Daisy Loop
(Cooper)

Frosted Sunflower
(helianthus annuus aka Annual Sunflower)

Lost In Ice
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Thorny Cuddle Buddy
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla)

Winter Cottontop
(digitaris californica aka Arizona Cottontop)

Frozen Tundra
(Cooper)

Frigid Enclave
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Sawtooth Daisy Loop

Crystal Palace
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla)

Grassland Trail
(shortgrass prairie on the Llano Estacado near Clovis, New Mexico)

Winter Melody

Llano Winter Morning

Starry Night

Blustery west winds whirl
Among remnants of autumn
Quivering on pear boughs,
While starlight whispers
Eternal songs of the universe,
Giving wing to heart and soul.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Starry Night
Clovis, New Mexico USA

Sunrise Spirit

After several days of murky skies, snow and sleet the Llano Estacado dawns to azure skies. Prairie flora skeletons capture sunrise hues. The warm palette belies twenty-four degree airs. My shadow skims the frozen landscape in search of comfort. Underfoot the hardened snow cover crunches a gentle rebuke of my intrusion into the early morning serenity. I take a moment and listen to whispers borne on prairie winds. A new door to my heart opens. My soul renews communion with God.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Sunrise Spirit

And So It Begins - Winter 2013

Absent the usual furies of wind, overnight temperatures near 20º F conspire with moisture-laden clouds and deposit a fluffy comforter of celestial down across the slumbering Llano Estacado. Eight inches of snowfall blankets the tablelands at daybreak.

First peeks out windows reveal a magical aftermath born of gentle chaos. Remaining autumn foliage of yard trees paints colorful masterpieces across the wintry palette. Water droplets from roof drip edges discover icicles and meld into crystal magnificence. Roosting birds resemble puffballs. And, a fine powder of snow still sifts from gray skies.

Before long Cooper and I succumb to the siren call of the open prairie and venture into her frigid embrace. We meander down ranch roads and game trails. While I trudge along laboriously, Cooper scampers across the snow-covered plain with relative ease. His exuberance fuels my pace. I pause frequently and partake of the prairie’s essence. My spirit soars. Rusty and burnt-orange autumn troubadours of a week ago now sing a different tune. Frosty pastel hues dominate.

Come walk with me.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Nopales Escalofríos - Cactus Shivers
(opuntia engelmannii aka Discus Prickly Pear)

Winter Slumber

Autumn Echoes
(amaranthus palmeri aka Palmer's Amaranth skeletons)

Delicate Relationship
(solanum rostratum aka Buffalo Bur)

Gentle Slumber
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Exit Stage Left
(Cooper)

Pathfinder
(Cooper)

Intrepid Llanero
(Cooper)

Snowy Huddle
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla)

Quietude
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm)

Come Out, Come Out Whoever You Are
(Cooper)

Cholla Bearing Gifts
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla tuna)

Wintry Passage
(Llano Estacado east of Clovis, New Mexico)

Winter Treasure
(brickellia eupatorioides aka False Boneset)

Prickly Sextuplets
(solanum rostratum aka Spiny Nightshade)

Spanish Daggers And Gold
(yucca campestris and brickellia eupatorioides)

Tumultuous Welcome
(cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla)

Sublime Chaos

Yucca Quintet
(yucca campestris aka Plains Yucca)

Winter Solace

As peerless crystals
Sift from leaden skies
And gently silence
Last songs of autumn,
The prairie slows
Her lively dance of life
And welcomes solace
Born of winter slumber.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Gentle Slumber
(ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm thicket)

Winter Solace
(brickellia eupatorioides aka False Boneset)

November Harmonies

While autumn chills

Embrace the arid plain

And winged eleventh-hour

Prairie drifters cherish

Last drops of nectar,

Humanity yearns

For the quietude of winter

And the miracle of Christmas

To renew heart and soul.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Common Checkered Skipper
(pyrgus communis)

Sunny Delight
(pyrgus communis aka Common Checkered Skipper)

Skipper Gremlin
(unidentified)

Christmas In November
(schlumbergera truncata aka Christmas Cactus)

Llano Fence Line

Roughhewn posts speak of solitude
Once winter wraps the plain in down
Tablelands long for silence in snow.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Llano Fence Line

Winter Slumber

Snowflakes amass hugs gingerly 
Till tree limbs bend to their caress
Solace gives nod to winter slumber. 

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Winter Slumber

Cactus Breezes

Sandhill Cranes ride frigid airs
While I ponder cactus breezes
Coyote pleads with rising Moon.

© Ilija Lukić 2013

Contemplating Cactus Breezes
Self-portrait