Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Month: November 2016

Vallecito Mountain Snows

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Fresh piles of snow on Vallecito Peak. There is a faint outline of “Corn Woman” my favorite, or “Weaver Woman” the trees in the center of the snow field. She will become more prominent as the snow melts.

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Untitled. We went for a drive last week and spotted a house in Costilla, NM adorned with these small flags. I think they were in honor of Veterans Day a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, they looked colorful along the fence line and this one, against the wall with shadows, stood out in particular. The first few images I made didn’t amount to much as the flag was furled on itself. I don’t like to influence the scene … I mean … I could have got out of the car, unfurled it, made my image and left. As is often the case in times like these, before my thought of contrivance had left my head, the wind whipped up the flag, first one direction then the other. Thanks for looking.

usa flag on a post, white wall, wire fence

Hawk Nest And Ute Mountain

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After numerous years, the tree and Swainson’s Hawk’s nest near Ute Mountain on the plateau has finally succumbed to the elements. The nest, were it not for the fact that it is now three feet above the ground and within reach of predators, would have lasted for many more generations of raptors. The structure of the nest is bound together with an armature of barbed and bailing wire. I expect to see the tree disintegrate around it while the nest remains a reminder of what once was.

Lava Rock, In The Taos Volcanic Field

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Crossing arroyos at this time of year in the Taos Volcanic Field, one encounters slick rock formations where flash flood water collects in fissures and ice forms. The erosion cycle continues, expanding and contracting. Many forms of geology catch my attention in this place. I slow my pace, and line up some compositions. Secretly I enjoy a moment to breathe and fill my lungs, under the guise of image making. Sometimes that is what it takes.

Sangre de Cristo Chapel, Cuartelez, NM

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Little white chapel in the Española valley on the road to Chimayo, NM. On an annual photo tour on black Friday with clients form San Juan Capistrano, CA. Their family spend Thanksgiving in Santa Fe every year, it’s a pleasure to go photographing with them and show them some more of the beauty in northern NM. Beats the mall!

Shadows at the St. Francis Church

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Waiting and watching, a photographer susses out a potential image as the shadow of the belfry cross, silently traverses the vestry wall at the St. Francis de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos.

Plaza Blanca Slot Canyon

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In Plaza Blanca on a warm fall day, the narrowing slot canyon walls are alternating zones of cool, noticeably moist, air and radiating warm dry air. As one proceeds, the canyon closes in, the growing feeling of solitude embellishes the senses and grounds the body in the womb of the earth. All the while, white cliffs languishing in the sun, under an intense blue sky, draws ones gaze upward.

Red Willow, Cottonwoods

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In the meadows flanking Taos Mountain and girding the Taos Pueblo, the sunsets create a fiery glow on the red willows, warming up the cold, early winter evenings.

Sunset on Taos Mountain

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Sunset this evening on Taos Mountain also known as Pueblo Peak.

San Antonio de Padua, Valdez NM

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Under a brooding sky at the San Antonio de Padua, church in Valdez, NM. On a photo tour around Taos and vicinity.