Pictographs

New Mexico Astroimaging Trip - Casitas de Gila, New Mexico

May 6-9, 2005
 
 
The Summer Milky Way rises over the Casitas
The Summer Milky Way
Casitas de Gila, New Mexico
 

May 6th - May 9th

Below you will find numerous photographs taken during our trip to a group of wonderful southwestern adobe guesthouses located outside of Silver City called Casitas de Gila.

Casitas de Gila is located about 30 miles NW of Silver City at the base of the rugged Mogollon and Pinos Altos mountains at an elevation of around 4800ft. The five individual casitas are surrounded by a high desert environment of pinyon pine and cactus and have some of the darkest skies I've ever experienced... mag 7.3+! The Guesthouses are owned by Mike and Becky O'Connor who were very gracious and wonderful hosts! Thank you Becky & Mike!

For our visit we met up with several friends including Jim & Karen Janusz from Palm Desert, California, Richard & Sharron Payne from Phoenix, Arizona, Scott & Alisa Hammonds from Atlanta, Georgia and Vince Bert and his girlfriend Mary from Solana Beach, California. All the photos on this page were taken with a Canon EOS 20D digital SLR with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens.
 

Jen poses among a forest of covered telescopes on Friday afternoon

 
Jim and Richard with two refractors & a schmidt camera

 
Desert Sunset Light

 
High Desert Landscape

 
Blooming Cactus

 
Golden Poppy

 
Jen & Karen in Silver City

 
Local Silver City artist

 
All dressed up for Cinco de Mayo week in Silver City!

 
To the office..........

 
Our Casita

 
Our Casita w/mountain

 
Casitas with covered telescopes

 
Karen hiking near the casitas

 
Chris & Jen (nice shot Karen!)

 
Vince and Mary relaxing in the sun!

 
Nellie the dog

 
Clear desert skies, a few Corona's and your woman....nothing better!

 
Vince setting up his 20" f/4.5 truss dob

 
Jim with his three women... :-)

 
The guys pose next to the Astro-Physics 7" f/7 EDF
L to R: Scott, Chris, Jim, Richard & Vince

 
The Whole Casita Gang
L to R: Alisa, Scott, Chris, Jen, Vince, Karen, Mary, Jim, Sharron & Richard

NOTE: Astrophotos taken during a wonderfully clear three nights will be posted shortly! Stay tuned....


All text and photos are © Copyright Chris Cook


Return to COOKPHOTO.COM

© Chris Cook 2005