Christmas Towhee: The Story Behind The Photograph
The Canyon Towhee is a year round resident of Abiquiu, this familiar robin sized bird is hardy and humble and adapts to all seasons. Summers at 6,200’ can be hot and dry or, wet and stormy while winters can be sunny and bright or, cold and snowy. Like the Towhee, we must be flexible and adjust to the seasonal shifts we do this gratefully. Looking out the window during the holiday season, I was happy to see our resident Towhee perched on the garden wall, the contrast of shapes was a perfect combination of texture and form that appealed to me immediately. The carved post came from a small supplier in Taos; we spied the post displayed in a group one day as we drove by en route from the Gorge Bridge to Taos. The step down in the adobe wall created a perfect curve and practical solution to deflect the wind which can blow fiercely from the west. The wall creates a soothing environment providing shelter and trapping just enough moisture to allow for a micro habitat for New Mexico Privet, Big Sage and some summer vegetables to flourish. The large ornaments were originally displayed on a 70’ evergreen adjacent the Tilden Merry go Round in Berkeley California, every December we hang them off of the beams around the casita and marvel at their shapes and the memories they evoke. The combination of these elements fit perfectly together to create an image that joins the past to the present. The Towhee brought it all together and I happily captured it with a click.
*Karen offers Christmas Towhee Cards through her online studio. Buy them directly from her HERE