Tag: Valle Vidal

Photography Workshop Highlights, 09-14-22

Geraint September 14, 2022 20 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week features a few images that highlight what we saw during a three-day photography workshop, this time with Scott a talented photographer from Houston. His enthusiasm inspired me. I think I inspired him.

Our last day was spent in the mountains. If you follow me or have taken a photography workshop with me you might recall this place, Comanche Point in the Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life). It’s looking a lot like fall up there. It won’t be long till the aspens turn color. In fact, it’s already begun.

We spent a couple of hours at our first stop in Ojo Caliente, working at this location and looking for an interesting composition. This is what I came up with on this trip. I look forward to seeing Scott’s interpretation. Here’s one from a visit last year.

Santa Cruz church, Ojo Caliente, NM — Church of Santa Cruz, Ojo Caliente, NM

The Rio Grande Gorge is home to many bighorn sheep. Every now and again a ram will pop up when you least expect it, and strike up a pose where you would want it. In this case up high against a blue New Mexico sky.

Bighorn Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, NM — Bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Close up Bighorn sheep Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, on a photography workshop in northern New Mexico. — Close up of bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Restoration, repairing, and mudding are underway at the San José de Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos. The doorway arch has been replicated to an early look. The big doors were closed for weather sealing which allowed me to shoot a new angle. Usually, the doors are staked open which often provides a nice framing element.

At first glance, the scaffolding looked interesting and I had an idea to make a documentary image. Then the sun came out from behind a cloud and added shadows to the scene. Fortuitous.

Restoration at the Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Restoration mudding at San José de las Trampas, NM

The partially closed doors created a different look at one of the belfries.

Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Through the big doors at the Las Trampas Church.

Closing this week’s post is the harvest moon, shot from the deck as it rose over our mountains.

Harvest Moon rise, San Cristobal, NM — Harvest Moon rising, San Cristobal, NM

As always, thanks for looking. G

American Kestrel, Dragonflies, Color in Madrid and La Cueva, Wild Iris in the Valle Vidal

Geraint June 23, 2021 9 Comments

An American Kestrel juxtaposed with a sign in a drive-by shooting!

It’s the “Summer of Love” in the world of dragonflies (I think they are dragonflies) at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal, NM. There were thousands of them cavorting with one thing on their minds! Addendum, thanks to my friend Larry, these are Damselflies. There were dragonflies too!

Some color on a porch deck in Madrid, NM

Colors in Madrid NM — A splash of color in Madrid, NM

The church of San Rafael in La Cueva with blue sky and the coral tones of Negrita (Desert Globe-mallow).

San Rafael, La Cueva — The church of San Rafael in La Cueva, NM

Last but not least, if you’ll indulge me one more time, wild iris and mountain Golden Pea in a meadow in the Valle Vidal.

Wild Iris, Valle Vidal — Wild iris and mountain Golden Pea in a meadow in the Valle Vidal, NM

As always, thank you for looking. G

Waterfall, Taos Ski Valley, Valle Vidal, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Geraint June 9, 2021 26 Comments

First time in these mountains since last year. The air is cool, refreshing and the light at this elevation, (10,000 feet) is pristine. This waterfall is just a few hundred yards from the parking area and a short uphill hike. In about two to three weeks the Columbine and other wildflowers should be gracing these slopes. If you get a chance to go here, you won’t be disappointed. Or join me on a photo trek and I’ll take you here.

Waterfall, Taos Ski Valley — Waterfall on the Williams Lake Trail in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

The next four images are from the Valle Vidal. It was 84ºF in San Luis Valley and 45ºF in the mountains. We were surrounded by hail, sleet, and rain and these exquisite, Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting about everywhere.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in the Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life), New Mexico.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in the Valle Vidal, New Mexico — Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal, New Mexico.

As always, thanks for looking and all your comments and compliments. G

White-faced Ibis, White Recliner, Ranch Cowboys, Muskrat Video.

Geraint May 12, 2021 4 Comments

It’s been a fun three weeks of photo tours and workshops. I get a break next week and head out again shortly after. Thanks to all those who have joined me. I have dates open through the rest of the year and beyond if you are interested in a one-on-one photography experience.

White Recliner Carson National Forest, NM

Ranch gate cowboys — Ranch gate cowboy cutouts with setting moon, Taos NM.

I shot this short video of one of the few Muskrats we watched in the Valle Vidal (Valley of Life) last summer. Looking forward to getting back to the high country this summer on extended photography trips and some relaxation.

Thanks for looking. Keep staying well and healthy. Geraint

Song Sparrow, Sangre De Cristo Mountains

Geraint July 7, 2020 8 Comments

Song Sparrow along Comanche Creek (yesterday’s photo) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Singing it loud and clear. He certainly got my attention, his song echoing off the canyon walls and hills, accompanied by the babbling brook. Thanks for looking. G

Comanche Creek, Valley Of Life, New Mexico

Geraint July 6, 2020 2 Comments

Comanche Creek in the Valle Vidal, Valley Of Life, New Mexico. Peaceful locations in the high country of our most beautiful state and I’m told, also some of the best fishing. Temperatures drop 20ºF degrees at this point making a nice change from the heat of the plains. Thanks for looking. G

Pine Siskin, Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM

Geraint June 29, 2020 4 Comments

Pine Siskin at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal, NM. A pleasant little bird and fun to watch during it’s foraging activities, hopping from tree to bush and back to tree again. It has a penchant for hanging upside down, feeding on thistle and fall sunflowers husks. Thanks for looking. G

Muskrat, Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM

Geraint June 21, 2020 2 Comments

Muskrat at the Shuree Ponds, in the Valle Vidal, NM. One of the critters from yesterday’s list, masticates it’s meal of pond salad. There was ample opportunity for photographs and video as it made 5 trips to the bottom and back to the log. It was unperturbed by our presence and kept on about the business of eating. At first we thought it was a young beaver, until we saw it’s tail. It worked those claws with dexterity to perfection. Thanks for looking. G

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, New Mexico

Geraint June 20, 2020 8 Comments

Comanche Point, in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest, New Mexico. We went to the mountains yesterday, to the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal. Spent a couple of hours at the ponds with all kinds of birds, Brewers and Red-winged Blackbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Robins, Pine Siskins, and a couple of Mallards. Fish were jumping, both birds and fish feasting on an abundance of lace winged bugs. There were electric blue, gossamer winged dragonflies flitting around and two muskrats were chomping on pond salad. Temps dropped to 54° F and the fire smoke blowing in from Arizona was mostly nonexistent. Thanks for looking. G

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM

Geraint October 15, 2019 2 Comments

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM. Another view from the Valley of Life of the Comanche Point formation, down at the water’s edge, on the confluence of the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek. Thanks for looking. G