After dealing with hot water heater issues at Tristan’s house on Sunday, Solstice morning, we climbed the escarpment and photographed some of the lesser known petroglyphs in the Petroglyph National Monument.
Not sure of this one — turtle, beetle, horned toad, alien?
A mix of old and modern petroglyphs: the bear foot and thundercloud are old the rest of the markings are modern
There is a face that looks like a cat, what looks like a sun wheel, a lizard, and fish and what looks like a crescent moon that are very faint on this chunk of lava. Can you find them?
Thunder Being
View of the Sandias from the top of the lava flow. The petroglyphs are on south face of the escarpment of this lava flow.
View of the volcanos that produced the lava flows.
Thanks, Jennifer. A lot of the petroglyphs are animals with people-like faces. They often depicted animals as people and probably as gods in their drawings.
Look to the right for fish (the head is right on the line between the light and dark on the lava), and the moon, a crescent moon really, is right below it.
Great! We were speculating on whether that set of petroglyphs had some kind of astrological meaning. They are barely visible even when you are standing right in front of them, so it’s hard to tell what some of them are.
Thanks, Timothy! I found the old tripod when I cleaned out the garage. I was experimenting with using the tripod and the auto-timer on the camera this morning. The painting in the background was made by Rick’s father back in the 60s. I managed to get a photo with his signature showing below and to the right the headstock of the guitar. The full size picture is over on the performance page. I’m still learning how to use that camera…
Awesome. A nice solstice day outing for sure. The petroglyphs fascinate me. I used some in one of my works in progress (Novel Writing Monty 2013). Hopefully one day i’ll get to re-work it the way i want. But there are other fish to fry right now. Hugs!
Thanks, Janna! I grew up with the petroglyphs, so they always seemed so normal to me. Long before the area became a National Park, I raced on the motocross tracks they had on the top of the flow and later I raced mountain bikes around the volcanos. How things have changed. It’s all protected now.
Off Center & Not Even 
Really cool! I think that bug thing is a man, though. It looks like it’s got a face. 😄
Thanks, Jennifer. A lot of the petroglyphs are animals with people-like faces. They often depicted animals as people and probably as gods in their drawings.
Wonderful images, and such a perfect day to make – and then post – them.
Thanks, Susan. I had to get something out of the hot failed water heater and repairs.
I think you certainly made the most of that!
Amazing. I think this is the most cosmic Solstice ever.
Thanks, Genie. The ancients were into the cosmos.
Also the Solstice light was interesting — it seemed to be ancient as well.
How? Was it a transcendental experience?
The color of the light, Not transcendental.
Great photos, Timothy! That looks like a great hike in beautiful surroundings after a hard day.
I need a hint on where to find the half-moon and fish…
Look to the right for fish (the head is right on the line between the light and dark on the lava), and the moon, a crescent moon really, is right below it.
Found them! Thanks!
Great! We were speculating on whether that set of petroglyphs had some kind of astrological meaning. They are barely visible even when you are standing right in front of them, so it’s hard to tell what some of them are.
BTW I linke your new avatar.
Thanks, Timothy! I found the old tripod when I cleaned out the garage. I was experimenting with using the tripod and the auto-timer on the camera this morning. The painting in the background was made by Rick’s father back in the 60s. I managed to get a photo with his signature showing below and to the right the headstock of the guitar. The full size picture is over on the performance page. I’m still learning how to use that camera…
The full-sized photo is wonderful!
Thank you!
fascinating!
Thanks, Cindy.
Wow these were just out in the open? That is fascinating! Wow
There are lots of petroglyphs in the area. Some of them have been out in the open for about 12,000 years 😉
Happy Solstice to you:)
Thanks, Janet!
Awesome. A nice solstice day outing for sure. The petroglyphs fascinate me. I used some in one of my works in progress (Novel Writing Monty 2013). Hopefully one day i’ll get to re-work it the way i want. But there are other fish to fry right now. Hugs!
Thanks, Teagan! It’ seems like we all have so many things we would like to rework and finish 😉
Kokopelli is awesome ~ what a gift the ancients provided for us ~
I visited here once before, and I’ve always wanted to go back — it’s a rich and wonderful place in the world. Thank you for this solstice gift. 🙂
Thanks, Jet! It’s a very cool place. You’re welcome.
Nice photos! I like checking out petroglyphs and ruins. It’s fascinating to see such history.
Thanks, Janna! I grew up with the petroglyphs, so they always seemed so normal to me. Long before the area became a National Park, I raced on the motocross tracks they had on the top of the flow and later I raced mountain bikes around the volcanos. How things have changed. It’s all protected now.
These are indeed fascinating photos. It’s good to remember the ancestors, and imagine seeing the landscape with their eyes and sensibilities.
Thanks, Tish! it’s amazing that the drawings have lasted so long.
Perfectly captured textures. Can feel the heat ,the time.
Thanks, Gill! Merry Christmas!
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