Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Lenticular Clouds, Snow In Taos. 01-17-2024

Lenticular clouds, Taos, NM

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week lenticular clouds and a snowstorm in and over Taos.

Click on the images to expand.

Lenticular clouds, Taos, NM
Lenticular clouds, Taos, NM.

This is happening today in our neck of the woods. Lenticular clouds are my favorite cloud forms; this is the time of year when they occur more frequently. Check out this link for more info on these types of clouds.

Large lenticular clouds, Taos, NM
Large lenticular clouds, Taos, NM.

And the snow over the last weekend turned Taos and northern New Mexico into a winter wonderland.

taos winter 3714
Winter in Taos, NM.
Red willows, El Prado, Taos
Red Willows in El Prado, NM.

Short and sweet this week.

As always, thank you for looking. G

A Heart, Ute Mountain, Raptors And More. 01-10-2024

Heart tree, Costilla, NM

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week a tree with heart. You’ve got to love a heart wherever you find it, Ute Mountain, Raptors, and more.

We came across this tree a few years ago. Pami and I stopped here again on our first New Year drive of 2024.

I liked how the tree is isolated from the distant background, so I made another picture of it, always having to remove the two powerlines that cross directly over the tree. I think it is worth it. After all, the power company put them in my way!

Heart tree, Costilla, NM
A tree with a heart, Costilla, NM.

You might recognize this location with the road to Ute Mountain. It’s usually the last stop on the way home.

Ute Mountain road, NM
The road to Ute Mountain, NM.

The Red-tailed Hawk had no intention of leaving its perch, so we watched for a while. We moved on before it did. I enjoy watching them wherever they choose to sit. Powerpole sitting is natural to them. Any high vantage point suits them very well. I’ve often seen them drop in from a pole onto an unsuspecting vole or garter snake.

Red -tailed Hawk, Mesita Colorado
Red-tailed Hawk, Mesita, Colorado.

Two days ago I went for a drive in the clearing snowstorm and spotted a bald eagle perched on a dead cottonwood snag in Arroyo Seco, NM.

Bald Eagle, Arroyo Seco NM
Bald Eagle, Arroyo Seco NM.

Red barn, Colorado in black and white
Red barn in black and white, Colorado.

Sometimes a thing catches my eye and I have to run with it.

Baling wire Colorado
Baling wire for the fun of it, Colorado.

This snowplow was still making passes at the snow accumulations on monday around 11 am on our way to town. It was nice to wake up to a decent amount of snow for a change. Here in San Cristobal today temperature was -1º F (-18º C) at 7am. It finally warmed up to 27º F (-2.8º C) at 3pm.

Snow Plow, Highway 522 Taos, NM
Snow Plow, Highway 522 north of Taos, NM.

As always, thank you for looking. I hope you had a good week. Stay warm where you are. G

Snow, Eagle, Bandelier, Shadows, Roads. 01-03-2024

Snow making Angel Fire

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. Snow, or the lack of it. More will be coming, but for now, they are making lots of snow. I shot the image below at the Angel Fire Resort. The wind dispersed the manmade snow and made for a dramatic scene.

Snow making Angel Fire
Snowmaking at Angel Fire Resort.

Angel Fire is situated at the south end of the Moreno Valley. On the north end is the village of Eagle Nest. Aptly named for the number of eagles that frequent the valley, who fish and hunt around the Eagle Nest Lake.

On the same trip last week, we spotted a juvenile bald eagle sitting atop a powerline pole. This raptor was far away so not a very striking photo but besides taking stunning photos of birds I also like to document the siting and location.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno valley
Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno Valley, NM

As you know, I’ve been sitting around with my foot elevated, so I took time to re-edit a few photos. The following two images are taken in Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument here in northern New Mexico.

Alcove house Bandelier National Monument
Kiva at Alcove House, Bandelier National Monument, NM.
Alcove house Bandelier National Monument
Alcove House, Bandelier National Monument, NM.

Yesterday I visited with a friend for a coffee in Taos. Across the street, I had a view of a little chapel. As we drank our coffees I watched the shadow in the image below creep across the roof. I just had to take another shot of this little scene. The coffee and company were good and it was warm sitting in the sunshine.

El Prado chapel shadow
El Prado Chapel shadow.

Earlier I’d driven to Arroyo Seco, The colors looked very much like they do in this photo from a few years ago.

Highway 150 to Arroyo Seco, NM
Highway 150 to Arroyo Seco, NM.

Over the years I’ve archived images of places that have since been developed. Things change.

Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain meadow
Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain Meadow.

Onward into another year. So far it’s a beautiful beginning. As always, thanks for looking, and all the comments, and compliments. G

Wonderful Winter In The Neighborhood. 12-27-2023

Hoar frost, winter in northern New Mexico

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week winter in the neighborhood.

I’ll keep it short and sweet this week. I hope everyone got what they wanted. I didn’t want anything and got nothing, it made my day. I already have plenty. That said I am now the owner of two happy feet and have been able to drive a little. So, I drove around the neighborhood and got a few new shots to add to the archives.

Last Friday, I followed a fog bank that was building over the Rio Grande Gorge and came across this scene a little ways up the road in Cerro NM. There was just enough moisture in the fog and temperatures dropped to 26º F to cover the trees and willows in hoar frost that created this winter wonderland.

Hoar frost, winter in northern New Mexico
Hoar Frost, Cerro NM.

I was reminded of other years when the weather elements came together to create the following scenes.

Trees with in snow
Winter in Arroyo Seco, NM.

When I drove the “High Road to Taos” I felt like I was entering “Narnia”.

Winter on the High Road to Taos
On the High Road to Taos, NM.

Back to the present! This was the moon on the winter solstice last week. It stood out clearly against a beautiful blue sky revealing the detail of the craters.

Solstice moon from San Cristobal.
Solstice Moon.

The sunset on December 24, was fuzzy and warm. The outdoor temps were not!

Mountain sunset San Cristobal, NM.
Mountain Sunset San Cristobal, NM.

The view below embodied a feeling of warmth but it wasn’t. Temps dropped to 9º F last night. Of course, it was coldest before dawn so I slept in and missed the moon setting across the plateau.

December 25th Moonrise
December 25th Moonrise

As always, thank you for looking, Happy New Year, I hope it’s a good one. G

Crows, Trees, Meadows, And More. 12-20-2023

Crows and magpie, cottonwood tree, San Cristobal, NM

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Crows, trees, meadows, and more.

The crows that frequent our old cottonwood snag are fun to watch from the living room window and deck. I can observe from my chair out the window when they descend on the snags. I grab my camera and move to the deck. This image is a composite mostly of those going and those staying. I never tire of this view. The reason for their routines and nagging, comings and goings as they do, eludes me, but I keep watching. Observers of crows praise their intelligence. The Smithsonian says this.

Crows and magpie, cottonwood tree, San Cristobal, NM
Our cottonwood with Crows and Magpie, bottom right.

We watched these clouds develop on our drive home from Angel Fire in the Moreno Valley yesterday. They look like very localized lenticulars. The main cloud resembles a stingray or stealth bomber.

Unique cloud formations, Moreno Valley NM
Clouds, Moreno Valley, northern New Mexico.

Evening light in El Prado (the meadows) just north of Taos. Snow is predicted for this weekend. We shall see.

El Prado, the meadows, winter light
El Prado, the meadows, winter light.

When it snows the meadows look like this. El Prado has wide views across the meadows to the mountains.

Cattle in snow field El Prado, Taos, NM
Cattle in El Prado, Taos, NM.

Things change. I found this tree in the forest. Outlived by the surrounding trees its impact on me inspired me to make a picture. Then this poem by Hermann Hesse came to mind.

SOMETIMES

Sometimes, when a bird cries out,
Or the wind sweeps through a tree,
Or a dog howls in a far off farm,
I hold still and listen a long time.

My soul turns and goes back to the place
Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,
The bird and the blowing wind
Were like me, and were my brothers.

My soul turns into a tree,
And an animal, and a cloud bank.
Then changed and odd it comes home
And asks me questions. What should I reply?

~ Hermann Hesse

I listen and I make a picture.

Dead Pine tree
Pine in the woods.

As always thank you for looking, following, comments and compliments. Also thank you for all the well wihes. I’ll be back in a shoe next week. Happy holidays. G

Bighorn Sheep, Snow Geese And Tipis. 12-13-2023

Bighorn sheep on the canyon wall

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week Bighorn Sheep, Snow Geese, and Tipis. Something warm and cold for a cold and snowy winter’s day here in northern New Mexico.

Bighorn sheep in the warm light on the canyon wall
Bighorn sheep in the warm light on the canyon wall.

If you can’t find them in the above image, here’s a closer look.

Bighorn sheep on the canyon wall close up
Close-up of the cliff dwellers.
Ram in the snowy Rio Grande Gorge
A ram in the Rio Grande Gorge.
Ram in the warm sunlight
Ram in the warm sunlight on the Gorge Rim.

On to the Snow Geese in the Bosque del Apache where the days are often warmer on days where it is cold and snowing elsewhere.

Snow goose landing on a warm winter's day in the Bosque del Apache
Snow Goose landing on a warm winter’s day in the Bosque del Apache.
Snow goose
Snow Goose, incoming, Bosque del Apache, NWR, NM.

And their cousins the Canada Geese in flight traveling north along the river through the Rio Grande Gorge south of Taos, NM.

Canada Geese in the Rio Grande Gorge Taos
Canada Geese.

I found this picture of a tipi I shot in the winter of 2008. I’d forgotten how much I liked it.

Tipi in snow, Taos NM
Taos Tipi in snow.
Tipi tops
Hot and cold Tipi tops, Taos, NM.
Tipis and a New Mexico sunset.
Tipis and a warm New Mexico sunset.

Our neighbor’s tree was warm and cold outside the dining room window a moment ago.

Tree and foothills, San Cristobal, NM
Tree and foothills, San Cristobal, NM.

As always thanks for looking, your comments, compliments, and all the well wishes.
Stay warm where you are. G

San Luis, A Beautiful Sunday Drive, 12-06-2023

Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, San Luis Colorado

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Sunday Drive around the San Luis Valley.

Well, I’m able to walk upright and without a scooter or crutches now! I feel good about that.

It was a beautiful sunny day last Sunday, with snow on the peaks and intermittent cloud cover, so we drove north to San Luis in Colorado and made a leisurely drive home, visiting some of the usual locations, which I’m sure you will recognize.

The shrine of the stations of the cross is situated on a mesa above the town of San Luis, reputed to be the oldest town in Colorado. The sign, made out of white-washed rocks, says so!

In this shot, I liked the juxtaposition of the cell phone and communication towers. Perhaps a direct line to the universe?

Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, sunday drive to San Luis Colorado
Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, San Luis Colorado.

The next stop on our Sunday drive route was the old homestead, photographed by me a hundred times. One day I’m sure I’ll have the last photo of this building standing before its final demise.

San Luis valley homestead
San Luis Valley Homestead.

On the road a sign proclaiming “Jesus 2024” with what appears to be the faded colors of a Ukrainian flag. I didn’t know Jesus was running in the upcoming election. May the best man win.

Jesus is running 2024 Sunday drive San Luis CO
Jesus is running in 2024.

A seasonal creek running north-south through the lower valley. If you zoom in you can just make out the 14,000+ foot peaks of the Blanca massif.

Ice, San Luis valley, Colorado
Ice on a seasonal creek, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

The crows are back congregating every morning in our mostly dead cottonwood tree. I shot this image on Saturday. I’m happy to be up and fairly mobile and getting some fresh images again.

American crows, San Cristobal cottonwood tree
American Crows.

I do love a Sunday drive with no agenda attached.

As always thanks for looking and for all the well wishes. G.

Northern New Mexico, Moonrise – 11-29-2023.

A northern New Mexico moonrise

Greetings from San Cristobal, in the beautiful mountains of northern New Mexico. This week a few moonrise images from around the area.

Below is one of my favorite peaks in northern New Mexico, and the subject/location for photographing the full moon rise.

A northern New Mexico moonrise
Moonrise, Vallecito Peak, Northern New Mexico.

Horse and moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM.
Horse with moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM.

I haven’t been to the Bosque del Apache NWR in a few years, preferring instead to make the shorter drive to the Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado. I was pleased to see this image below, a reminder of the peace and tranquility experienced in the early hours at the Bosque del Apache.

Bosque del Apache moon and snow geese
Moonrise with Snow Geese, Bosque del Apache, NM.

Ladder to the moon, Toas
Ladder to the Moon, Taos, NM.

As always, thank you so much for all the comments, compliments, and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Have a great week. G

First Snow, Winter Flashbacks. 11-22-2023

First Snow San Cristobal

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and a Happy Thanksgiving. This week we had the first snow on our local peaks and in the valley.

Not too much snow. It’s a late start to winter where we are this year. I see from our weather forecast that temps will drop next week. It’s all good for me as I’m in a foot brace again on my right foot this time, and with my leg elevated, I still have a lovely view out the windows and from the deck.

This was the scene from the kitchen window this week after the clouds lifted, leaving a few stragglers behind to fill in the little valleys.

First Snow San Cristobal
First Snow, San Cristobal.

With my right leg elevated, I’m revisiting the archives again. Pretty much a repeat of last February, when my left leg was elevated. This time next year I look forward to hiking up and down the hills in the first photo.

Early snow, Taos
First snow, Taos, 2011.
Great Blue Heron and Mallards, Rio Grande, Pilar
Great Blue Heron and Mallards, Rio Grande, Pilar, NM.
Red-winged Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds, Arroyo Hondo, NM.
Horse, Ranchos de Taos
A horse taking shelter in Ranchos de Taos.
Vintage truck in the snow, Taos
Vintage truck in the snow, Overland Ranch, Taos.

Lastly, a picture I came across, edited on my iPhone, from last year.

Church window and adobes, Colorado
Church window and adobes, Colorado.

As always, thank you for looking. Happy Thanksgiving. G

A Golden Eagle. A Leaf. A cloud. 11-15-2023.

Golden Eagle in flight, southern Colorado.

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Golden Eagle in flight. A lone cottonwood leaf and an unusual cloud formation over the San Cristobal Valley.

Golden Eagle in flight, southern Colorado.
Golden Eagle in flight, southern Colorado.

There’s a little wetlands in Taos I often take a walk there. This cottonwood leaf, bigger than my hand, was asking to be photographed. I was happy to oblige.

Cottonwood Leaf and a sun star
Cottonwood leaf and a sun star

The cloud below screamed out for a picture. It first appeared much like any other lenticular cloud forming, but quickly grew a tail. Moments after, just like that, it became one with all the other particles.

Cloud formation, lenticular
Lenticular cloud formation.

I was sure it was going to become a Bottlenose Dolphin… almost!

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week and if I miss you next week, Happy Thanksgiving. G