Sandia Moon Triptych

Description

Sandia is Spanish for watermelon. The Sandia mountains in Albuquerque, NM at sunset often resemble a slice of watermelon, which is where the name originated with early Spanish conquistadors. This 7-section stitched panorama includes the autumn harvest moon as it is just rising. This view is looking east from Rio Rancho, which is northwest of Albuquerque. The opposite side of the mountains includes a ski area and picnic grounds in a tall pine forest on a more gradual slope than what is shown in this photograph. The crest of the mountain hosts a broadcast antenna array, restaurant and winter ski lodge, all accessed by a tram on the city-facing side and paved highway on the east side of the mountain. The 360 degree view from the crest of the mountain is spectacular.