Sunday, December 27, 2015

Finding Meaning

Cuba and his Mauser España on December 26, 2014.

Ferreting out the best or most memorable photographs from the thousands taken in any year is a daunting pursuit at best. But then curating a show of your own work is a fool’s errand, a little like being your own lawyer. Still that’s what’s required if you want to take a short look back.

Arguably the story of the year was the sheep herder Victor Hernandez, whom you know as Cuba, and his flock of wooly critters.

For all intents, the story began a year ago Saturday, December 26, 2014 when we chanced upon Cuba on the Taos Plateau. That moment launched me into a 2015 of following the sheep from pasture to pen, from shearing and lambing and back to the plateau and the mountains. The story had enriched my life greatly and has been, along with my series on the Japanese-American Internment Camps, the most commented on subject of the last several years.


The sheep story itself is represented by thousands of images. The three I’ve selected may not be the best of the lot but have the greatest emotional heft to me.

Bottle feeding a "penco" or orphan lamb.

Patron Andrew Abeyta and an orphan sheep during lambing on a raw March day in which 26 ewes died.


5 comments:

Terry Thompson said...

It was a good story from beginning to the current "end". I'm sure there will be more to come in 2016.

Thea said...

This has been an incredible journey. I have enjoyed every post.

Blacks Crossing said...

As Terry indicated, we know this is the "current" end of what is an ongoing story. I definitely look forward to seeing more of the story, and am enjoying the new images you present in your blog. We have worried about Cuba for the past four days, given the blizzard conditions. The sheep and even orphan lambs will be fine under his care but we hope he is able to soak in sunshine this morning. Thanks for taking on this story.

John Farnsworth said...

I would sure like to see both stories in book form!

Steve Immel said...

Thanks All.