Zapata Ice Falls, Sandhill Cranes, Full Worm Moon.

Geraint March 23, 2022 19 Comments

Greetings from a blustery day in San Cristobal.

Last weekend saw us at the Zapata Falls campground for what turned out to be a frigidly cold night on the mountain. Fortunately, the visit to the falls made up for it. I’ve not visited the falls before, it was well worth it, and I can recommend it. Join me next winter, and I’ll take you there. Be sure to bring your crampons or your own Husky! My good friend John did just that.

Zapata falls way in — Zapata Ice Falls, Colorado, the way in!

Zapata ice falls, Colorado — Zapata Ice Falls, Colorado.

Geraint, Zapata falls, Colorado — Yours truly at Zapata Falls, photo by my friend, John Williams.

Kiki at Zapata falls, Colorado — Kiki (Johns huskey) at Zapata falls, Colorado.

Zapata falls, the way out. — The way out. Easy does it at Zapata falls, Colorado.

Fifty miles to the west of the falls is the Monte Vista NWR, where the Sandhill Cranes were present in the thousands. I hope to post a video next week. I have to say that the Sandhill Cranes, coming in for a landing, look like amateur flyers, and all flaps down!

Sandhill Cranes, Monte Vista NWR, Colorado — Sandhill Cranes, over the Rocky Mountains, Monte Vista NWR, Colorado.

The sunset views from the Zapata Falls campground and parking area are incredible, as you can see in the photo below. The peaks from left to right are Challenger Point, Kit Carson Mountain, Columbia Point, Crestone Peak, and Crestone Needle. The dune field in the foreground is in continuous flux. If you feel like climbing the dunes, you will gain approximately 750 feet elevation. One step forward, two steps back, but you’ll get there! And running down is a lot of fun!

Rocky Mountains, Great Sand Dunes NP, Colorado — Sunset on the Rocky Mountains and Great Sand Dunes NP, Colorado.

The Full “Worm Moon,” the “Sap Moon,” or “Crow Moon,” didn’t disappoint. The clouds thinned out in time, and the moon illuminated the night, keeping us awake, beaming through the windows as it traversed the night sky.

Full "worm moon" rising — Full “Worm Moon” rising over Vallecito Mountain, Taos, NM.

As always, thank you for looking. G

Full Moon Rise, Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Geraint March 31, 2021 10 Comments

The full moon rising last Saturday over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado. Commonly known as the “Worm Moon” it’s also known by these names in other cultures. Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Moon of Winds, Fish Moon. Here’s a link to the names of full moons in many other cultures. I’m rather partial to “Crow moon”. The crows in our field get busy at this time of year and show up every morning before sunrise. This is a photo of a crow with the full moon back in early December. Despite the names bestowed on a full moon, it’s a most wondrous site to behold rising over fresh snow-covered peaks of the “Sangres”. This was shot and cropped from a very large panoramic image on a photo tour/workshop. Join me in this area for a trip to see sights like this.

Full worm moon rising over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado. — The full “worm moon” rising last Saturday over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado

Here’s the panorama of the whole scene. If you have room for a large print, the detail in both is amazing. Prints will be available soon.

The full moon rising last Saturday over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado — Large panorama of the full moon rising over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado

As always, thank you for looking. G

Supermoon, Crow Moon, Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Geraint March 10, 2020 8 Comments

Supermoon, Crow Moon, rising over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico. Also known as the Worm moon, Sap moon, Crust moon, or Maple Sugar moon! This was yesterday evening from the deck. It was so bright it kept me awake for about thirty minutes! Then some clouds drew the drapes on the night and I was out like a light. Below is the moon setting over the plateau, early this morning from the deck. Thanks for looking. G

Spring Equinox, “Worm Moon” Rise

Geraint March 21, 2019 No Comments

Spring Equinox, Super “Worm Moon” Rise. This is how the spring equinox, super moon, burst on the scene last night over the Columbine Hondo Wilderness. Yesterday’s image came shortly after, when the moon lit up the sky and the San Cristobal Valley. I hope your first day of spring was sweet and full of light and growth. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Worm Moon

Zapata Ice Falls, Sandhill Cranes, Full Worm Moon.

Full Moon Rise, Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Supermoon, Crow Moon, Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Spring Equinox, “Worm Moon” Rise