Greetings from New Mexico! This week, I’m focusing on the Milkweed plant. The images below were taken as part of an exhibit on various seeds. I photographed the plant across three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. This year, the plant is prolific in the neighborhood.
Milkweed Umbels.
The plant belongs to the genus Asclepias, a group of plants known for their unique properties and ecological importance, particularly for monarch butterflies.
Butterfly.
Plants are primarily perennial herbs, characterized by their milky latex-containing sap. They typically have complex flowers that are uniquely structured to facilitate pollination primarily by insects. The flowers are often clustered in umbels and can vary in color from pink and orange to green and white, depending on the species.
Monarch Butterfly.
Milkweed is famously known for its crucial role in the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed leaves, which contain toxic cardenolides. These compounds are sequestered by the caterpillars, providing them with a defense mechanism against predators even in their adult butterfly stage.
Seed pod opens.
Seed pod.
This particular pod birthed the whole seed group at once. I picked up the pod and it rolled out into my hand. I took it home. It stayed intact for me to photograph.
Seeds.
The silky floss of the milkweed seeds is buoyant and has been used historically for filling life jackets, as well as in insulation and textile manufacturing.
Seed pod opening.
Seed pod and floss.
Seeds in the breeze.
Seed.
Given its importance to the monarch butterfly, many conservation efforts focus on preserving and expanding milkweed habitats. Gardeners and conservationists often encourage planting native species of milkweed to aid in these efforts.
This one resembles my hair first thing in the morning.
Greetings from New Mexico! This week, I’m revisiting the topic of llama trekking in New Mexico. Approximately twelve years ago, and again five years ago, I was assigned by AAA to cover stories on llama trekking adventures in the state. The first assignment led me, along with a guide and clients, up the Columbine Trail. This trail winds through the mountains, surrounded by wildflowers and lush meadows of tall grass. The second story took us on a different journey down a steep canyon trail into the Rio Grande Gorge. There, we enjoyed a leisurely day that included a long lunch, lounging and relaxing in chairs, with time spent exploring the local flora, fauna, and ancient petroglyphs.
Some of the petroglyphs seen on the Rio Grande trip, mule deer and bighorn sheep.
Petroglyphs, Rio Grande Gorge.
Stay tuned for more on upcoming llama adventures.
A few nights ago, the moon was bright and, in some parts of the world, it occulted, passed in front of Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.
In my region, what I observed was still fascinating, although I needed to take two separate photographs: one of the moon and another of the star Antares, which is named because it rivals the color of the planet Mars. However, Mars is no match for Antares in size; Antares is significantly larger.
Moon and Antares, from the deck, San Cristobal, NM.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, the neighborhood is bursting with wildflowers. I took an early morning hike with the dogs today. It was still quite cool, and the signs of incoming weather prompted us to keep it short, a 4.5-mile round trip on the Columbine Canyon Trail. The wildflowers are in full bloom and looking beautiful, although the dogs seemed a bit impatient, frequently giving me looks that seemed to ask, “Are we stopping again?” We turned around and started heading back down the trail, chatting and interacting with other hikers along the way. Although it’s mostly uphill and the climb is moderate, the descent is much quicker. I need to train the dogs to slow me down on the way down; their pulling was very helpful on the way up!
Columbine along the creek.
Columbine, Fireweed and other plants.
Mexican Hat flowers everywhere, especially along highways and meadows at 10,000 ft.
Indian Paintbrush in the Valle Vidal, Valley of Life.
I think this hummingbird is in amongst Rocky Mountain Penstemon growing wild in the Moreno Valley, NM.
Hummingbird in the Moreno Valley, NM
My friend David Marks on the trail a few years ago in Taos Ski Valley. Check out his website for some superb wildlife and his journey in phoytography.
Photographing wildflowers in the creek at Taos Ski Valley.
Next month the sunflowers wildflowers of the valley will be showing up along the roadsides. I hope I get to see them this year before the road crews mow them down.
Here’s the print of the week, I call it Sunflower Shower.
Sunflower Shower.
As always, thanks for looking. I think my comments section is working again. So if you’re inclined to comment, I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, I’m excited to showcase landscapes and more in current and upcoming publications. Don’t miss my print of the week feature, highlighting a captivating image for your collection. I also had the honor of participating in a podcast Q&A on Landscape Photography with esteemed experts Bill Shapiro and Dr. Grant Scott, offering valuable insights and inspiration.
This week, my work appears in the current edition of Enchanted Outpost magazine. You may remember when I was the featured artist in their premier edition.
Thanks to all at Enchanted Outpost.
Blanca Peak, a favorite of Colorado Landscapes.
Ghost Ranch, NM.
The Taos News, our esteemed and multi-award-winning small-town newspaper, has featured the following three images in its summer guide.
Road to Ute Mountain.
Shooting stars, wildflowers in Taos Ski Valley.
A ladder at the Picuris Pueblo Church restoration.
And in the upcoming New Mexico Treasures 2026 desktop calendar, the following four images are featured. The calendar is due out in July and sells out quickly.
Rainbow, Columbine Hondo Wilderness from San Cristobal, NM.
Crescent Moon and Venus over the San Cristobal Chapel.
Lastly, the print of the week, El Prado Cottonwood Light, is one of my favorite landscapes.
El Prado Cottonwoods.
As always, thank you for looking. I’m honored and grateful for every opportunity to share my work that shines a light on this place I call home. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM This week, saying less is more, more or less.
The old saying “less is more” came to mind when I spotted this van at the trailhead covered in stickers. It was so overwhelming, I certainly didn’t take the time to read more than a few of them. To each their own.
And below, a magpie nest that had fallen from a juniper tree on our property. Its exposed structure reveals the intricate work and craftsmanship involved in building a home for a young magpie family—a perfect example, I think, of using only what’s essential.
Magpie nest, inside out, with the roof blown off.
As a side note, I left the nest untouched for a year, in case the magpies wanted to reuse the twigs for their next brood. They did return, but built a new nest from scratch, so I repurposed the old twigs to create the Dancing Magpie Ladder series in this featured post.
As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Less Is More
“Less is more” is more than just a design principle—it’s a philosophy, a mindset, and often, a path to clarity. Coined by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the phrase suggests that simplicity and restraint can lead to greater impact, beauty, and meaning.
In a world saturated with noise, distractions, and excess, the idea of less invites us to strip away what is unnecessary. Whether in art, architecture, writing, photography, or everyday life, reducing clutter, both physical and mental, can reveal the essence of what truly matters.
Minimalism doesn’t mean emptiness; it shows intentionality. It’s the white space in a painting that gives form to the figure, the pause in a piece of music that deepens emotion, or the lone word on a page that hits harder than a paragraph. In photography, for example, a single subject placed in a wide, empty frame can tell a more powerful story than a busy scene ever could.
“Less is more” is a reminder to trust simplicity: to allow space for interpretation, for breath, for depth; to do less, but do it better; to own less, but feel more; to speak less, but say what truly counts.
In the end, less is not a loss. It’s a refinement, a distillation of what’s essential. And often, it’s where we find the most beauty.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, minimalist abstract art in a square format.
In June 2024, I said there might be another post of random abstraction, and as I have so many of this type of image, mostly shot on an iPhone, here goes.
Click on an image to expand and click off it to go back. Enjoy!
I wrote some sentences and put them as prompts into Grammarly and ChatGPT. This is what they came up with, modified further by me. Let me know your thoughts.
The Allure of Minimalist Abstract Art in Square Format
In a world saturated with noise and complexity, minimalist abstract art offers a visual breath of fresh air—clean lines, subtle textures, and intentional simplicity. When paired with the symmetry of a square format, this genre takes on a uniquely balanced and meditative quality that resonates deeply in modern spaces.
Why Square? The square canvas provides perfect equilibrium. Unlike rectangles, which inherently suggest direction, the square is neutral—neither vertical nor horizontal. This neutrality invites the viewer to experience the artwork without predetermined movement, making it an ideal playground for minimalist expression.
Less is Powerful Minimalist abstract art thrives on reduction. It strips away the nonessential, leaving only what truly matters: form, color, space, and emotion. A single brushstroke, a subtle shift in tone, or a geometric repetition can evoke calm, curiosity, or contemplation.
Harmony in Design Whether hanging solo or as part of a grid, square-format minimalist pieces create rhythm and order. Their visual harmony complements contemporary interiors, bringing structure to eclectic rooms or serenity to stark spaces. They don’t shout—they whisper, and in that quietness, they speak volumes.
Final Thoughts Minimalist abstract art in a square format isn’t about what you see—it’s about what you feel. It’s not minimal for the sake of aesthetics but to create space: for thought, stillness, and connection. In its quiet, it offers a rare and refreshing clarity.
Explore the balance. Embrace the square. Let less say more.
As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week’s images depict the nature of March. The wind-swept madness of March came in like a lamb, and never mind the analogy of a lion, it morphed into a rhinoceros in an English tearoom. Haboob-like dust storms occurred earlier in the month, and again yesterday, they delayed flights and closed interstates with winds fanning the flames of wildfires.
The pictures of the Lunar Eclipse I’d planned to post this week didn’t occur due to the crazy March weather here. Thick clouds, freezing rain, and snow made sure of that.
That said, here are some images of the gentler side of March.
Spring Weather, Taos, NMChama River Road, NMArroyo Hondo, NMBighorn Sheep, NMBighorn Sheep, NMBighorn Sheep, NMCoyote, Rio Pueblo, NMGreat Sand Dunes NP, COGreat Sand Dunes NP, COEnchanted Circle Drive, NMGhost Ranch, NMGhost Ranch, NMGreat Sand Dunes NP, COMonument Valley March, 2022Monte Vista NWR, CO.Moonrise, Vallecito Peak.Latir Peaks SunsetTaos Mountain Storm.Raven, CORed Barn, snow San Luis Valley, CORio Chama Abiquiu, NMRio Grande near San Luis, CORoadside Puddle ReflectionsSandhill Cranes, Monte Vista, COSandhill Cranes, Monte VistaSangre de Cristos MoonriseSan Luis ValleyShiprock, NMSpider Rock, Canyon de Chelly, AZSun Star, Chaco Canyon, NMSunset Clouds, San Cristobal, NMPueblo Peak, Taos MountainTaos Mountain Clouds,Last Years Cornfield, Taos, NMUte Mountain, NMAspens, Tres Ritos, NMZapata Falls Ice Cave, CO
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a glimpse of the upcoming Lunar Eclipse. “The Moon will pass into Earth’s shadow and appear to turn red on the night of March 13 or early in the morning on March 14, depending on the time zone. Here’s what you need to know about the total lunar eclipse.” NASA
I’ve seen all of the lunar eclipses since the first one I photographed in 2008 from the old gas station in Tres Piedras. That picture wound up on the BBC worldwide as it wasn’t visible from many locations or because of cloud cover. A couple of others I have gone out to photograph have been stymied by cloud cover. Below is one lunar eclipse on a crystal clear evening I shot in January 2019.
Lunar eclipse from San Cristobal, January 2019
And closer in. I love how the stars are visible all around.
