View allAll Photos Tagged Blueface
Another lucky find while driving through Australia - - we were on our way to the Snowy Mountains from Halls Gap when we stopped for a stretch. While walking around I found this new type of honeyeater - - a Blue-faced Honeyeater in this case.
Blue-faced Honeyeater - mature
Rich Hull spotted this tiny meadowhawk at the edge of the woods and called me over ... it was a male Blue-faced. We've seen a few this summer - they hide in the woods (shade) in summer but will come out in the open as we cool down in September. September also brings Autumn meadowhawks - mostly to our north.
>> tiny (this one was particularly small - not much more than an inch long and slender) male Blue-faced meadowhawk, obelisking at McGraw-Ford WMA GA this month
Hope everyone enjoyed the eclipse!
Juvenile Blue-faced Honeyeater from a trip to Bendigo, central Victoria, Australia, in November 2022. I was hoping to capture a sharp image of one of the adults, but unfortunately this did not pan out; I was still very glad to encounter this species. It's amazing how different the faces of the juveniles are compared to the rich blues of the adults.
ift.tt/1uGTkJi: A beautiful fish swimming in the pool at the Sea World Australia, Gold Coast, Queensland. - ift.tt/1NZAcLN //
Today the temporary pools adjacent to Cattail Pond were full of Blue-faced Meadowhawks (Sympetrum ambiguum). The color of the male's face is often referred to as "China Blue". The face color of several other males seen of the same species was a "lime green" and not "China Blue". This male was a "China Blue" for sure. Patuxent Reserach Refuge, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Photographed at the 2019 Provincetown Carnival, “The Enchanted Forest.” Olympus mirrorless. Distressedfx plus.
Male peacock jumping spider Maratus personatus from Western Australia. Is this the cutest spider in the world ? Shot with Canon 5DSr and Mpe 65mm 1-5x macro lens , focus stack of 5 x images.
Male peacock spider Maratus personatus . A shot to show the tiny size of these beautiful little spiders, this is on my finger.
Artist & Piece Identification
Title: Star Child (2020)
Artist: George Toya (Jemez Pueblo)
Description & Artistic Context
This vibrant acrylic painting features a stylized central figure—a Sun/Star face mask—set against a deep black, star-filled cosmic background.
Central Motif: The central circular face is split down the middle with traditional blue (dotted with white stars) on the left side and red (dotted with white stars) on the right, featuring simple, bold line eyes and a small circular mouth.
Radiant Geometric Rays: Encircling the central face is a prominent multi-pointed star composition. Bold yellow rays with teal/turquoise and orange-yellow inner accents extend outward, intertwined with stepped, cloud-ladder designs in blue, red, and orange tones.
Cosmic Field: The background represents the night sky filled with small 4-point star symbols (+ shapes) in shades of orange, white, and yellow.
According to the artist's statement accompanying the exhibit, Star Child pays homage to Pueblo cultural elements (Air, Water, Fire, and Earth) and the spiritual energy that connects everything in the universe. The stars surrounding Star Child represent ancestors who remain connected to the living world through memories and teachings.
History & Context of Star Child (2020)
Painted in 2020 by George Toya, Star Child was created to explore the spiritual connections between humanity, nature, and the universe. The painting was featured in the exhibition Makowa: The Worlds Above Us at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe. The exhibit explores Pueblo cosmology, celestial bodies, and Indigenous perspectives on astronomy.
In Star Child, Toya bridges traditional Pueblo cosmology with contemporary painting technique. The central motif—the split red and blue face wearing a stellar sun mask—is framed by stepped cloud-ladder motifs (kiva steps) and sharp geometric rays. In Pueblo life, elements like Air, Water, Fire, and Earth are given sacred reverence, and physical manifestations in the universe are seen as living spirits. Toya designed the surrounding stars—rendered as simple cross/plus shapes—to represent the ancestors who have passed on but whose teachings and memories continue to guide the present world.
The Œuvre of George Toya
George Toya is a celebrated artist, designer, musician, and farmer from Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico. His artistic journey began at age ten when he discovered Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo in his school library. Over a career spanning several decades, Toya has developed a distinct style that fuses Indigenous symbolism with modern graphic design.
Key characteristics and achievements defining his body of work include:
Technical Precision & Graphic Aesthetic: Toya studied graphic design, engineering, and screen-printing early in his career. This background is heavily reflected in his paintings through crisp black outlines, sharp geometric drafting, and flat, vibrant color blocking.
Pueblo Iconography & Celestial Themes: His portfolio frequently incorporates sacred Pueblo motifs—such as suns, moons, stars, clouds, rain, and spirit figures—reimagined through strong lines and bold color choices inspired by New Mexican skies. He has described his work as a blend of tribal history, travels, observations, fantasy, and even comic book aesthetics.
Exhibitions & Solo Shows: Toya has participated in major Native art shows across the Southwest, winning awards at events like the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show and the Dallas Indian Art Market. In 2007, his solo exhibition Pueblo 3D was hosted at the Poeh Museum in Pojoaque, New Mexico.
Multi-Talented Work: Beyond canvas painting, Toya manages his own design and screen-printing company. He served as the manager of the Black Eagle drum group from Jemez Pueblo, which won a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Native American Music Album. He has also contributed designs to The Trail of Painted Ponies collectible line.
To see more of the artist's work and style, you can watch this preview of his Pueblo 3D exhibition. This video showcases George Toya's graphic art style and Pueblo iconography from his solo show at the Poeh Museum.
New Mexico 2026
Santa Fe Museum
Sony A7V
The 3rd we've seen lately in the same area along Little River. These have become scarce the last few years & they come out of the shade when temps get cooler in Fall (like now!). So, good to see them again. A small dragonfly. Shot in SuperMacro so my lens was right on him ... North Georgia 2 days ago