Poetry Of Spirit And Light

Friday, May 13, 2011

Caliche Conquistadors

This casual observer of the Llano Estacado environs now accepts what the flora and fauna on the prairie take in stride as a natural cycle. They are in drought survival mode. The statistically due rains of May have yet to fill the skies and deluge the thirsty earth. The splash of moisture left behind by fast-moving monsoonal thunderstorms several days ago has some impact.

The Llano Estacado native flora, true caliche conquistadors and time tested survivors of droughts, respond surprisingly fast with small swatches of wildflowers. Without additional rain their blooms will abate within days. The delicate balance between life and death in the stressed ecosystem causes me to tread lightly on my forays, akin to my fleeting shadow draped in a makeshift sarape of wild flowers.

© Ilija Lukić 2011

Caliche Conquistadors

Dr Engelmann, I Presume

Great Escape

Prairie Octopus

Sarape Del Llanero

Spotted Horsemint

Prairie Mile Marker

Cooper and I enjoy trail running in the cool of the morning. A lone post in an abandoned fence line is our finish. Euphoria induced by endorphins my body releases transforms a physical commune with nature into spiritual experiences. The wolf genes in Cooper awaken with every jaunt as he trots along in our two-member pack.

As I walk off the lactic acid build-up in my legs, the fence post repeatedly reaches out to the photographer in me. After several gentle slaps to the back of my head I get the message...make an image. Cooper’s interpretation of the purpose of the fence post is different...a convenient nature call stop.

Prairie Mile Marker

Looking For The Finish Line

Contemplating A Nature Call

How Do You Spell Relief?

Yerba Cana

Only the hardiest of Llano Estacado native forbs light up the prairie these days. I notice a bright yellow display of flowers from a distance and thread my way through yucca and cactus to investigate. I find a branched and bushy shrub with threadlike, matted leaves. Its flower canopy glows like the golden cupola on an onion-domed Russian Orthodox church. I pause several minutes to allow the beauty of the moment to reach the innermost cockles of my heart.

As a member of the asteraceae family, today’s prairie treasure is a relative of daisies. Its commonly known as Threadleaf Groundsel. Its prominent color splash gives rise to a multitude of common names: Bush Senecio, Creek Senecio, Shrubby Butterweed, Comb Butterweed, Smooth Threadleaf Ragwort, Mono Ragwort, Douglas Ragwort, Douglas Groundsel, Sand Wash Groundsel, Felty Groundsel, Old Man, Yerba Cana, Squaw Weed or Cenicillo. It is a native of the Southwestern Great Plains.

The Cockles Of My Heart

Douglas ragwort (senecio flaccidus)

Threadleaf Groundsel Burst

Monday, May 9, 2011

Philosopher's Stone

A morning stroll on the Llano Estacado shortgrass prairie, with Cooper at my side, is an elixir of life. It replenishes reservoirs of happiness. Coveted by many, yet elusive, I stumble over the mythical philosopher’s stone time and again on my purposeful meander through the arid landscape. Magic permeates the still air.

The morning light transforms yucca stalks into lances of Comanche warriors in pursuit of bison; reptilian skeletal remains roar to life as a ferocious dragon; cactus buds accept their roles as parapets on impregnable castle walls; verbena, the fair maiden of the prairie smiles discretely at the ruckus echoing across her domain; squirrel tail grasses strut like plumed cohorts of Roman legions out for conquest; evening primrose, the prairie’s knights in shining armor recall gallant battles in the service of King Arthur; purple-spined porcupines carouse in the sun; and, hymenopappus steal the most coveted role of prairie jesters, Llano Estacado’s happiness viruses, as they dance on the prairie breeze looking for a host.

Tales of old emerge in the unlikeliest of places.

Maid Verbena

Plumed Roman Legions

Happiness Virus

Gathering Of Fair Maidens

Invitation To Dance

Reptilian Scales

Castle Parapets

Epitaph For a Dragon

Comanche War Lance

Orderly Ascent

Knights In Shining Armor

Shady Rest For a Warrior (Cooper)

Twistspine Ramparts

Purple-Quilled Porcupine

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Duke Of The Dutch Ovens

A caravan of chuck wagons rolled into town yesterday. Our annual Duke of the Dutch Ovens cook-off helps preserve the history and traditions of life on the plains. Friends and acquaintances gather to visit and enjoy some hearty old West trail grub. The menu includes juicy chicken fried steak, a variety of pinto bean concoctions, sourdough and plain biscuits or bread, potatoes galore, and my favorite...dutch oven peach cobbler...yumm.

I wander through the encampment capturing images of the early American West and talk with the friendly chuck wagon crews. One of the people I'm honored to meet is the 1950 New Mexico State Fair Queen...as beautiful as ever. She wears a delicate silver bracelet inscribed with her achievement. The sights, smells, and sounds of the gathering transport me to an era of unfettered dreams and endless possibilities. The American spirit of self-reliance permeates the midday High Plains air.

A traditional chuck wagon is a horse-drawn wagon used as a mobile kitchen to get food to people on the move...such as, cowboys working herds of cattle or wagon trains crossing the prairie. Texas rancher Charles Goodnight introduced this mobile kitchen idea to cowboy life on the range in 1866.

The cook-off contestants compete on several levels. The wagons must be in drivable condition equipped and constructed with methods and materials available in the late 1800s. The crews must cook using authentic old West tools and utensils. Attire and setting up a traditional camp are important. Last but not least, the food must satisfy a hungry cowboy after a long day of chasing ornery cattle through the chaparral. How do the “cookies” make the magic happen...dutch ovens.

Dutch ovens are cast iron cookware for boiling, baking, stews, frying, roasting, and other uses limited only by the imagination of the cook. The ovens are durable and versatile. Lewis and Clark had them along on their expedition. The dutch oven popular among cowboys on the range has three legs, a bail handle, and a rimmed, concave lid to hold hot coals for more uniform heat distribution.