Taken near the Rio Grande, the changing of leaf colors in the trees show how we all have changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Amid the pandemic, darkness has emerged as our country and state have had to deal with potential economic devastation, large scale loss of life, and the complete altercation of many of our lives. However, no matter how many obstacles stand in the way, light will always find a way through and prevail.

Taken near the Rio Grande, this path acts as a reminder that the journey through COVID-19 will have its ups and downs, its slight twist and turns, and will seem to continue forever, but we as a world, nation, state, and community will make it there. It serves as a reminder that despite the hardships along the path, beauty and goodness surround us everywhere and that the people, goodness, and everything that we currently have in our lives should not be overlooked, but rather appreciated. One important lesson from the pandemic is that nothing is a certainty and our lives can change within 24 hours, so being thankful for everything that one currently has is crucial.

Taken on the Rio Grande, the river acts as a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us every day. Even when it is dry and not in its best form, the Rio Grande shows us that even during the tough times, the goodness and beauty of Fall in New Mexico shines through with the vibrant greens, yellows, oranges, and reds.

Near the Rio Grande, this small stream cuts through shrubbery on both sides. The moon sits in the top right corner looking over the stream and the orange leaves on the trees along the Rio Grande can be seen on the left side of the photo, hidden behind some greenery. This represents that not all good and beautiful things are on the initial surface, especially during COVID-19. Sometimes it takes time and patience to find the goodness hidden below.

Taken at nighttime in the Bosque along a common trail, the night sky was illuminated by a beautiful crescent moon. Framed by the branches of a large tree, the crescent moon shines elegantly. However, one’s location on the path can determine if this view is visible, representing that we all have our own views and that to everyone, due to their position in life, their viewpoint can be completely different to ours, but each is beautiful in its own way.

Nestled in the middle of a public Golf Course on the westside full of the bright oranges and yellows of a New Mexican Autumn, this tree serves as a reminder that beauty can be found everywhere. A step outside your backyard, beauty can be found. However tough the situation, even when circumstances are not favorable, stress is at an all-time high, beauty can be found.

Almost anywhere in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Sandia Mountains can be seen. In our backyard, the beauty of the mountains tower among us, overlooking our city and reminding us of the beautiful scenery that we often overlook because we see it everyday.

Situated in isolation on a hill, this tree serves as a reminder that all of us, despite having to remain socially distanced and at times isolated, can continue to grow. The vibrant green of the grass, the slight blue-purple of the sky during early sunset reveal the true beauty here in New Mexico that we all can enjoy despite our isolation during the pandemic.

A beautiful early sunset in the foothills. Taken at an elevated location that overlooks the city, the light from the sun can be seen slightly glimmering on the buildings below. It serves as a reminder that one source, one person, can spread goodness and kindness to many.

Taken in the foothills as the evening comes to an end, the strong orange color of the sun filled the skies as it moved away from the clouds. The famous turquoise skies can be easily seen followed by a warm, soft orange. The thorns on the cactus glow the soft orange adding to the beauty of the foothills, which are only a small drive for many of us. Again, it shows how one source, one person can cause beauty and goodness to be reflected on others.

The same sunset in the foothills taken minutes later shows the vibrance of New Mexico sunsets. Framed by the dead branches of a small tree, the light from the sun glimmers on the houses below and fills the sky with beautiful shades of oranges, reds, and blues while bringing out shades of purples in the landscape below. A lot of the city can be seen in this photo because throughout this pandemic, we as a state, as a community, are not alone and must remember all of us are in this together.

The sunset captured the beauty of the cactus again. This time a different species of cactus, however just as beautiful as the thorns once again glow the soft, vibrant orange of the sun and the vibrant green continues to show the beauty in something that can be hurtful and bad.

The aftermath of the sunset from the foothills shows the soft shades of oranges, yellows, pinks, blues, and even greens of the landscape and sky. Again, the city is incorporated into the photo reminding us all that we are in this together.

As the night grew darker, the sky was filled with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The outline of a dead bush shows the beauty of everyday, normal objects and situations. However bland a dead bush may seem, when put in the right light, the right setting, and viewed in a different way, it is beautiful.

From the foothills, the vibrant oranges, yellows, and blues overlook the city with its multitude of colored lights. At different viewpoints, this beauty potentially can not be seen, however elevated above the city, the sunset and city changes drastically. The viewpoint brings out the beauty in our city and in our landscape, but the viewpoint must be found.

A look at the Sandia Mountains as the sky darkens. The light of Mars is seen very faintly near the top right-hand corner of the photograph. Something simple, such as the mountains that are seen by residents of New Mexico every day, are beautiful, but are commonly under-appreciated. During this pandemic, although many times it causes stress, anxiety, change of plans and dreams, and an uncertainty of the future, many things remain in all our lives that are simple, yet beautiful and often may be overlooked. We must remain appreciative and grateful for the things we do still have, although many times the things taken away by the pandemic seem to far surpass them, such as friends, family, education, and the beautiful city and state we live in.