Moving towards a close to the shooting portion of Project Insectae: Human | Nature.

This morning, I was fortunate enough to have access to a great old church to shoot some of the Moth funeral preparation scenes.

So grateful to my lovely moth and butterfly ladies, who graciously agreed to meet on this cold Sunday morning, even bringing an assistant (!) who was very helpful :)

I am seeing some light at the end of this project, at least for the principle shooting. It has been a fun project and has given me much inspiration over the past two years. I am looking forward to the editing, narration and music, all of which will come next. Revisiting all of the footage taken over the past 24 months is an exciting, if not daunting, task.

Onward!

The Marigold Parade celebrating Dia de los Muertos has become one of my favorite events here in Albuquerque.

This year, I dressed in a long green lacy dress with a black vest and long black gloves. I wore my maternal grandfather's rosary and my paternal grandfather's military dog tags, to honor them both. I like the idea of celebrating loved ones who are no longer living. rather than fearing death, embracing it as a part of life. I find it beautiful.

A couple of men wearing Mexican wrestling masks walked around with hand-lettered signs - one read: "So it's cool to be Mexican today? What happened to "Illegals ruining our country"?" The other: "Stop the Hate #changeyourheart #alllivesmatter Amor Mexicano". While I can understand their point of view, I feel, as a non-Mexican participant, that various cultures can enjoy and partake in holidays from other groups as a form of respect and appreciation. I painted my face with calavera makeup not as an insult, but in celebration. However, I also don't go around other days in my life speaking badly about other people, Mexican or otherwise. Considering the holidays that the U.S. has added to the mix (pretty much all encouraging over-consumption in one form or another), is it any wonder that Americans want to take part in the festivities of other cultures?

Armed with my camera, I stalked the crowd.