Golden Eagle, Pole Sitting, Vallecito Mountain
Golden Eagle, pole sitting, on the Hondo Mesa with Vallecito Mountain for a backdrop. I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a hawk from a distance, but grew larger as I closed the distance. I’m not a hundred percent certain it’s a golden but I’m going with it. Thanks for looking. G
Bald Eagle, Monte Vista, Colorado
Bald Eagle, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado. On a “photo safari” in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado this week with my good friend R. David Marks. We may not encounter the big game one might on an African safari, but the excitement of discovering a Bald Eagle, high in an old cottonwood, is no less exciting. Join me on a “photo safari” in our own back yard. Thanks for looking. G
Up Close, Personal, Great Blue Heron
Up close and personal Great Blue Heron in the Bosque del Apache, NWR, New Mexico. While we’re on the topic, I thought I would share an image of this different, more mature, Blue Heron. I have lots of images of these magnificent creatures. I’ll share more at some point in a later posts. The light source for this bird is the sun immediately after breaking over the horizon, the best kind spotlight. Thanks for looking. G
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache, NWR
Great Blue Heron, in the Bosque del Apache, National Wildlfe Refuge, New Mexico. These birds have their own territories at the Bosque del Apache, so much so, that one can find them in the same spot from one year to the next. I swear I know this Great Blue Heron intimately after all my trips. Thanks for looking. G
Red River Canyon, Bighorn Ram
Red River Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Ram. Took a drive today. We wanted to get out and make a leisurely trip with no motivation or goal except to enjoy the day. As is often the case, when there is no agenda other than to get out in nature, things happen and the day presents itself in all its glory. In Red River Canyon, shortly after we left home, I was able to get up close and personal with this handsome fellow. He seemed unperturbed by my presence. I was able to look into his eyes and see the details in his horns without my camera. The word primordial comes to mind. The elements came together and before we knew it we were heading home having experienced our own backyard with the creatures and locations that make it unique. Thanks for looking. G
Golden Eagle, Breakfast, Bobcat Pass, NM
Golden Eagle, with breakfast, of a road kill deer on Bobcat Pass, NM. Throwback Thursday or flashback Friday depending on when you see my post. I made this image in 2012. I actually used another shot of this bird in my book, which is being reprinted in Canada as we speak. I’m very excited and looking forward to when the Museum of New Mexico Press re-issues it. I thought I would share this image for the birds impressive, regal posture and downright powerful nature. Oh! … and it’s willingness to acknowledge my presence and it’s ability to stay focussed on the meal at hand. Thanks for looking. G
Bighorn Ram, A Young One
Bighorn Ram, a young one! Handsome and immaculately turned out. His horns look like they haven’t yet seen any rutting or any entanglement with larger, more experienced, rams. He was on his own, on a rock in the Orilla Verde area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, chewing his cud. Doing what bighorn sheep tend to do, he ignored us and moseyed on his leisurely way. Thanks for looking. G
Mallards, Red River, New Mexico
Mallards, Red River, New Mexico. Just too cute to pass up and I couldn’t resist. The mom and duckling mallards on this mountain pond in Red River. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Mustang, Southern Colorado
Wild Mustang, roaming in the San Luis Valley, southern Colorado. It was the stallion permitting us to participate in this encounter with these beautiful and powerful wild beings. Stomping his foot and showing his teeth we moved forward, cautious, in deference, as if in some form of supplication. As close as this is, we respected their space and with the aid of long lenses, were able to make images of these magnificent creatures. Click on photo to enlarge. Thanks for looking. G
Chipmunk, Rock Meditation
Chipmunk, Rock Meditation. Why meditation? This little guy took a minute to notice our presence. It was so transfixed, that, or the warm afternoon sun made it drowsy. We were able to make a number of images before it snapped out of it and buzzed off! Thanks for looking. G
Badger, Northern New Mexico
Badger, northern New Mexico. This badger is building a “set” in the middle of a meadow, strewn with wild flowers, in northern New Mexico. It has taste in locations, the setting was stunning. Pami spotted dirt flying in the air from a hole in the ground. We were going slow, as we drove along the rain muddied road, or we may have missed this outstanding creature. I made a number of images before it was done digging, before it disappeared down the hole. I’ve seen three of these animals over the years, one alive in England, one dead at the side of the road in England, and this magnificent specimen. This badger made our hearts beat faster today. Thanks for looking. G
Pronghorn “Where The Rockies Meet The Plains”
Pronghorn, Ocate, New Mexico, “Where The Rockies Meet The Plains”. Working through some images from yesterday I thought this was a real sweet picture with soft diffuse lighting adding to the gentle look of this Pronghorn. Can’t say I’d like to stand in it’s way when it decides to bolt! It is the fastest land animal in North America, with sustained speeds of 45 mph and top speed just over 60 mph. I know a couple of photographers who can attest to this fact, Paul Malinowski and Linda Duffy. Remember the lone Pronghorn racing the car? Thanks for looking. G
Marmot Southern Colorado
Marmot on a roadside perch in southern Colorado. This marmot was lazing on a rock, minding it’s own business. It didn’t seem to mind me making portraits of it. Given where we found it, on a pile of lava rocks at the side of the highway turnout, people would be quite familiar to it. Thanks for looking. G
Elk Cows, In The High Country
Elk Cows, in the high country of New Mexico. In the Valle Vidal (Valley of Lifeagain today. We spent the afternoon and evening photographing the high alpine light. Because we stayed out past dinner time, we were fortunate to see so many elk. One bull with two cows emerged from the trees and crossed the road. They stared at us momentarily, then took off into a hillside of pines. Not long after, as twilight descended over the valley, we spotted a dozen cow elks, a number of them pregnant, grazing on the fresh shoots of grass along the creek. These three ladies came down the hillside, herded the others and ushered them into the trees. It was a beautiful drive home. Thanks for looking. G
Rattlesnake At Fort Union, NM
Rattlesnake on the trail/walkway at Fort Union, NM. The ranger said they hadn’t seen one in a long while, physically on the trail. I have a lot of respect for these creatures. It didn’t warn us with a rattle, the air temps were still cool. Rattlesnakes become lethargic when it is cold, so they exhibit a near narcoleptic state, but it seems they still exude energy because I certainly picked up on it! For that I am grateful. The ranger warned other visitors, some with young children, that the snake had been spotted and to be aware. Note the way the snake blends beautifully with its environment. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Horses, Colorado
Wild horses, Colorado. This pair hung close together and made for a nice pensive portrait. They were part of a larger tribe of about two dozen wild horses on the roadside in southern Colorado. Thanks for looking. G
