a mysterious aggregation….
“We all…apprehend the land imperfectly, even when we go to the trouble to wander in it. Our perceptions are colored by preconception and desire. The physical landscape is an unstructured abode of space and time and is not entirely fathomable; but this does not necessarily put us at a disadvantage in seeking to know it….”
“…Believing them to be fundamentally mysterious in their form and color, in the varieties of life inherent in them, in the tactile qualities of their soils, the sound of the violent fall of rain upon them, the smell of their buds – believing landscapes to be mysterious aggregations, it becomes easier to approach them. One simply accords them the standing that one grants the other mysteries, as distinguished from the puzzles, of life.” **
**The above words are from Barry Lopez in Arctic Dreams….
Scott's Place...Images and Words 
Smashing quote Scott and superb pictures!
January 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
Thank you, Adrian. 🙂
January 26, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Nice aggregations..
January 20, 2015 at 7:20 am
Thanks, man…..
January 26, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Majesty in photographs and words, Scott. A beautiful thoughtful collection.
January 20, 2015 at 7:58 am
You’re very kind, Karen….thank you.
January 26, 2015 at 6:58 pm
You’re making the desert come alive. Nice to see you getting absorbed in it…. 🙂
January 20, 2015 at 11:57 am
It’s not in my blood, yet…aside from the cactus spines, that is, but I’m working on it. 🙂
January 26, 2015 at 6:59 pm
It’s great to see all the cacti!
January 20, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Tons of ’em out there, Allen…….
January 26, 2015 at 6:59 pm
Beautiful pictures, that work very well with the quote.
January 20, 2015 at 10:40 pm
Thank you, Shimon….I thought they might go well together.
January 26, 2015 at 7:01 pm
An amazingly diverse and complex eco system. The mystery is evident from afar but getting closer the mystery is compounded……how can so many varied and complex life forms occupy such a dry rocky environment?
Your photos, Scott, are an eye opener and a superb record.
January 21, 2015 at 7:13 am
You’re spot-on with the words on the environment and the varied life out there, John…and all of the mystery, too. I hope the photos brighten your wintry, wet days over there in the Isles.
January 30, 2015 at 7:21 pm
A fascinatingl array of tones, textures and patterns! Wonderful quote.
January 21, 2015 at 7:57 am
Thank you, Susan. 🙂
January 30, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Those scenes are very refreshing to me!
January 21, 2015 at 7:53 pm
I’m glad you’re enjoying them so well, Terry…it has been rather beautiful out there lately. 🙂
January 30, 2015 at 7:20 pm
I am counting the days now until I head that way. Only 9 more days until I start heading west. Wonderful set of images.
January 22, 2015 at 2:07 am
I’m sorry for the delay in returning your comment, but it looks like you’re almost on your way now, aren’t you? Wishing you safe travels on your way out of the deep freeze and into our moderate winter desert. 🙂
January 30, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Yes, I’m on my way. Right now I am just west of Baton Rouge. We should be there on Monday! So excited!
January 31, 2015 at 4:37 am
Good for you!
January 31, 2015 at 6:17 am
Looks dry warm & green. We are presently a frozen white aggregation. Mind you the window sill cactus is starting to bloom in defiance of the view beyond the glass. 🙂
Great post and series & very effective choice of text.
February 1, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Definitely dry and green, but it was a little chilly at the beginning of the hike…but yes, “warm” compared to the location from which you are reading this. 🙂 And thank you…for your kind words about the post.
February 7, 2015 at 10:15 am
Your post has played a role in some of my creative madness. Hope you enjoy the result. 🙂
https://impliedspaces.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/what-do-i-want-to-give-to-the-trance/
February 8, 2015 at 8:26 am
How nice that the post was so inspiring…and yes, I did rather enjoy the result. 🙂
February 14, 2015 at 2:02 pm
beauty of arid Arizona…… very beautiful
February 3, 2015 at 1:29 pm
It can be very compelling.
February 3, 2015 at 7:10 pm
complete . . . compliments 🙂
February 6, 2015 at 5:14 am
Thank you, Liana…how nice to see you here again.
February 6, 2015 at 7:57 pm