Winter Solstice, Rio Grande, Ute Mountain

Geraint December 21, 2017 No Comments

Winter Solstice, at the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande and Ute Mountain. We took a drive north this morning to Ute Mountain. I wanted to make an image at the precise moment of the solstice 9:28 am MST. We did that and then proceeded to this favorite spot along the Rio Grande Gorge at the Wild and Scenic Rivers section of the Rio Grande. It was crisp and icy cold, and perfect to have all the senses alert, feeling the moment. Tonight it is snowing in San Cristobal. We’ll head out again in the morning for the first sunrise of winter. Thanks for looking. G

Where I Stood In December 2010

Geraint December 20, 2017 No Comments

Where I stood in December 2010. It was early morning so I was on my daily walk. I have no idea where this was but I have this photo as evidence that I was there at this point in time. Staring down at my feet with a thin layer of snow on the ground and this orange marker I have no recollection of ever having made this image! Thanks for looking. G

Three Peaks Sunset Crescent Moon

Geraint December 19, 2017 2 Comments

Three Peaks Sunset Crescent Moon. Tonight I drove to the turnout to watch the crescent moon set. The orange layer is the fire smoke pollution happening in the area. Above that, the sky is pretty crystal clear and the crescent moon stands out in all it’s glory along with earthshine and a planet. I’m at a loss as to which planet. Any ideas? At this time of year, with predominantly clear skies overhead, living in the high desert is a magical earthly experience. Thanks for looking. G

The Rail Yards, Alamosa, Colorado

Geraint December 18, 2017 2 Comments

Alamosa rail yards, southern Colorado. I like wandering aimlessly around locations and being pleasantly surprised by what I find. This may not seem like a lot, but to me it was like finding an old family heirloom, a familiar item, that had been touted through generations. Lost but now found. Thanks for looking. G

Touching The Winter Stream

Geraint December 17, 2017 4 Comments

Touching the winter stream. Bare branches bow down gently caressing the winter stream, as if sharing a secret in a brief goodbye. Soon the branches will freeze rigid in the ice until winter loosens its grip relinquishing them again. Thank you for looking. G

Sandhill Cranes Sunset In The Marshes

Geraint December 16, 2017 2 Comments

Sandhill Cranes sunset in the marshes at the Bosque del Apache. There are so many photo ops one encounters in this magnificent National Wildlife Refuge in the Rio Grande Valley southeast of Socorro, New Mexico. Today I chose this one which pleases me very much. In this case it depicts an evening sunset across the marshes with the silhouettes of the Sandhill Crane settling in for the evening. Thanks for looking. G

Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache

Geraint December 15, 2017 2 Comments

Great Blue Heron,fishing in the irrigation channels at the Bosque del Apache, San Antonio, NM. I feel like I know this bird personally. Each time we visit the “Bosque” I am sure we are seeing the same bird, in the same location, as on previous visits. Well anyway if it isn’t the same bird, I like to pretend it is. Funny thing though… I feel it knows me! Thanks for looking. G

Juvenile Bald Eagle And Grackle

Geraint December 14, 2017 No Comments

Juvenile Bald Eagle and Grackle. Here we are in the Bosque del Apache, in the middle of December, south of Socorro, NM where the temps are in the fifties, with a chilling wind that makes our fingers hurt, but we are quite content to stand and watch this scene of the young bald and the grackle ignore each other. The grackle minded it’s own business and the eagle paid attention to everything but the grackle such as geese and hawks and cranes. Thanks for looking. G

Catalpa Tree, Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico

Geraint December 13, 2017 No Comments

Catalpa tree, Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico. This is a young catalpa tree at the Santuario in Chimayo. I have always loved catalpa trees. The leaves are shaped like hearts. It is also known as “cigar tree” for it’s cigar-shaped, cylindrical seed pods.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say: It is a relative of the New Mexico Locust (Robinia neomexicana) and other locust varieties also known to be great bee trees. All are in the pea family, so they fix nitrogen and build soils. Catalpa trees have very large leaves and have the potential to be large shade trees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalpa

Thanks for looking. G

Ice Patterns On A Parking Lot Puddle

Geraint December 12, 2017 2 Comments

Ice patterns on a parking lot puddle. It appears I don’t have to look far to find natures patterns at their best. Looking down by my feet near the much photographed Saint Francis Church I found this ice formation. Looking up is good, the adobe church structure is magnificent. I’ve made many images of the building at all times of the day and year. On this day I came away with this favorite. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Month: December 2017