Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Fall

Autumn, Out and About, Around the Block. 09-27-2023

Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. Autumn! It’s time to get out and make trips around the block.

The phrase “around the block” refers to day-long road trips we frequently take. A journey that will ultimately bring us back to where we started, and perhaps, because of the sights we’ve seen, we have been reminded of the home that is within us, wherever we go.

This week a few pictures from past trips around the long block in Colorado and a reminder of the upcoming autumn colors that are gradually manifesting here in northern New Mexico. My October schedule for private workshops and tours is almost full. I have a few days still open if you are going to be in the area and want to sign up.

Autumn, road in Colorado
On the road in Colorado, 2012.

Aspen reflections in the car windshield
Aspen reflections in the car windshield Ohio Creek Pass, Colorado.

A pond in the high country near Grand Mesa, Colorado
A pond in the high country near Grand Mesa, Colorado.

Aspens in northern New Mexico
Aspens in Garcia Park, northern New Mexico.

Aspen leaf, NM
Aspen leaf, NM

Maybe I’ll see you out and about or going… “around the block”.

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G.

Sunflower, Standing Tall, Taos Valley Wetlands

Sunflower, all it’s sunny fires out but standing tall in the Taos Valley wetlands. I particularly like sunflowers in their decay as much as I do when they herald the beginning of August lining the highways and byways of northern New Mexico. Here, in this photo, they usher in the early throes of winter while maintaining a continuous golden glow. Snow on it’s way over the next few days. Stay warm where you are and thanks for looking. G

Sunflower, Standing Tall, Taos Wetlands.

Traffic Halt, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Traffic halt, on the Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. I’m going to stand here for a while (the animal didn’t move for ten minutes) until I’m good and ready to move on. Thanks for looking. G

Traffic halt, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Last Dollar Road, Ridgway, Telluride, Colorado

Last Dollar Road, between Ridgway and Telluride, Colorado. Heading down Last Dollar Road we just had to stop for this view. In 1989 I climbed Mount Sneffels, the peak on the far left of the image with my good friend Harry. When we got to the top I was exhausted. It was a little humiliating to see a father and his seven-year-old son sitting there fresh as the morning eating lunch and me huffing and puffing. 14,000+ feet will do that to you. We shared some stories with them while eating our lunches. On the way down I reinjured the meniscus in my right knee, or was it the left? Fortunately, we had ridden our bikes up to 12,000 feet and hidden them behind a large boulder. Riding down to our camp at 6,000 was a very nice and welcome cruise. Back to the present, on this day it was very pleasant to see the area in its fall finery. Thanks for indulging in my reminiscing and for looking. G

Last Dollar Road, Ridgeway, Colorado.

Evening Grosbeak, Crabapple Tree, San Cristobal, NM

Evening Grosbeak, in one of our crabapple trees, San Cristobal, NM. Besides colorful hillsides and mountains, fall brings an abundance of food and birds to eat it. This week the Evening Grosbeaks arrived in flocks to indulge themselves of the crabapples. Great individual shots picked out of the thirty or so birds camoflaged by the branches and leaves. Thanks for looking. G

Evening Grosbeak, Crabapple Tree, San Cristobal, NM

Bull Elk, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Bull Elk, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Fall has definitely arrived early this year. I’d lay odds these males are in rut already. Such a wonderful time of year, and hearing the elk’s soulful bugle echoing through the mountains and canyons makes fall even more magical. Thanks for looking. G

Bull Elk, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Winter’s Past, Saint Francis Church, Ranchos De Taos

Winter’s past, Saint Francis Church, Ranchos De Taos, NM. Not the dead of winter but the beginning winter, the way it looks when the moods of autumn shift into winter and back again. The adobe monolith, on the south end of the Ranchos valley stands steadfast in all seasons. Thanks for looking. G

Winter's past, Saint Francis Church, Ranchos De Taos, NM

Last Leaves Of Fall San Cristobal, NM

Last leaves of fall on the elm tree in San Cristobal, NM. Or perhaps I should title it “the last leaves to fall” off the elm tree. Either way, after yesterday’s blustering snow and wind, these are the only leaves left on the tree and not on the lawn. Thanks for looking. G

Last Leaves Of Fall San Cristobal, NM

Elk, Sunlight, Yellowstone, Wyoming

Elk, Sunlight, Yellowstone, Wyoming. Elk are spotlighted on the hillside by the last pocket of sunlight in Yellowstone, Wyoming. Flashback to my trip with my two young children in 2005. In Yellowstone it was so cold, although it doesn’t look like it from this image, we stayed in hotels and lodges. On the way home through Utah we camped for a few nights in Canyonlands. Here’s an expanded view from Canyonlands. Thanks for looking. G

Elk, Sunlight, Yellowstone, Wyoming

Sunflower Seed Pods, Late Fall, NM

Sunflower seed pods, late Fall, sustenance for the Finches and Pine Siskins showing up in large numbers right now in San Cristobal. I supplement the natural bird feed with wild bird seed in the feeders. Thanks for looking. As cold as it is getting at night, I hope you are enjoying Fall where you are. G

Sunflower Seed Pods, Late Fall, NM