Stardate September 9, 2011
Haiku My Heart is a wonderful place where people from around the globe post stunning photographs and write amazing Haiku. It was the brainchild of my friend, Rebecca, who pens the recuerda mi corazon blog. Have a look to see more and find out how you can participate HERE.
Pretty red flowers
Bells ringing out the beauty
Hiding in silence
While riding in the mountains surrounding Taos, New Mexico, we stopped to take a rest from the grueling ordeal of riding off-road up steep rock strewn terrain. Taos is around 7000 feet above sea level. It would be a good bet to say we were riding up at 9000 feet when I looked around and saw these tiny flowers. While lying prone on the ground, I used the macro lens technique, (Thanks Paula ), on my camera that allowed a close encounter with these tiny red beauties.
 |
| We stopped for a breather and captured our trusty steeds sitting along Forest Road 114 |
I don’t know what kind of wildflowers these are. This particular flower was small, less than an inch, and the entire plant sits on the forest floor. This specimen was barely 6-7 inches tall. Maybe someone can help me with an identification. I thought they looked like tiny red bells. I know I didn’t hear any ringing, yet I spotted them amidst an immense forest. I thought of their silence and yet they were so bold as to allow me to notice them. The color was so deep and rich.
 |
| Yours truly at a scenic overlook on New Mexico State Highway 518 |
Keeping with the total Spirit of Haiku My Heart, I will tell you that the riding has been fabulous so far. Getting off the highway and onto the forest service roads and trails in the Carson National Forest has been quite an experience. Yet my body and mind are telling me that my days of being capable of pulling off these maneuvers safely, and keeping myself out of possible dangerous situations, might be coming to an end. Maybe it’s the altitude making me think this way, but these thoughts come from my heart.
The bottom line is this. I am desperately missing my wife and family, but having a wonderful time with new motorcycle loving friends in a beautiful place amidst little red bells that are silently ringing in my ears.
May Peace be in your hearts
