Slideshows

PHOTO STORY: Best Winter Study Spots on Campus

As the leaves keep falling off the trees, and each morning gets ever so slightly colder, winter slowly hits the University of New Mexico campus. Students begin to wear heavier clothes and begin to stay indoors more. Regardless of the temperature outside, this doesn’t stop the studying students have to do, begging the question: What are the best winter study spots on campus? Everyone has their own taste, but there are some spots that just cannot be beat. Zimmerman Library’s west-wing is great for anyone who wants to lock-in in silence while study spots near the Adobe Creative Commons for anyone wanting to study in groups. But there isn’t just Zimmerman, the Student Resource Center Apartments second level and Dane Smith has spots for a break during classes and George Pearl Hall has small classrooms available when not in use. Preston Rogers is a freelance reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Architectural Studio Life

With one week left in the semester, each day is more and more stressful. Piles of scrap cardboard and chipboard lay everywhere as University of New Mexico architecture students prepare for their final review. Although this is a time of stress and urgency, it’s a bonding experience for many.  From late nights working through problems with fellow classmates preparing for a final review, these relationships can be only obtained in architecture school at the School of Architecture and Planning. A strong studio culture has been built with students regardless of year, collaborating together whether in studio or down in the Fab Lab. The studio culture built in the architecture program at UNM is one of a kind. Preston Rogers is a freelance reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Built for learning: How architecture enhances the architecture school experience

Most buildings on campus are designed in a manner that best suits what is being taught there, and George Pearl Hall is an excellent example of this. Two of five floors are filled with studio spaces where students in their second year and up each have their own space, providing an environment that can be adapted to their needs.  Throughout the building its infrastructure is exposed, allowing students to measure steel beams and use the infrastructure as a guise for their work. The building’s “Crit Bridge” is a cradled bridge over the underground courtyard that serves as multifunctional space for holding events, student reviews and as exhibition space for student work. It’s not just these spaces, the entire structure is used as a reference for students as they continue to learn and develop their own projects. Preston Rogers is a freelance reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Fragile bosque ecosystem provides essential habitat for migratory birds

Starting in mid-November, the Rio Grande river has become the temporary home for thousands of migratory birds, including Sandhill cranes, and Canadian geese, according to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Migratory birds are attracted to flooded fields and wetlands with reliable food supply. The local Bosque ecosystem provides this habitat, with Albuquerque being within one of the four major bird migration corridors in the United States, according to the  National Fish and Wildlife Service.  These ideal conditions are increasingly less reliable as the Rio Grande river water becomes scarce from less snowpack, according to Source NM. Dry conditions were visible this year as ponds once filled to their banks and teeming with geese and herons last year were now cracking soil with mud puddles, and hikers could walk on soil that was once the river.  Dry bosque conditions limit habitat for birds, insects and other species that provide essential nutrition, causing some scientists to predict that if this trend continues migratory birds will avoid New Mexico entirely in decades to come, according to Source NM.  Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88

PHOTO STORY: UNM Crowns a Glizzy Champion

 It’s halftime at University Stadium, the University of New Mexico Lobos are down by four against the San Diego State University Aztecs, the score is 14-10. The crowd is going wild; it’s time for hot dogs. Six UNM students took to the field and were placed before several mountains of hot dogs. The clock started and they had to eat as many as possible in two minutes. Lobo Louie and Lobo Lucy cheered on the contestants, the crowd roared, the contestants consumed hot dogs at undeniable speeds. The buzzer sounded and the winner emerged. The Glizzy Champion was crowned and received a special Glizzy Champ football jersey. The stadium went wild, giving the Lobos the energy to push ahead in the second half and beat SDSU 23-17. It was the hotdogs; they won UNM the game. Liliana Esparza is the photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: The Structures That Shape UNM

The University of New Mexico’s Main Campus is well-known in the Albuquerque community for its stunning nature, but the architectural patterns of UNM’s buildings do not go unnoticed. Multiple buildings are designed in typical New Mexico Southwest style, with vigas, or wooden poles, that extend out from the structure and adobe walls, including Zimmerman Library and Scholes Hall.  Campus also features modern designs including square patterns and metal designs meant to cast shadows when hit at a certain angle by the sun. Buildings in development on campus also make for an interesting view, including The Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology on the south side of Johnson Field. The Alumni Memorial Chapel is one of the few to include hand-painted designs on its wooden door frames and fancier designs of vigas. Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Campus Wildlife Prepares For Winter

Even as winter slowly creeps onto campus, there is no lack of wildlife and beauty for students to catch as they walk to class or take a rest. Ducks have returned to the Duck Pond, now leisurely swimming on sunny days. The trees that have yet to lose their leaves that still glow bright yellow and red, while the rest have shed, covering the ground all over campus with leaves for crunching. A small helping of flowers continue to bloom near the Duck Pond, though most of the campus rose bushes have gone dormant ahead of the season’s first frost. Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: River Lights Illuminates BioPark

On Saturday, Nov. 29, the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens lit up in holiday color and cheer during the 2025 River of Lights opening day. The River of Lights is a 1.6 mile walk around the gardens where visitors can see over 700 hand welded light displays and enjoy baked goods, warm cider and cocoa. The River of Lights will continue to run every day until Dec. 30, excluding Dec. 24 and 25. Axel Smith is a freelance reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Tastes of New Mexico - Inside the Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

The 10th Great New Mexico Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival was in full swing on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Balloon Fiesta Park. The party was in full effect for a day of food truck fan favorites, made up of 30 of the area’s top food trucks.  Alongside the food truck recommendations, people were also able to enjoy some craft brews for the occasion and other beverages as well, such as boba to help enjoy the moment. There was live music being played for those in attendance, courtesy of a local band, Traveler in Pain. There was also a local artisan market to explore, with over 50 artisans joining the party selling a number of artifacts including jewelry, shirts, and a number of products to be used as gifts for the holidays. Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo

PHOTO STORY: Fall Arrives on Campus

PHOTO STORY: Dia De Los Muertos Celebration in Old Town

PHOTO STORY: Vigil for Gazan journalists held outside UNM’s C&J building

Mohammad Abu Hasira, Duaa Jabbour and Mohammad Jarghoun are three of over 200 journalists killed reporting on the Israel-Hamas war since Oct. 7, 2023.   On Wednesday, Oct. 15, University of New Mexico students, faculty and community members gathered outside the UNM Communications and Journalism Building to hold a vigil during which community members read the names of journalists killed reporting on the war. UNM graduate student of communications Sofie Hechet credited the journalists in Gaza for allowing “over 2 years of live streamed genocide” to reach international audiences.  “We have voices like Bisan (Owda) from Gaza reporting daily, without fail, on the truth of this war,” Hechet said. “We know, thanks to fearless reporting by journalists on the ground, what is actually going on, and we will continue to share these stories.”  Rebeca Jasso-Aguilar, who participated in reading the names of journalists, quoted the words of Anas al-Sharif, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in August 2025.   “​​’If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times. Yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is without distortion or falsification so that Allah may bear witness against those who stayed silent and accepted our killing,” Jasso-Aguilar said. “Do not forget Gaza and do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.’”  Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06 Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88

PHOTO STORY: Fall Frenzy Cleanup

PHOTO STORY: Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival

As summer comes to an end and autumn returns, the New Mexico Japanese-American Citizens League kicks off its annual Japanese Fall Festival: Aki Matsuri. For over 20 years, Aki Matsuri has brought a taste of Japanese culture to New Mexico. The festival took place at Expo New Mexico — home of the State Fair. From taiko drums and shamisen to karate and bon odori dancing, the stages of the Villa Hispana and Indian Village were filled with lively performances to entertain the crowd of guests. The outskirts of the stages were filled with various vendors, some of who sold different crafts and goods that they prepared themselves, while others reeled in customers with the scent of freshly made Japanese food. Although there were various backgrounds and cultures that showed face through the festival grounds, the atmosphere conveyed a strong sense of community and union. 

PHOTO STORY: Grandma's Coffee Garden Fall Equinox Market

PHOTO STORY: Color and Community at the Railyards

The Rail Yards Market, held at the Rail Yards in Downtown Albuquerque, has become one of the fastest-growing and most popular farmers markets in the City. Held on Sundays from May through October, shoppers can find fresh fruits and vegetables, chile, baked goods, teas, lemonades, art and much more. The market is divided into the railyard buildings based on item type, with farmers tables set up in the west building, art and clothing in the east building. During the autumn months, roasted green chile and red chile ristras begin to appear and are roasted on site. Apple cider can be bought by the cup up to the gallon. The market is also popular with dog owners, who will bring their pups, on leash, to enjoy sunny days. Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Josh Patterson at the Lapis Room

The Lapis Room, connected to the Noisy Water winery in Old Town, has been featuring artwork by local spray paint artist Joshua Patterson. The exhibit “Art and Justus: Dreamin’ in Color,” combines the styles of street art and fine art, as well as depicting imagery tied to Patterson’s Chicano heritage. The artwork reflects stories from Patterson’s life, told through a visual narrative with bright colors and neon lights. The figures “Art” and “Justus” — a combination of the words “justice” and “us” — are depicted throughout most parts of the piece, meant to represent both the artist and viewers as Patterson brings his stories to life.  Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

PHOTO STORY: Firefighters Honor Victims of 9/11

On Sept. 11, firefighters from across the metro area gathered in Civic Plaza for an annual memorial climb to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City. The firefighters climbed 110 flights of the  Washington Federal building downtown in full gear as a testament to the first responders who helped during the attacks, climbing flights of stairs in the World Trade Center to save people trying to escape.The event began with the playing of bagpipes as an American flag waved between two fire trucks, before the firefighters began their climb at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

PHOTO STORY: Life in Bloom at Lobo Gardens

The Lobo Gardens, which began in 2010 as an outdoor learning laboratory for the University of New Mexico, has now become a prime walk spot for individuals, friends, families, and animals alike. The project began with Seeds of Rebellion and the Research Learning Service Program but is now spearheaded by Community Engaged Learning Reasearch (CLER). Lobo Gardens serves UNM’s graduate, undergraduate, faculty, and staff, providing fresh produce for the Lobo Food Pantry. The Red Garden is located off the corner of Campus Blvd. and Vassar Dr. near UNM’s Real Estate Department. Hokona Hall Garden is located in Hokona’s western courtyard. The gardens feature a variety of plants, including a pollinator garden and food forest within the Red Garden.

PHOTO STORY: Old Man Gloom Goes Up in Flames

On Friday, Aug. 29, local New Mexicans and people from all over the world gathered in Santa Fe to witness the burning of Zozobra, a 50-foot-tall marionette that has been stuffed with all the gloom from the last year. This year is the 101st celebration of Zozobra, and he was adorned with a Steampunk-inspired overcoat and hat. His right hand was decorated with gears and bright gold for a mechanical finish. People from all over came together to move on from the previous year's woes that Zozobra consumes and gains his power from. Zozobra released his minions, the Gloomies, to fight the Fire Dancer, Zozobra’s archenemy. The Fire Dancer freed the souls of the Gloomies as she danced across the stage, prancing a tango with Zozobra before lighting him ablaze. The idea behind Zozobra is to eliminate the hatred, fear, and every ill feeling that has plagued our minds into one being that burns into ashes, allowing us to move forward. The burning of Old Man Gloom is a celebration for everyone to enjoy, with family-friendly entertainment, live music, local food trucks, face painting and coming together as a community to enjoy an evening of bliss for all. ⁨Eve Padilla-Salazar⁩ is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo