ZUNI Dragonfly

The Visitor Center at Mesa Verde National Park has several pieces of Dragonfly jewelry on display.  I am drawn to the symbol of the Dragonfly, so I had to do some research on Zuni Dragonfly.

 Silver pieces on display 

at the Far View Visitors Center

To the Navajo and Pueblo Indians

the double crosses represent dragonflies

with egg sacks at the end of their tails.

Ask Zunis about Dragonfly and they will tell you that Dragonfly is the messenger who carries prayers to the Spirit World.


The double-winged form of Dragonfly is sometimes referred to as the "Pueblo Cross".

Dragonfly is recognized as a sign of water,
 which is where this remarkable creature lays its eggs.

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Where there is Dragonfly,

there is water.

Where there is water,

there is life.
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modern jewelry design

"The Boy Who Made Dragonfly" is a Zuni myth, recorded a century ago by Frank Hamilton Cushing.   from the Myth:

“I will paint your form on sacred things to symbolize spring and the spring rains that bring health to my people.  Your companion I will paint as a symbol of summer and the summer rains.”

Even today, the black, white, and red dragonfly arrives in the summer with the blooming of the corn.  He is followed by his companion, the green dragonfly.  Together they arrive with the rains, harbingers of life and good health for the spring and summer.

Dragonflies: connection to the afterworld, purveyor of dreams.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Sunday

March 11, 2012

After visiting downtown Roswell, I had a choice of going to the Art Museum or driving out to visit the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

I decided to head out to the refuge.  It is 7 miles east of town on a "paved" bumpy road. I was glad I made the decision to visit the refuge. The refuge has "one of the most diverse dragonfly communities on earth". July and August has the peak Dragonfly population and I would like to come back and visit during that time. You can check out www.friendsofbitterlake.com for information on the Annual Dragonfly Festival.

"Like an oasis in the desert, Bitter Lake NWR is one of the most significant wetlands of the Pecos River watershed. Set between the Chihuahuan Desert and short-grass prairies of the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake NWR plays an important role in providing wintering habitat for thousands of lesser sandhill cranes, Ross's geese, and other waterfowl species."

"Bitter Lake NWR acquired it's name from the largest natural body of water on the 24,536 acre refuge.  In the late 1800's ranchers likely named this lake because of the distasteful alkaline waters. High in mineral salts, this natural lake can often exceed twice the salinity level of seawater."

At the end of the road, as I entered the refuge, I immediately felt the calm, peaceful and quiet environment.
I wanted to camp here, but camping is not allowed.  I walked along some of the trails and sat for a long time on the covered shaded porch of the Visitors Center, which is closed on Sunday.

I did not drive out along the 8 mile gravel road.  It was a bumpy road just to get to the refuge and I did not feel like bumping along the gravel road in the motor home. If it had been earlier in the day, I probably would have walked a part of this road.  The first viewing station along the road was only a mile from the start of the auto tour. There is also a 2 mile bike path, but it was very warm and sunny in the middle of the afternoon and I was feeling too lazy to be out in the sun and relaxed in the shade of the porch.

I did not have a reservation for a campground in Roswell and could not stay at the Refuge for too long. I needed to get back to town and decide where I was going to stay for the night.  I drove through a few of the parks in town and was not thrilled with any of the parks.

I found a place to stay that was just as scenic as the refuge.

To be continued.......

Creatures of the Wind

I received some "Dragonfly" gifts before I left home
A necklace and also some earrings.


Thank you to my family and friends
 for the farewell lunches and dinners
and the gifts and flowers.




*    *    *    *    *
As a creature of the wind, the Dragonfly represents change. 


The dragonfly reminds us that each day is a new beginning.

Dragonflies are also creatures of the water,

symbolism relative to the subconscious or "dreaming" mind.

Dragonflies ask that we pay attention to
 our deeper thoughts and desires.

Our deeper thoughts are surfacing and we must be mindful of the outcome we wish to have.

This exercise is useful when we want to
 "visualize positive outcomes".

Live life to the fullest - a dragonfly lives a short life.

Dragonfly's magic shows us to see through life's illusions and to find our true vision.

Dragonfly

Header photo shot at Hidden Lakes RV in Jacksboro, Texas

Advice from a Dragonfly:

Spend time near the water

Be colorful

Enjoy a good reed

Zoom in on your dreams

Appreciate long summer days

Keep your eyes open

Just Wing It!

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Borrowed this saying from a catalog:

www.yourtruenature.com

Advice from nature 

www.esmtees.com