In the weathered Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma, a white buffalo cow and her calf rested in a vibrant field of Indian paintbrush, their shaggy white coats gleaming in the dawn light. The delicate red-orange blooms of the wildflowers swayed gently, framing the sacred pair as a symbol of hope, echoing the Native American prophecy of the White Buffalo Calf Woman .

 

The vigilant cow, surveyed the prairie as she watched over her sleeping calf, nestled close. The worn-down peaks loomed in the distance, silent witnesses to this rare blessing. A soft breeze carried the scent of earth and wildflowers, whispering tales of resilience. To the tribes, this serene scene was a divine sign, a promise of renewal and peace in a world yearning for harmony, etched forever in the embrace of the ancient Wichitas.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it on.

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AI image created with Grok3. AI is a controversial subject among photographers. I have no problem with it, provided it is clearly labeled AI. Having said that I am admin of Wild Oklahoma and we don't allow it there. This is an image I had in my mind that I could never photograph. It could have been yesterday or a thousand years ago, the Wichitas are the same.

At twilight, as the savanna dons a cloak of pale orange and gray, a lone cheetah approaches a modest pool, its surface a mirror to the fading sun. This regal felid moves with silent grace, each step a testament to its dominion. Pausing at a small pool's edge, it lowers its head,at last light. With a delicate lap, it sips, the ripples spreading like whispers across the stillness. The air cools, the world hushes, and for a moment, the cheetah—nature’s swift sovereign—rests, its amber eyes reflecting the tranquil pool. Then, with a flick of its tail, it vanishes into the dusk.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

iPhone 14 Pro-7917.2

Sweetgrass baskets, a traditional craft made by locals in Charleston, South Carolina. These baskets are woven by Gullah artisans, descendants of enslaved West Africans, using sweetgrass, palmetto, pine needles, and bulrush. Originally used for rice winnowing on plantations, they are now prized as works of art and cultural symbols, often sold at places like the Historic Charleston City Market. Their intricate, coiled designs reflect a heritage passed down through generations.

[Grok3]

iPhone 14 Pro-7918.1

Sweetgrass baskets, a traditional craft made by locals in Charleston, South Carolina. These baskets are woven by Gullah artisans, descendants of enslaved West Africans, using sweetgrass, palmetto, pine needles, and bulrush. Originally used for rice winnowing on plantations, they are now prized as works of art and cultural symbols, often sold at places like the Historic Charleston City Market. Their intricate, coiled designs reflect a heritage passed down through generations.

[Grok3]

The big bull wood bison trudged through the snow-laden forest, his massive hooves crunching the frozen crust underfoot. Night had fallen over the northern wilds, cloaking the pines in shadow, but the sky blazed with ethereal light. Overhead, the aurora borealis shimmered—curtains of green and violet rippling across the heavens, casting a ghostly glow on the bison’s shaggy coat. His breath puffed out in thick clouds, mingling with the icy air as he lowered his head to paw at the snow, seeking the buried sedges beneath.

 

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the distant howl of a wolf, but the bison stood unperturbed, his bulk a fortress against the night. His dark eyes glinted in the aurora’s reflection, ancient and , resolute, as if he bore the history of centuries in his bones. The herd had scattered earlier, seeking shelter, but he lingered here, solitary beneath the cosmic dance. Snowflakes dusted his shaggy coat, sparkling like stars against the dark fur. For a moment, he lifted his head, horns cutting the sky, and let out a low, resonant grunt—a primal sound swallowed by the vastness. Above, the northern lights pulsed, a silent symphony to his legacy.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

Under the soft glow of a moonlit night, a white buffalo cow stood sentinel in the ancient, snowy Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. Her white coat shimmered like frost, a rare and sacred sight foretold by age-old Native American prophecy.

 

Bedding down in the snow, her calf nestled against her warm flank. Its tiny breaths forming delicate clouds in the cold air. The surrounding cedars stood silent, their dark silhouettes framing the idyllic scene, while the red granite bones of the weathered Wichitas enjoyed a star-strewn sky. A gentle wind whispered across the prairie, carrying a sense of reverence. To the local tribes, this pair was a symbol of hope and renewal, a blessing from the White Buffalo Calf Woman.

 

As the moon cast its soft light, the cow nuzzled her calf, their bond a testament to bison resilience. In this tranquil moment, the old mountains held their breath, honoring this sacred bond beneath the winter sky.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it on .

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AI image created with Grok3.

 

In the heart of a snowy Canadian night, a great gray owl perched silently on a snow-covered spruce branch, its towering silhouette blending with the shadows. Its plumage, a mottled tapestry of silver and ash, shimmered faintly in the moonlight. The owl’s piercing yellow eyes glowed like twin moons, scanning the stillness below, while its dished face, gave it an air of ancient wisdom.

 

Above, the northern lights danced across the sky in ribbons of aqua and violet, casting an otherworldly glow over the snow-draped forest. The air was still and frigid, as the owl stood sentinel, a ghostly guardian of the frozen forest.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3

Compared to Northern hemisphere fires this is totally not on the radar of the news media or environmentalists. And no, I'm not implying the world is burning down, but I am interested if these fires are natural or part of agricultural practices or living conditions.

 

Grok3 AI:

The Windy application’s global fire view, which likely incorporates data from sources like NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), shows numerous small fires across Africa south of the equator due to a combination of human activities, environmental conditions, and ecosystem dynamics. Below, I outline the primary causes of these fires, focusing on regions south of the equator, such as southern and central Africa, during their respective fire seasons. Primary Causes of Small Fires in Africa Below the EquatorAgricultural Practices (Slash-and-Burn and Land Clearing):Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: In southern and central Africa, particularly in countries like Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, small-scale farmers commonly use fire to clear land for agriculture. This practice, known as slash-and-burn, involves cutting vegetation and burning it to create nutrient-rich soil for crops. The ash fertilizes the soil, and the practice is cost-effective for smallholder farmers. These fires are typically small, localized, and widespread, contributing to the pattern observed on Windy’s fire view.

 

Crop Residue Burning:

After harvests, farmers burn leftover crop residues to prepare fields for the next planting season. This is common during the dry season (April to August in southern Africa), when vegetation is dry and flammable, leading to numerous small fires.

 

Land Management for Grazing:

Fires are deliberately set to manage rangelands for livestock. Burning removes old, dry grass, encouraging fresh grass growth for grazing animals. This practice is widespread in savanna ecosystems, which dominate much of southern Africa. These controlled burns are typically small and scattered, aligning with the pattern seen in the Windy application.

 

Seasonal and Climatic Conditions:

Dry Season Dynamics: South of the equator, the fire season peaks from April to August, coinciding with the dry season when vegetation dries out, creating abundant fuel. The savanna and grassland ecosystems, prevalent in southern Africa, accumulate dry biomass during the wet season, which becomes highly flammable during the dry months.

 

Climate Change and Drought:

Increasing temperatures and drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change, enhance fire susceptibility. In some areas, hotter and drier conditions have extended the fire season and increased fire frequency, particularly in regions like the southern Congo Basin.

 

Natural Causes (Lightning):

Lightning strikes during the transition from wet to dry seasons can ignite fires in savanna and grassland ecosystems, which are fire-dependent and adapted to periodic burning. While less common than human-induced fires, lightning contributes to the overall fire activity observed.

 

Deforestation and Land Use Change:

In tropical forest areas, such as parts of the Congo Basin, small fires are increasingly linked to deforestation. As forests are cleared for agriculture or logging, fragmented landscapes become more fire-prone. These fires are often small but numerous, as they occur in patches of cleared or degraded forest.

 

Aerosol Feedback Mechanism:

Research indicates that fire-induced aerosols (e.g., smoke particles) in Africa create a feedback loop that sustains fire activity. Aerosols influence local climate by reducing rainfall and increasing temperatures, drying out vegetation and making it more flammable. This mechanism amplifies fire seasons, particularly in central and southern Africa, contributing to the widespread small fires seen on Windy’s map.

 

Why Small Fires DominateFire Size and Detection:

Many fires in Africa south of the equator are small (<100 hectares) because they are set intentionally for specific purposes (e.g., clearing small plots or managing grazing land). These fires are often missed by coarser-resolution satellite data but are detected by higher-resolution tools used by platforms like Windy, which likely integrates data from MODIS or VIIRS sensors. Small fires account for a significant portion of burned areas (up to 41% in sub-Saharan Africa) and contribute substantially to emissions.

 

Cultural and Historical Practices:

Fire has been used for thousands of years in African savannas and forests for land management, making small, controlled burns a traditional practice. These fires are less intense than large wildfires but are numerous and frequent, creating the dense pattern of fire hotspots on Windy’s global fire view.

 

Regional ContextSouthern Africa (e.g., Angola, Zambia):

The savanna-dominated landscapes experience widespread burning during the dry season (April–August). Angola and Zambia, for example, saw 67,162 and 21,034 fires, respectively, in a single week in 2018, many of which were small agricultural burns.

 

Central Africa (e.g., Democratic Republic of Congo):

The Congo Basin, while historically wet, has seen increased fire activity due to deforestation and drier conditions, particularly in its southern and northeastern parts. Small fires in these areas are often linked to forest clearing.

 

Environmental and Social Impacts:

While these small fires are often intentional and culturally significant, they have consequences.

Air Quality: The cumulative smoke from numerous small fires degrades air quality, affecting rural communities and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., 1.44 PgC annually from African fires).

 

Ecosystem Effects:

Savanna ecosystems are fire-adapted, but excessive burning can lead to soil degradation and biodiversity loss, especially in deforested areas.

 

Climate Feedback:

The aerosol feedback loop and climate change exacerbate fire frequency, potentially increasing the number of small fires over time.

 

Conclusion:

The massive number of small fires observed on the Windy application’s global fire view in Africa south of the equator is primarily driven by traditional agricultural practices like slash-and-burn and land clearing for grazing, amplified by dry season conditions and, increasingly, climate change and deforestation. These fires are typically small and intentional, reflecting long-standing cultural practices in savanna and forest ecosystems. However, their frequency and environmental impact, including emissions and air quality degradation, highlight the need for monitoring and sustainable land management. For real-time data, platforms like Windy and NASA’s FIRMS are valuable tools for tracking these fires.

 

Grok3 Further Question:

What percentage of these fires are due to charcoal fuel production?

 

There is limited specific data directly attributing the percentage of fires in Africa south of the equator to charcoal fuel production, as most studies focus on broader causes like agricultural burning, land management, and natural fires. However, charcoal production is a known contributor to fire activity in the region, particularly in forested areas, and I can provide an informed estimate based on available information. Key Points on Charcoal Production and FiresCharcoal Production Process: Charcoal is made by cutting trees and burning them in low-oxygen conditions (e.g., in kilns or pits) to produce charcoal for cooking fuel. These fires are typically small and controlled but can spread if not managed properly, contributing to the fire patterns observed on platforms like Windy’s global fire view. In some cases, the initial clearing of forests for charcoal production involves slash-and-burn techniques, which also generate fires.

 

Prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa:

Charcoal is a critical energy source, with over 70% of sub-Saharan African households relying on woodfuel (including charcoal) for cooking. In urban areas like Kinshasa, up to 90% of residents depend on charcoal, driving significant demand and production-related fires.

 

Environmental Impact:

Charcoal production contributes to forest degradation and is often unregulated, leading to fires that may escape control. A 2019 report notes that charcoal production in countries like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo is linked to widespread tree cutting and fires, exacerbating deforestation and desertification.

 

Fire Characteristics:

Studies indicate that fires in southern Africa, particularly in savanna and grassland ecosystems, produce small, elongated microcharcoal particles, some of which are associated with charcoal production. However, these fires are often smaller than agricultural burns and may not dominate satellite-detected fire points.

 

Estimating the Percentage:

While no source provides an exact percentage of fires south of the equator caused by charcoal production, we can infer from related data:Dominance of Agricultural Fires: Research shows that savanna and grassland fires, primarily for agriculture and land management (e.g., slash-and-burn, grazing land preparation), account for 82.6–85.9% of burned areas in sub-Saharan Africa, with small fires (<100 ha) contributing 41% of total burned area. These agricultural fires are the primary driver of the numerous small fires seen on Windy’s fire view.

 

Charcoal Production as a Subset:

Charcoal production is often categorized under human-induced fires, which include agricultural, pastoral, and fuelwood-related activities. A 2020 study on East Africa notes that charcoal burning is one of several human activities causing fires, alongside slash-and-burn and pastoral burning, but does not quantify its specific contribution. In tropical forests like the Congo Basin, fires linked to deforestation (which includes charcoal production) have increased, but they remain a smaller fraction compared to savanna fires.

 

Indirect Evidence:

The high dependence on charcoal (e.g., 90% in Kinshasa) suggests that charcoal production contributes significantly to fire activity in forested regions south of the equator, such as the southern Congo Basin, Angola, and Zambia. However, savanna fires for agriculture and grazing likely dominate the total fire count due to the vast extent of savanna ecosystems.

 

Best Estimate:

Based on the available data, charcoal production likely accounts for a small but non-negligible percentage of the fires observed south of the equator. Given that agricultural and pastoral fires dominate (likely 80–90% of total burned area), and considering charcoal production’s role in forested areas, I estimate that 5–15% of the small fires in Africa south of the equator may be directly or indirectly linked to charcoal production. This range accounts for:Controlled burns for charcoal kilns and forest clearing for charcoal, which are smaller in scale than agricultural fires.

Regional variations, with higher contributions in forested areas like the Congo Basin compared to savanna-dominated regions like Angola or Zambia.

The lack of precise data, as most studies do not isolate charcoal-related fires from other human-induced fires.

 

LimitationsData Gaps:

No recent, comprehensive study specifically quantifies charcoal production’s contribution to fire counts in southern Africa. Satellite data (e.g., MODIS, VIIRS) used by Windy may detect charcoal-related fires but does not distinguish their purpose.

Regional Variability: The contribution of charcoal production varies by country and ecosystem (e.g., higher in forested Congo Basin areas than in savanna-dominated Zambia).

Uncontrolled Fires: Some charcoal-related fires may spread unintentionally, but these are likely a small fraction compared to intentional agricultural burns.

 

Conclusion:

While agricultural and land management fires dominate the fire landscape in Africa south of the equator (80–90% of burned area), charcoal production likely contributes 5–15% of the small fires observed on Windy’s global fire view, particularly in forested regions like the southern Congo Basin. This estimate is based on the high reliance on charcoal as a fuel source and its association with deforestation and burning practices, though precise data is lacking. For more accurate figures, region-specific studies or higher-resolution fire purpose analysis would be needed.

   

Do you recall how Flag Day came about, or did you ever know? I believe many people are so busy in their hectic lives, they don't properly acknowledge our American holidays. We all need to take a moment to reflect on our holidays and their history and meaning.

 

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag, which occurred on June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution. This resolution established the design of the flag with 13 stripes (alternating red and white) and 13 stars (white on a blue field), representing the original 13 colonies.

 

The idea for a dedicated Flag Day is credited to Bernard J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher who, in 1885, held the first recognized observance at his school and later campaigned for its national recognition. President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, and it was established as a national observance by Congress in 1949, though it remains a celebration rather than a federal holiday.

 

Our beautiful flag, pass it on.

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AI image created with Grok3.

 

Does ths species still exist? As I visited several swamps in southern states recently, this fantasy crossed my mind. But, is its extinction fantasy?

 

The last unconfirmed sighting of an ivory-billed woodpecker is imprecise but likely within the early 2020s (circa 2022–2023). The possibility of its existence persists, but is slim. The 2023 Ecology and Evolution study, backed by the FWS’s decision to delay extinction status, provides the strongest recent evidence, suggesting a tiny population could survive in remote southeastern swamps.

 

However, the lack of clear photos, habitat loss, and frequent misidentifications make extinction more probable. If alive, the ivory-bill’s numbers are critically low, underscoring the need for continued searches and habitat protection. I know it's a long shot, but it's fun to dream!

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

In the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma, a big bull plains bison stood alone on the mixed-grass prairie as a nighttime thunderstorm unleashed its fury. His shaggy coat, soaked with rain, glistened under jagged streaks of lightning that tore apart the ink-black sky. The wind howled, bending the native bluestem around him, but the old bull remained unshaken, his hooves rooted to the earth. Thunder rumbled with a deep bellow that echoed off the red-granite peaks, vibrating through his deep chest.

 

Raindrops pelted his broad forehead, streaming down his curved horns as he lowered his head against the gusts. His dark eyes glinted with each flash, reflecting his wild, untamed spirit. The herd had scattered earlier, seeking shelter among the scrubby junipers, but he stayed put, a solitary guardian of the plains. Lightning illuminated the ancient Wichitas, casting his hulking silhouette against the chaos—a monument to resilience.

 

The air crackled with electricity and reeked of ozone, and for a moment, he snorted, a plume of steam rising from his nostrils into the cold, wet night. The Wichitas were his domain, carved by wind and time; no storm could drive him from it. As the thunder faded to a distant rumble, he shook the water from his shaggy coat. With a slow, deliberate step, he turned eastward, unperturbed, waiting for dawn to illuminate his domain.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

 

In the soft glow of a Texas twilight, a sea of wildflowers rippled across a field near Denton, their blooms swaying gently. Above, a cloud of monarch butterflies danced on their migration north, their orange wings catching the fading light like embers against the sky.

 

Old Man Weir watched from his porch, rocking slowly, a smile creasing his weathered face. Each spring, they returned, a living river flowing through North Texas, resting among the oaks and wildflowers. A lone monarch landed on a bluebonnet near his boot, delicate and weary. “Keep goin’, little one,” he whispered. The air was filled with their quiet resilience, a timeless journey through a fleeting bloom.

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AI created image with Elon Musk's Grok3. Character is fictional.

  

In the rugged Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma, twilight draped the granite peaks in a soft, twilight haze. A lone bobcat, its tawny coat flecked with dark spots, prowled silently through the scrub oak and bluestem. Its amber eyes glinted, scanning for prey—perhaps a cottontail or a quail nestled in the underbrush. This was its domain, a wild expanse where ancient mountains stood sentinel over rolling plains.

 

Nearby, a second bobcat, a younger female, crouched atop a lichen-covered granite outcrop. She’d recently left her mother’s territory, driven by instinct to carve out her own. The two cats, unaware of each other, moved like shadows, their padded paws muffling every step. A sudden rustle—a deer bounding through the brush—froze them both, ears twitching. The moment passed, and they resumed their solitary hunts.

 

As stars pierced the darkening sky, the Wichita Mountains whispered their timeless song. These bobcats, fierce and free, embodied the untamed spirit of this Oklahoma land.

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AI generated image by Grok3.

Under a huge moon hanging low in the icy sky, the snow glittered like scattered stars across the forest floor. Three gray wolf pups tumbled out of their den, their breath puffing in excited clouds. The night was still, save for the crunch of their paws and their excited yips echoing through the pines.

 

In the distance, a shadow moved—graceful, deliberate. Their mother emerged from the trees, her thick coat shimmering in the moonlight. The pups bounded toward her, tails wagging like metronomes, their playful yips and whines filling the air. She lowered her head, nuzzling each one, her warm tongue brushing away the snow clinging to their faces. They pressed close, a tangle of fur and love, their soft whimpers a song of welcome.

 

For a moment, the cold world softened. The wind sighed through the branches, and the mega-moon watched over the reunion, bathing the little family in pale, tender light.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok.

Under a star-streaked sky near Concho, Oklahoma, 21-year-old Kody Little Coyote stood tall by the roaring fire, its crackling flames licking the night air. His pow wow regalia gleamed—eagle feathers cascading down his back, their tips swaying as he shifted, and a fringed beaded vest in black and white with red trim hugging his chest, stitched by his grandmother’s steady hands. Streaks of black and white paint outlined his face, marking him as a Cheyenne warrior, his dark eyes reflecting in the firelight like embers.

 

The drum circle thrummed nearby, a steady pulse that matched his heartbeat, calling the dancers to the arena. Kody's cousin, Little Hawk, had just won the junior fancy dance, and the family’s laughter still echoed in his ears. But here, by the fire, he felt something deeper— the weight of his ancestors, their strength flickering in the flames. He adjusted the porcupine roach atop his head, its quills bristling, and whispered a prayer in Tsêhésenêstsestôtse, the Cheyenne tongue, for courage in tomorrow’s competition. The fire snapped, sending sparks skyward, and Kody smiled faintly—ready to dance his story into the night.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.. Characters and events are fictional.

On a frigid morning at an undisclosed location, a team of scientists assembled at the perimeter of a frost-laden meadow, their exhalations visible in the crisp mountain air. After decades of rigorous genetic research, a historic milestone was achieved: the reintroduction of the dire wolf, Canis dirus, extinct for approximately 10,000 years.

 

Utilizing ancient DNA, three specimens were cloned. Their white fur contrasting sharply with the landscape. Larger than their modern counterparts, these formidable predators, with robust jaws and muscular frames, emerged from their crates, amber eyes surveying the unfamiliar terrain. Their inaugural howl reverberated through the coniferous forest, a resonant echo of a bygone era.

 

This initiative sought to restore an extinct species. Yet, as the wolves retreated into their huge enclosure, a profound question looms-- can humanity harmoniously coexist with a species resurrected from prehistory? There are no plans to attempt to stock wild populations, yet many people are fearful of recreating extinct species.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

Charlie was born in a dugout on the Chisholm Trail near the old Duncan Store in I.T. By the time he was in his early twenties, he'd moved into the 20th Century. He had a fertile 160-acre farm in the Wildhorse Creek bottom where his corn grew as high as an elephant's eye. That piece of bottomland was the envy of his neighbors. He would later lose it all in the Great Depression.

 

Around 1918 he acquired a nearly new Model T Ford, loaded up his wife Mattie, brother Bert, and father William (known to everyone in the Duncan community as "Uncle Billy"), and set out on a road trip to the Wichita Mountains and Medicine Park. There were no paved roads in the area then and an eighty-mile round trip and getting back home by dark was a challenge in that old tin Lizzy.

 

A crowd gathered to view Charlie's Model T on the edge of Medicine Park with the Wichita Mountains in the background. Keep in mind that most people were still driving teams and wagons and plowing with a mule at this time. An automobile drew a lot of attention.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. The image is fiction, but the story is true and the characters share my surname.

  

In the shadow of Second Mesa, Arizona, Kele, an elder Hopi man, rose with the sun, his silver hair glinting like desert frost. His adobe home, perched on the windswept plateau, echoed with memories of kachina dances and corn harvests. Today, he shuffled down the dusty street, cane tapping the earth, his eyes tracing the ancient mesas.

 

He carved a cottonwood root at a weathered table into a kachina doll, its form emerging as if alive—Sun God, he whispered, for his grandson’s ceremony. Neighbors nodded, their voices low with respect. A raven screamed overhead, a messenger, Kele believed, from ancestors who’d built these villages centuries ago.

 

As twilight painted the Arizona sky, he lit a pinyon fire, the smoke curling upward like ancient prayers. Though his gnarled hands trembled, his spirit was strong, rooted in the red rock and stories of a people who’d thrived here since time unremembered.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. Character is fictional.

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), a subspecies of cougar, is a rare and majestic big cat native to South Florida’s wetlands and forests. With a tan coat, muscular build, and a distinctive white patch on its muzzle, it measures 6-7 feet long, including its tail.

 

Critically endangered, with fewer than 200 individuals remaining, it faces threats from habitat loss and vehicle collisions. A solitary and elusive predator, it preys on deer, hogs, and smaller mammals. Known for its powerful leap—up to 15 feet—the panther is a symbol of Florida’s wild heritage, now protected through intensive conservation efforts.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it only

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

Oklahoma's "black gold" history began in 1859 when oil was first struck near Salina, but the boom ignited with the 1897 Bartlesville discovery. The 1901 Red Fork gusher and 1905 Glenn Pool find turned Oklahoma into a major oil producer, fueling economic growth. By 1910, the state led U.S. oil production, with Tulsa dubbed the "Oil Capital of the World." The Osage Nation’s oil wealth in the 1920s brought riches and tragedy, marked by the infamous Osage murders. The Oklahoma oil patch defines our history, identity, and economic well-being.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

A gusty wind swept across the Llano Estacado, rustling the yucca plants and bending the grasses under a huge Texas sky. Amid this timeless expanse stood a white buffalo, its pale coat glowing like a beacon against the earth tones. To the Native American tribes of the Great Plains— Comanche, Lakota, Cheyenne, and others—this rare creature was no mere anomaly; it was a sacred messenger, a living prophecy woven into their spiritual tapestry.

 

For the Lakota, a white buffalo embodied the legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman, a divine figure who appeared centuries ago. She brought the people the sacred pipe and taught them rituals to live in harmony with the Mother Earth. Her promise was clear: her return, signaled by a white calf, would herald a time of renewal, unity, and healing. The birth of such a buffalo was a call to restore balance—to mend broken ties between tribes, nature, and the Creator.

 

Elders spoke of its rarity, a one-in-millions chance, amplifying its power. When a white buffalo was sighted, ceremonies followed: prayers, songs, and offerings to honor its presence. It wasn’t just hope; it was a mandate to protect the land and traditions against encroaching modernity.

 

As the white buffalo grazed, its presence filled the air with quiet reverence. To those who understood, it whispered of resilience—a reminder that even in a fractured world, sacred signs endure, urging the people to rise, remember, and reclaim their strength.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

The Roman Colosseum, an enduring icon in Rome, Italy, is one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World and a testament to imperial might. Completed in 80 CE under Emperor Titus, this colossal amphitheater—originally the Flavian Amphitheatre—spans 620 by 513 feet, seating up to 50,000 spectators. Built of travertine, tuff, and concrete, it hosted gladiatorial combat, wild animal hunts, and public spectacles, reflecting Rome’s power and engineering prowess. Its four tiers, adorned with arches and columns, once gleamed under a retractable awning. The arena’s floor concealed an intricate hypogeum for dramatic staging.

 

Funded by spoils from the Jewish War, it opened with 100 days of games. Though damaged by earthquakes and plundering, its weathered shell remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At dusk, its silhouette evokes the roar of ancient crowds, a monument to both grandeur and the brutal spectacles of Rome’s past.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3 and PS. View Seven Wonders of the World album to the right to view all wonders.

In the rugged wilds of southeastern Arizona, whispers of jaguar sightings stir among the locals. Once roaming freely across the Southwest, these elusive cats (Panthera onca) retreated south centuries ago, but recent decades have rekindled hope of its return. In 1996, a hunter’s photograph near the Huachuca Mountains reignited intrigue, followed by trail camera captures in 2011 of a male dubbed “El Jefe.” His spotted coat blended seamlessly with the desert scrub, a phantom at dusk. Biologists tracked him for years, marveling at his solitary reign over rugged canyons until he vanished in 2015.

 

Then, in 2021, another jaguar—distinct with bolder rosettes—appeared near the Santa Rita Mountains, sparking excitement. These rare visitors, likely dispersing from Mexico’s breeding population 130 miles south, navigating a perilous journey of border walls and human sprawl. Each sighting fuels conservation debates, a testament to the jaguar’s resilience and Arizona’s enduring wildness.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a small, elusive wild cat native to the Americas, including South Texas and the Rio Grande region. It boasts a slender frame, long tail, and large, expressive eyes, weighing 24 to 39 inches in body length and weighing 15 to 35 pounds. Its coat is a striking mix of tawny yellow to reddish-brown, adorned with black rosettes, spots, and stripes, providing excellent camouflage in the thornbrush and forests it inhabits.

 

Ocelots are nocturnal hunters, preying on small mammals, birds like bobwhite quail, and reptiles, using their keen senses and agility. Solitary and territorial, they roam diverse habitats, from dense scrublands to wetlands like Laguna Atascosa. Though once widespread, habitat loss and fragmentation have made them rare in the U.S., with populations now primarily in Central and South America.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it on.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States due to its adoption as a symbol on the Great Seal of the United States, designed in 1782. Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, the bald eagle was chosen for its strength, long life, and majestic appearance, representing freedom and independence. Its presence across North America, particularly in the young nation, further solidified its status.

 

Despite Franklin's preference for the wild turkey, citing the eagle's scavenging habits, the Continental Congress approved the bald eagle on June 20, 1782, with the seal featuring it clutching an olive branch and arrows. The bald eagle’s white head and tail, dark brown body, and powerful wingspan (up to 7.5 feet) made it a striking emblem. Its official recognition as a national symbol was reinforced over time, with the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 cementing its cultural significance.

 

No image evokes the feeling of patriotism and strength more than that of the American bald eagle.

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AI image created with Grok3.

The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as a mountain lion or puma, is a formidable feline predator native to the Americas, ranging from the Yukon to the Andes. This solitary carnivore boasts a sleek, muscular frame, typically weighing 120-220 pounds, with males larger than females. Its tawny coat, unmarked save for a lighter underbelly, provides camouflage in diverse habitats—forests, deserts, and mountains.

 

Adapted for agility, the cougar’s powerful hind legs enable leaps up to 40 feet horizontally and 15 feet vertically, ideal for ambushing prey like deer, elk, and smaller mammals. Its retractable claws and sharp teeth ensure a lethal grip. Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, it stalks with stealth, relying on keen senses of sight and hearing. With a population estimated at 30,000 in North America, the cougar embodies adaptability and hunting prowess, reigning as an apex predator across its expansive range.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

First in a series of the Seven Wonders of the World (modern). An album has been created to house these images. A new image will be added daily.

 

The Great Wall of China is an awe-inspiring feat of engineering, stretching over 13,000 miles across northern China. Begun in the 3rd century BCE under Emperor Qin Shi Huang to protect against nomadic invaders like the Mongols, it evolved over centuries through successive dynasties, notably the Han, Northern Wei, and Ming. Constructed primarily of stone, brick, tamped earth, and wood, its design varies—fortified watchtowers dot rugged mountains, while lower walls traverse plains.

 

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) crafted its most iconic sections, using kiln-fired bricks for durability. Beyond defense, it facilitated trade along the Silk Road, border control, and communication via beacon fires. Spanning diverse terrains from the Gobi Desert to the Yellow Sea, it’s not a single continuous line but a network of segments, some now in ruins.

 

Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions to marvel at its scale and history. Under moonlight, its serpentine path glows, a testament to human ambition and endurance across millennia.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. Dates and facts researched with Grok3. Click album on the right to view all wonders.

Folks, bison are unpredictable and dangerous, never get as close as I did to this Yellowstone bull. He just reached out and sniffed me, gentle as a new-born calf. At least it appears that way. This is actually an AI image I created with Elon Musk's GROK3. I might not be mensa material, but I would never get this close to a big bull!

 

Recently I've been creating some AI images of subjects that interest me. I enjoy fooling around with AI, but I'm also conflicted by how AI images will likely be passed off as photography. Any I post will be clearly cited as AI. Love it or hate it, AI is going to permeate many facets of our lives.

 

Chichen Itza, a sprawling Mayan city in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, thrived from 600 to 1200 CE and ranks among the modern Seven Wonders of the World. At its heart stands El Castillo, a 79-foot step pyramid dedicated to Kukulkan, the feathered serpent god. This architectural marvel, built around 800-900 CE, doubles as a calendar—its 91 steps per side, plus the top platform, total 365, mirroring the solar year. During equinoxes, shadows cast a serpent slithering down its steps, a testament to Mayan astronomical prowess.

 

The city, once a political and cultural hub, spans 4 square miles, featuring the Great Ball Court—largest in Mesoamerica—and the eerie Cenote Sagrado, a sacrificial sinkhole. Influenced by Toltec culture after 1000 CE, its carvings depict warriors and deities. Declining by 1200, it lay reclaimed by jungle until excavations in the 19th century. Now a UNESCO site, Chichen Itza’s twilight glow reveals a legacy of ingenuity, spirituality, and ancient power.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. Click the Seven Wonders album which will eventually contain all.

  

The Taj Mahal, an exquisite Mughal mausoleum in Agra, India, is one of the modern Seven of the World, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653. Crafted from gleaming white marble, it honors his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.

 

Designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, its symmetrical splendor features a 240-foot central dome, flanked by minarets, and intricate pietra dura inlays of floral motifs. Spanning 42 acres along the Yamuna River, the complex includes a mosque, guest house, and lush gardens, reflecting Persian and Islamic influences.

 

Over 20,000 artisans labored to create this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a pinnacle of Mughal art. Under a full moon, its marble glows ethereally, embodying eternal love and architectural genius. Though Shah Jahan was later imprisoned by his son, his legacy endures in this timeless monument, drawing millions to marvel at its beauty.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. See album to the right to view all wonders.

 

Under an endless New Mexico sky, Awee stood by her roadside table near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the wind caressing her long black hair. Her hands, weathered yet steady, crafted turquoise necklaces and silver rings, each piece a story of Navajo pride and resilience.

 

In the seemingly bottomless gorge, the Rio Grande whispered ancient songs as tourists slowed their cars, A young couple paused at Awee's table, admiring a pendant shaped like a thunderbird. “My grandmother taught me,” Awee said, her voice soft, “turquoise carries the sky’s protection.” They bought it, leaving a couple of crumpled twenties, not even minimum wage for the time she spent making the piece.

 

As dusk painted Taos Mountain a pale orange, a golden eagle circled overhead, and Awee smiled—her day’s work done. She packed her treasures, the bridge’s silhouette fading behind her old Chevy van, knowing tomorrow she’d return, weaving tradition and love into every sale.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. Character is fictional.

Up in the Dakota, a young half-breed Cheyenne named Ma'tano wrestled with a tortured soul. Born to a Cheyenne mother and a white trader father, he straddled two worlds, never fully belonging to either. His copper skin and sharp cheekbones marked him as native, but his gray-green eyes—his father’s eyes—drew wary glances from the tribe. The Cheyenne called him “Ghost Walker,” a name that stung like a whip, while the settlers sneered “half-breed” when he passed through their dusty towns. Lost between bloodlines, he yearned for a place to live.

 

At nineteen, Ma'tano turned to the plains, chasing buffalo to carve out an identity. Astride a wiry mustang, rifle in hand, he rode with a crew of hunters—outcasts like him. The thunder of hooves and the crack of gunfire drowned out his doubts as he felled bison, their shaggy hides piling up like markers of worth. Yet each kill gnawed at him. The buffalo were sacred to his mother’s people, their spirit tied to the land, and he felt her voice in the wind, whispering of betrayal.

 

The white hunters praised his aim, but their camaraderie rang hollow—he was still “the Indian” to them. Nights by the campfire, staring into the flickering dark, Ma'tano wondered who he was beneath the blood and dust. The plains offered no answers, only echoes of a heritage split in two, and a man hunting his way toward a self he might never find.

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Two spirit images live within the larger image made with Elon Musk's GROK3. Did you see them?

 

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a majestic, elusive feline native to the rugged mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas. Known for its thick, pale gray fur adorned with dark rosettes and spots, it blends seamlessly into its snowy, rocky habitat. This solitary predator has a robust build, weighing 60-120 pounds, with a bushy tail nearly as long as its body, aiding balance and warmth. Its large, fur-covered paws act as natural snowshoes, while powerful hind legs enable leaps up to 50 feet.

 

Snow leopards thrive at elevations between 9,800 and 17,000 feet, hunting prey like ibex, blue sheep, and smaller mammals. Adapted to harsh, cold climates, they possess a deep nasal cavity to warm air before it reaches their lungs. With fewer than 7,000 left in the wild, these enigmatic cats are a vulnerable species, symbolizing the wild beauty of high-altitude ecosystems.

 

Our beautiful world, pass it on.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

 

I'm starting a new big cat series of AI images. Watch for more.

In the heartland of Oklahoma, where the wind sweeps red dirt plains, oil and gas pulse like the Sooner State's lifeblood. It started in 1897 with the Nellie Johnstone No. 1, a gusher that birthed an industry, and by the 1920s, Oklahoma was pumping a quarter of America’s crude. For a state carved from hardscrabble land and resilience, these resources turned dust into dollars, fueling growth when farming alone couldn’t cut it.

 

Take Enid, once a sleepy wheat town—oil rigs sprang up like iron wildflowers, and suddenly there were jobs, schools, roads. In 2025, the story’s still the same: oil and gas account for nearly a third of Oklahoma’s economy, employing tens of thousands—roughnecks, engineers, truckers—while tax revenues keep the lights on in rural counties. Natural gas heats homes through brutal winters, and the state’s pipelines stretch like arteries, feeding a nation hungry for energy.

 

But it’s not just money. It’s identity. From Tulsa’s faded “Oil Capital” crown to the rigs dotting Osage County, the industry shapes Oklahoma’s history and pride. When prices dip or rigs idle, towns feel the pinch—stores shutter, and families tighten belts. Yet when the bit strikes black gold, it’s a lifeline, a reminder that beneath the red dirt lies a legacy of survival. Oil and gas don’t just drive Oklahoma; they define it, for better or worse, binding its past to its future.

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AI photo created with Elon Musk's GROK3

The Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a medium-sized wild cat native to North America, renowned for its adaptability to cold environments. Typically weighing 18–24 pounds and standing about 19–22 inches tall, it boasts a thick, silvery-brown coat with faint spots, providing camouflage in snowy forests. Its large, padded paws act like snowshoes, enabling silent stalking across deep snow, while tufted ears enhance its acute hearing. A short, black-tipped tail and a ruff of fur framing its face give it a distinctive look.

 

Primarily a solitary hunter, the lynx preys on snowshoe hares, which dictate its population cycles. Found across Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern U.S., it thrives in boreal forests. Elusive and rarely seen, the Canadian lynx embodies the quiet resilience of the wilderness, perfectly attuned to its harsh, wintry domain.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

  

To many Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota Sioux, a white buffalo holds profound spiritual significance, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

 

According to Lakota legend, the White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the sacred pipe and teachings of unity over 2,000 years ago, promising to return as a white buffalo calf during times of need. Her reappearance is seen as a sign of peace and a call to restore balance with nature and among people. The rare birth of a white buffalo is celebrated with ceremonies, viewed as a sacred blessing, and a reminder to honor the Earth and its creatures.

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AI image created with Grok3. Setting is the Llano Estacado of Texas.

In the heart of the desert, where crimson buttes pierce the sky, Monument Valley straddles the Arizona-Utah border, a sacred expanse for the Navajo (Diné). The towering sandstone spires, sculpted by eons of wind and time, stand as sentinels over a land steeped in Dinétah, the Navajo homeland.

 

Here, the Diné live in harmony with the earth, their hogans dotting the valley’s vastness, blending with the rust-hued sands. For generations, they’ve woven stories of Changing Woman and the Holy People, their traditions etched into the landscape. Sheep graze under the watchful eyes of elders, while weavers craft intricate rugs, threads vibrant as the sunset.

 

The valley, a living monument, holds ceremonies and songs, and its deafening silence is a prayer. Though tourism brings outsiders to marvel at the iconic vistas, the Diné remain stewards, their resilience enduring amid the timeless stone giants, forever bound to this sacred ground.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Incan citadel nestled in Peru’s Andes Mountains, is a breathtaking relic of a vanished empire and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built around 1450 under Emperor Pachacuti, this stone-hewn marvel sits at 7,970 feet, cradled by jagged peaks and lush valleys. Its terraced fields, temples, and residences—constructed without mortar—reflect advanced Incan engineering and astronomy, aligned with solstices.

 

Likely a royal retreat or sacred site, it housed priests and nobles until its mysterious abandonment during Spain’s conquest. Rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, its mist-shrouded ruins emerged from obscurity, revealing a lost world. Spanning 116 square miles, the site includes the Temple of the Sun and Intihuatana stone, tied to Incan cosmology. Today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

 

Machu Picchu draws adventurers via the Inca Trail, its weathered stones whispering of resilience and reverence. At twilight, its silhouette against the Andes evokes a timeless connection with nature and human ingenuity.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. Click the album to the right to see all seven.

Petra, nestled in Jordan’s desert canyons, is an ancient marvel carved into rose-red cliffs by the Nabataeans around 300 BCE. This sprawling city, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, thrived as a trading hub along caravan routes, linking Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. Its iconic Treasury, Al-Khazneh, emerges dramatically from the narrow Siq, a winding gorge, its intricate facade hinting at royal tombs or temples.

 

Beyond, Petra unfolds with rock-hewn theaters, monasteries, and dwellings, blending Hellenistic architecture with local ingenuity. At its peak (1st century CE), it housed 20,000 people, fueled by a sophisticated water system of dams and cisterns. Conquered by Rome in 106 CE, it faded after trade routes shifted, lying forgotten until rediscovered in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

 

Petra glows at twilight, its sandstone cliffs ablaze with color, whispering tales of a lost civilization. Half-built, half-carved, it remains a testament to human artistry and resilience in an ancient, arid wilderness.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

Beneath a vast, starry Oklahoma sky, a 15-year-old Cheyenne boy stands tall beside a crackling fire, its warm glow dancing across his pow wow regalia crafted by the skilled hands of his mother and grandmother, the native attire a vibrant tapestry of Cheyenne tradition.

 

His youthful face is painted a ghost-like white with black accents. Barefoot on the cool earth, he stands with quiet pride, the smoke curling upward as if carrying his presence to the ancestors watching from the night sky. The familiar sound of drums beats strongly, and the stars seem to lean closer, as if to witness this endless circle of life.

Out on the West Mesa near Taos, New Mexico, where sagebrush meets the endless sky, lived Amos Tully, an old cowboy with skin like cracked leather and a weathered cowboy hat. He shunned town life, preferring his adobe shack on the mesa with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains looming in the distance. His only steady companion was an an ancient olive-drab Willys jeep, a battered relic from the 50's, patched together with grit and bailing wire.

 

One late afternoon, as the sun sank low, painting the desert gold, Amos set out to check on a sick heifer. The jeep rattled to life, puttering along the dirt track, the air sharp with creosote. He didn’t see the rattlesnake—until the front tire rolled over it. A faint thud, and the jeep skidded to a stop.

 

“Well, hell,” Amos muttered, spitting tobacco juice. He leaned out, squinting at the run-over rattler. A twinge of regret hit him—he’d killed rattlers before, but not like this. It felt sloppy. Climbing out, his knees creaking, he crouched beside it. The snake was dead, limp as an old rope. “Didn’t mean you no harm,” he said, tipping his hat back.

 

He climbed back in, hands tight on the wheel, and gave the snake a final look before shifting into second gear.

 

“Reckon that’s one less worry,” he said to the empty air. The old jeep lurched forward, carrying Amos into the twilight of the West Mesa. Out here, where the land is unforgiving, life rolls on—rattlesnakes or not.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3. Characters are fictional.

  

My virtual assistant Grok sneaked into the reception after today's meeting. Out of the camera's view, DJT slipped into something more comfortable. No alcohol at Saudi affairs, but DJT doesn't drink anyway. It was only a problem for Pete. Grok's boss, Elon was there, too.

 

Rumor is he flies to Qatar tomorrow to pick up his new plane. If they fly it home, I'll have Grok aboard. No one knows what Grok knows.

Over the past century, Taos Pueblo has stood as a timeless magnet for photographers. Its ancient adobe structures, stacked like golden steps against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, draw artists from across the globe. The Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, buzzes with shutter clicks as dawn paints the mud walls in soft pinks and oranges. Photographers crouch low to capture the texture of weathered vigas or climb nearby ridges for sweeping panoramas with Taos Mountain in the background.

 

The Taos people, warm, yet private, allow shots of their sacred home but ask for respect—no faces, no ceremonies. Each frame tells a story: the ripple of cottonwood shadows, the glint of mica in the plaster, the quiet resilience of a 1,000-year-old community. For serious photographers, Taos Pueblo isn't just a subject—it is a pilgrimage, a place where light and history merge in perfect focus.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3. The character is fictional.

Sheriff Buford Presley rode into town on a cold January morning, his badge gleaming like a promise. At almost 80, he was too old for the job, but his steel-gray eyes carried a consequence that silenced many of his doubters. Still, there were those who questioned he could clean up the rough Rio Grande country filled with smugglers and Mexican cartels. It was the Wild West

 

In just a matter of weeks, he'd secured the southern border, not only in his county, but all the way from Texas to California —and the townsfolk are looking at Buford differently. Not with complete trust, not yet, but with something more important--hope. The fight isn't over, but the new sheriff has drawn a line in the sand, and he isn't stepping back.

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AI image created with GROK3. Parody. Character is fictional.

Everyone is celebrating today! In case you're wondering just what inspired this festive day, read on:

 

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when a smaller, poorly equipped Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated a larger French force under Napoleon III. The victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resilience against foreign intervention. At the time, France aimed to establish a European-controlled monarchy in Mexico, exploiting Mexico's debt issues. Though the French later succeeded in installing Emperor Maximilian, the battle inspired national pride. Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated in the U.S. today, especially by Mexican-American communities, as a day of cultural heritage and festivity.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

The Oklahoma State Capitol’s story began when Oklahoma City won a 1910 vote to replace Guthrie as the state capital. Construction kicked off on July 20, 1914, after Governor Lee Cruce broke ground on land donated by William F. Harn and John J. Culbertson. Designed by the Layton and Smith firm in the grand Beaux Arts style, the six-story building was completed on June 30, 1917. Its exterior boasts Indiana limestone and Oklahoma granite, but the original $1.5 million budget axed plans for a dome—a decision debated for decades.

 

Built atop the “Petunia Number One” oil well, the Capitol reflects Oklahoma’s oil-rich roots. For years it was boasted that Oklahoma was the only state with an operating oil well on its capitol grounds. For nearly 90 years, it housed all three government branches until the judiciary moved out in 2011. The missing dome finally materialized in 2002, thanks to a $20.8 million push by the Oklahoma Centennial Act. Topped with Enoch Kelly Haney’s 22-foot bronze “The Guardian,” it was dedicated on November 16, 2002—Oklahoma’s 95th birthday. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the Capitol underwent a full restoration by 2022, preserving its legacy as “The People’s House” and a symbol of Oklahoma’s history and resilient spirit.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3.

The moon hung full and bright over the Iroquois village, bathing the snow-covered clearing in a silvery sheen. Karoni, a boy of ten winters, stood close to a crackling fire, its flickering light dancing across his face. His breath puffed out in small clouds as he admired the attire his grandparents had made for him. The flames snapped and popped, sending sparks spiraling upward to mingle with the stars.

 

Behind him, four huskies stood guard in the snow, their thick fur protecting them from the cold. Their eyes glinted like amber in the moonlight. They’d run with him through the forest earlier, their paws silent on the trail, chasing the scent of rabbit. Now, they rested, loyal shadows against the night.

 

Karoni poked the fire with a stick, watching the wood glow red, and thought of the stories his grandmother told—of the Sky Woman and the great wolves who guarded the earth. The huskies stirred, one letting out a low, throaty howl that echoed through the trees. Karoni smiled, feeling the spirit of his ancestors and the warmth of the fire, a boy tethered to both his people's past and the wild at his back.

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AI image created with Elon Musks GROK3.

The snow fell softly over Taos Pueblo, blanketing the ancient adobe homes in a pale white veil. Tsinawé, an elderly Pueblo man with deep lines etched into his weathered face, stood outside his family’s dwelling, With a blanket wrapped around him for warmth, his breath rising in small clouds in the cold mountain air.

 

The village was quiet, save for the faint crunch of snow beneath his moccasins as he shuffled toward the kiva. Winter had always been a sacred time here, a season of stories and stillness, when the world seemed to pause and listen. Tsinawé remembered the tales his grandfather told him by the fire—stories of Coyote and the first snow, and of the spirits who danced in the mountains. Now, at eighty winters, he carried those stories in his bones.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's GROK3. Character is fictional.

Under an endless Arizona sky, Taya, a young Hopi girl, knelt beside her grandmother’s mortar, a smooth stone basin worn by generations. The sun dipped low, casting golden light on the maize kernels she’d harvested from their mesa-top field.

 

With a rhythmic thud, she pressed the pestle down, grinding the corn into fine meal, her small hands steady from years of practice. Dust rose, mingling with the scent of pinyon on the breeze. “This feeds our people,” her grandmother had taught her. Taya hummed a song of rain and growth, her dark braids swaying.

 

A raven perched nearby, watching as if guarding the sacred task. By dusk, the mortar brimmed with meal—enough for tomorrow’s piki bread. Taya smiled, brushing sweat from her brow, feeling the earth’s heartbeat in her work, a quiet bond tying her to ancestors who’d ground maize before her.

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AI image created with Elon Musk's Grok3.

Protests took place in several major cities across the U.S. on Monday, 2/17/25, the Presidents Day holiday, according to activists.

 

These demonstrations are being organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for "50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement." The protests are a response to what organizers describe as "the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration." This marks the second nationwide protest by the group, following an event held on Feb. 5.

 

The protests follow a series of executive orders signed by President Trump, including actions led by billionaire Elon Musk, which have been criticized for their aims to diminish the role of the federal government.