Photo ABCs

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

A girl participates in the somber and spooky parade of calaveras in Xilitla, Mexico, illuminated only by candlelight.

Day of the Dead (Xantolo), Xilitla, Mexico

After the parade of calaveras in Xilitla, Mexico.

Day of the Dead: Xilitla, Mexico

Xilitla is a small town in the Sierra Gorda mountains of Mexico, in the state of San Luis Potosí.

They celebrate Day of the Dead, though they also call it Xantolo, which means, more or less, All Saints Day, in the local language.

There are two parades, one on the evening of October 31, which is a rather raucous affair, and another on November 1, which is a somber, spooky parade of calaveras (skeletons) performed in darkness, illuminated by candles.

Here is a calavera on horseback, before the parade of calaveras. (tap or click to enlarge)

Pine Siskin

A Pine Siskin, photographed in the San Pedro Martír National Park, Baja California, in August 2017.

Blue-footed Booby

A Blue-footed Booby, photographed near Puerto Peñasco in January, 2016.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

An Ash-throated Flycatcher, photographed near Cataviña, Baja California, in April 2017.

It was enjoyable presenting my slide-show Birding in Baja California to the San Diego Sierra Club Photo Club last Thursday evening. I will be presenting the same show this Tuesday at noon to the La Mesa Lions Club. The meeting takes place at the La mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa. The meeting is open to the public and includes a charge for lunch.

Hooded Oriole

A juvenile Hooded Oriole, photographed at Meling Ranch, in Baja California, in August of last year.

Join me tonight (Thursday, July 19) for my slide show titled "Birding in Baja California" at the San Diego Sierra Club Photography Club. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Wesley Palms, 2404 Loring St., San Diego, CA. The public (that means you!) is welcome, and the meeting is free of charge.

Turkey Vultures

I'm not sure I like how this Turkey Vulture is looking at me!

Photographed in Cataviña, a magical part of Baja California.

Join me for my slide show titled "Birding in Baja California" at the San Diego Sierra Club Photography Club meeting this Thursday evening. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Wesley Palms, 2404 Loring St., San Diego, CA. The public (that means you!) is welcome, and is free of charge.

Heermann's Gull

Juvenile Heermann's Gulls, photographed north of Camalú, Baja California, in August of last year.

Join me for my slide show titled "Birding in Baja California" at the San Diego Sierra Club Photography Club meeting this Thursday evening. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Wesley Palms, 2404 Loring St., San Diego, CA. The public is welcome, and is free of charge.