They Call The Wind Maria

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Hot Springs, SD

Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire

The rain is TESS

the fire JOE

And they call the wind MARIA

Maria blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a’flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dyin'

Pronunciation of "Maria": The soft Spanish pronunciation is fine for some heroines, but our Maria here is too big for any man to embrace and much too boisterous. So put the accent on the second syllable, and pronounce it 'rye'.

"They Call the Wind Maria" is an American popular song with lyrics written by Alan J. Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe for their 1951 Broadway musical, Paint Your Wagon.

This year we have not seen TESS at all. The area is in severe drought conditions -- as is most of the US except for the east coast. The Cheyenne River is down to a trickle.

We have had a few bouts with JOE. Due to our drought conditions this summer, the Sanctuary along with other parts of the country are suffering through very dry conditions. With hot temperatures, occasional high wind and dry cell thunder storms we are receiving our share of lightening strike fires. Pictured is the Middle Canyon Fire at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, South Dakota on July 21, 2012.

MARIA makes her presence known frequently, usually in late afternoon or early evening. Often she gives us a blinding dust storm. How else could I take a picture of the wind. If I get a good one, I'll post it here.