Greetings from San Cristobal. Happy Thanksgiving. I’ll start with a repost of these turkeys wandering in the old sunflowers at the Bosque del Apache NWR a couple of years ago. Seems appropriate for this week.
Back in the Bosque del Apache for the evening ‘fly in’. It is a great opportunity to capture silhouettes against the warm light of the setting sunset.
Evening fly in, Sandhill Cranes, Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico.
At home in San Cristobal is the old cottonwood tree where the ravens and magpies congregate. On this evening there is only one of each. Often times there’s a milieu and fights over branches. I like to think these two get along or perhaps the space between them is the adjudicator.
Raven and Magpie in the old cottonwood, San Cristobal, NM.
As always thanks for looking. Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your turkeys. G
Well, we did make it to the Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado last week, a couple of hours drive each way from home. There were plenty of Sandhill Cranes, not as many as there will be next week and the week after. My only complaint (not really a complaint) the cranes were quite far away from the accessible areas. I got this first image as they flew overhead from one marsh to another. I thank them for that! Hearing the primordial sounds the cranes make made the trip worthwhile.
Sandhill Cranes, Monte Vista NWR
Driving north from home we ran into these two creatures having a chat along the roadside. I should clarify, the raven was doing all the yacking. The eagle had nothing to say and was unperturbed by the raven or our presence. Incidentally, this is a very large raven.
Bald Eagle and a Raven on the wire in the San Luis Valley.
It’s difficult to pass by this location on the drive to the grocery store. I whipped past this time but decided to turn around and make yet another image, (I have a lot of pictures from this location). One thing, certainly not the only thing about photography, it gets me outdoors and into nature. As cold and windy as it was, any time I am out in the environment it is a good thing.
Red Willows and Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo, NM
Below is another favorite location, the “welcome tree” greeting visitors as they crest the hill rising from the Rio Grande Gorge. The tree accompanies the massive vista of the Gorge extending as far as the eye can see, that would be Colorado. I first saw this tree when I arrived in New Mexico in 1984. The tree, sadly, is on its last legs. I keep making images when I pass and I reckon I’ll be making images until it’s gone, that’s my way of honoring its presence after all these years.
The Taos “Welcome Tree” at the gorge overlook.
Last week this crescent moon made an appearance the day after the new moon, (no moon). It was 1-2% and difficult to spot. I found it by looking through the lens in the general direction suggested by my TPE app on the phone. The clouds gave way just enough at the right time.
Waxing crescent moon setting, taken from our front steps in San Cristobal.
As always, thank you for looking. I really appreciate all the wonderful comments and compliments. Have a great week. I’m planning on it. G
Raven flight with Three Peaks, also known as Tres Orejas, and the sunset. I was waiting for the crescent moon when a couple of ravens flew by. I got the second one nicely placed. Thanks for looking. G
Ravens on the Enchanted Circle, a scenic byway drive in northern New Mexico. This picture doesn’t do their size justice. They were very large and posed for a few images before taking off. Thanks for looking. G
Raven, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The Ravens are a constant in Chaco, Canyon and can be seen soaring over cliffs and coursing along the rocky outcroppings, ruins and ancient structures. They can also be found robbing camp sites, dumpster diving and chipping holes in plastic water containers when arroyos dry up. They are smart creatures. Thanks for looking. G
Raven sitting on a fence post in a sun shower enjoying the last rays of light at sunset. Another raven was on a nearby post, with a lot to say as ravens often do. This bird didn’t answer or do much of anything. I like to think perhaps, it was actually enjoying the moment. Thanks for looking. G
Little White House in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Could be the plains, looks like the plains but alas is in one of the most fertile valleys where potatoes are the mainstay crop. The San Luis Valley, Colorado.
What struck me the most about this scene was the walk way leading to the front door. One recurring observation I have, regarding a lot of the abandoned towns and buildings in this area, is how thriving things must have been in the day when folks occupied every last dwelling. And another thought … Approaching this home … I wondered who resided here and how many people had walked up this path to the front door, long before me, and were greeted openly by the occupants.
This day we were greeted by a family of ravens who inhabited an abandoned outbuilding nearby. The new guardians served up a bombardment of unwelcome squawks and screeches, no doubt their way of letting us know visitors were not wanted. Things change. Thanks for looking. G
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