Pink sky at night, sailors’ delight.
Pink sky in the morning, sailors take warning.
What about a weird sky at dusk?
Last night’s sky over Oaxaca was the talk of locals on Facebook. Rain came an hour later.
Archive for the ‘Weather’ Category
Weird sky at dusk
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged cloudy sky, dusk, eerie sky, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rain storms, rainbow, rainy season on September 15, 2021| Leave a Comment »
This is rain!
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, rain, rainy season, video on September 4, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Yesterday’s view from my front door…
A late afternoon deluge. This is the rainy season in Oaxaca!
Rainy season skies
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, clouds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, rainy season, terrace garden, terrace views, trees on August 25, 2021| 6 Comments »
With storms to the north and storms to the south, Oaxaca is stuck in the middle. And the rain keeps falling. Sometimes, the sun peeks through the clouds…
And, sometimes it doesn’t…
Sometimes it rains in the late afternoon, sometimes at night, and sometimes (like today) the rains come on and off throughout the day. ‘Tis the season.
Back in Oaxaca
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Basilica de la Soledad, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rainy season, sunset, Templo de San José on May 27, 2021| 7 Comments »
Alive, well, back in Oaxaca, and enjoying the views from Casita Colibrí.
I arrived three days ago and, unbeknownst to me (as it was supposed to go all the way through to Oaxaca) my checked bag was held up in customs at the Mexico City airport. I can’t imagine what the problem was. Perhaps 5 dry sticks of Sure deodorant? 4 pairs of gardening gloves (1 for me 3 for gifts)? 3 used books? Or, maybe the 15 used compost-able plastic bags I brought back to line my waste baskets? No explanation was forthcoming, but they did put my suitcase on the next flight that evening and delivered it to my apartment around 9 PM — nothing confiscated, no customs fee, and NOTHING missing!
From the evening I returned, I began sneezing, nose began running, and I developed a head-crushing sinus headache. Except for a quick trip to the pharmacy to buy an allergy medicine, I spent all Tuesday in bed. This has never happened before, but everyone is telling me that this season, this year is really bad for allergies. By Wednesday, I was feeling a little stuffy, but much better.
The rainy season was just beginning when I left six weeks ago and now, the hills are turning green, the garden is lush, and tonight, as the sun sets, thunder is rumbling, lightening is flashing in the distance, and a few raindrops have fallen. It’s good to be back!
Cactus down!
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged cactus, container garden, Euphorbia Trigona, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, terrace garden on March 27, 2021| 1 Comment »
It’s the time of year when late afternoon winds come up, landing patterns change to often bring planes very low over the city, and the occasional top heavy plant topples over.
Tuesday morning I came out on the terrace to find my Euphorbia Trigona down. Prone, though it was, neither it nor its beautiful old maceta (flowerpot) suffered any damage. Both are now safely cradled in a wrought iron plant stand.
January’s sunsets
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Churches, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, clouds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, silhouettes, sunset, Templo de San José, views, vistas on January 25, 2021| 13 Comments »
January sunsets in Oaxaca are spectacular. Looking west, behind Templo de San José, Basílica de la Soledad, and the mountain Monte Albán sits atop, they often have me dropping whatever I’m doing, dashing out the door and onto the terrace to gaze — before the magic disappears into darkness.
Occasionally, the camera is nearby.
Mourning the trees
Posted in Environment, Gardens, Parks & Plazas, People, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Alameda, Francisco Verástegui, Indian Laurel tree, Mexico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca Fértil, photos, popular travel destinations, standing water, trees, zócalo on September 18, 2020| 12 Comments »
This morning, Oaxaca began mourning the loss of two of the Zócalo’s iconic and beloved Indian laurels. In less than 48 hours, two of these massive trees, planted between 1875 and 1885, had fallen. Unfortunately, in their untimely demise, they join several other Indian laurels shading the Zócalo and Alameda that have crashed to the ground in the past ten years.
Yellow caution tape at the entrance to the Alameda
The concern is there will be more — thus, today these public spaces have been closed to the public with yellow caution tape and police barring the entrances.
Standing water at the base of an Indian laurel tree on the Alameda.
Ostensibly, the high winds and torrential rain Oaxaca is currently experiencing caused the trees to topple. However, our stormy weather these days is only the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Tending to the hole left by the Indian laurel that fell on Sept. 15, 2020 at the southwest corner of the Zócalo.
Several years ago, as we walked through the Zócalo and Alameda, I remember listening intently as the late artist and tree historian/savior Francisco Verástegui passionately described the indignities these trees had suffered, including disruption to their root systems when, in 2005, a governor attempted to remodel the Zócalo.
Status update at the northwest corner of the Zócalo.
Thankfully, a protest movement stopped that plan, but damage had already been done. What followed, among other things, was improper pruning, inadequate irrigation, faulty drainage, and the use of unsterilized mulch leading to the growth of fungus and causing the roots to rot — all of which contributed to the trees tumbling down.
Indian laurel that fell the evening of Sept. 17, 2020 on the southeast corner of the Zócalo.
And, it’s not only the trees in the Alameda and Zócalo. The director of the civil association Oaxaca Fértil estimates that 90% of the trees in the municipality of Oaxaca have been neglected, are diseased, and run the risk of collapsing. Let us hope that more of the historic trees that contribute to the beauty of Oaxaca can be saved and cared for in the way they deserve.
So close and yet…
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged cityscape, clouds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, rainbows on August 25, 2019| 2 Comments »
Late yesterday afternoon storm clouds gathered, thunder began rumbling in the distance, and rain began falling to the south.
The sky darkened to the east.
But all we got was this lovely rainbow.
80% chance of rain they said. But, alas this on again/off again rainy season continues to be mostly off.
Elephants above
Posted in Buildings, Casita Colibrí, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged decorative rain spouts, elephant drain pipes, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, rain storms, terracotta drain pipes, Tlacolula de Matamoros on April 10, 2019| Leave a Comment »
We have just had a hint at the rainy season to come. Monday night brought an hours-long torrential downpour with major flooding, trees and telephone lines down, and power outages. The electricity at Casita Colibrí stayed on and all plants in the garden remained upright and intact. However, my street turned into a raging river and water was cascading off the terrace like a waterfall.
Rooftop rain pipes/spouts in Tlacolula de Matamoros
This herd of elephants might have come in handy! Looking up at this scene, I couldn’t help remembering one of my children’s favorite books, “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” — and couldn’t help laughing.
Rain drops
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged bougainvillea, flowers, garden, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rain storms on March 23, 2019| 2 Comments »
After a few nights of a drop or two, we had an real rainstorm last night.
The sound of rain lulled me to sleep last night.
This morning I awoke to clear a clear sky and a glistening garden.
While no one believes this is the start of the rainy season, it is much welcome evidence that Cocijo hasn’t forsaken the valley of Oaxaca.
Teotitlán, when it rains it pours
Posted in Celebrations, Culture, People, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged dancers, Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rain, Teotitlán del Valle, traditions, Zapotec culture on October 10, 2018| 2 Comments »
Monday afternoon, in the middle of a fiesta at the home of Danza de la Pluma danzante Juan Pablo González Gutiérrez, a torrential downpour came to Teotitlán del Valle.
As I’ve mentioned, rain has been scarce this rainy season — a serious situation for a community that relies on subsistence farming.
So, despite the fact that the dirt road in front of the house became a muddy rushing river and festivities had to be put on hold for awhile as rain blew in through openings in the tented patio, this deluge was good news and people were smiling.
Everyone, including Juan Pablo, waited patiently for the life-giving rain to let up.
It eventually did and he was able to dance.
On a wet patio, surrounded by 100+ proud family members, fellow danzantes, and guests, he performed his solo dance.
Blogger buddy Chris and I felt so incredibly honored to have been invited. It was a truly memorable experience that we will treasure always. Muchisimas gracias to Juan and his family and all the members of the Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2016-18 for being so warm and welcoming to us over the past couple of years. We are going to miss you!
Sky of almost rain
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Basilica de la Soledad, clouds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, weather on August 26, 2018| 6 Comments »
Alas, the massive tormenta (thunderstorm) that hit the city two weeks ago was a one hit wonder, despite predictions of rain almost every day. This evening, yet again, clouds gathered but only a drop or two fell.
Looking south…
Looking southwest…
Looking southeast…
Guess it’s time for a mezcal offering to Cosijo. Hope you will join me!
At long last lluvia!!!
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged garden, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, popular travel destinations, rain, rainy season on August 10, 2018| 4 Comments »
It’s been a rainy season that “is not” more than “is.” However, tonight around 6:00 PM, I heard the unmistakable sound of rain and looked out the window.
This is incredibly good news for the mostly subsistence farmers in the valley of Oaxaca, as crops have been struggling and reservoirs are low.
The lack of rain has even impacted weavers who rely on plants, rather than chemicals, to dye their yarn.
We have also had a little hail along with continuing thunder and lightning.
Two hours and counting… Giving thanks to Cocijo (Zapotec god of rain, thunder, and lightning) and hoping this isn’t a one hit wonder.
Walking in the rain
Posted in Animals, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Calle Macedonio Alcalá, dogs, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, rain, rain storms, street scenes, street vendors on June 13, 2018| 7 Comments »
Cocijo (Zapotec god of rain, thunder, and lightning) has finally awoken!
Street dogs huddle in doorways.
Street vendors batten down their hatches.
Pedestrians watch for sidewalk waterfalls.
Streets become deserted.
Walking home in Oaxaca in the rain.
A garden endures
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged African Tulip trees, bougainvillea, flowers, garden, Night Blooming Cereus, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, plumbago, popular travel destinations on June 11, 2018| 8 Comments »
June in Oaxaca city, the mornings are grey.
Bougainvillea
The sun eventually appears.
Plumbago
Afternoon clouds gather and thunder rumbles in the distance.
African tulip tree
Then darkness descends.
Night blooming cereus
Alas, this June only a minimal amount of rain has fallen. But the garden endures.
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