Stone House, San Luis Valley, Colorado

Geraint January 12, 2018 No Comments

Stone house in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. I spent some time here last week, down below the house, at the fence line exploring distant views of the stone house on the ridge line. Returning uphill to the car I found this juxtaposition, the barbwire boundary of the property nicely completing the scene. As always, when I’m out in this country, I can’t help but think of the former residents as I wander among ghosts from the past. I feel a deep respect as I walk lightly around the property and ponder for a moment, in reverence, the lives of those who’ve walked this way before me. Thanks for looking. G

Flag Alamosa Colorado

Geraint January 11, 2018 No Comments

Flag, Alamosa Colorado.

San Cristobal Cottonwoods, NM

Geraint January 10, 2018 2 Comments

San Cristobal Cottonwoods. On a trip to the grocery store this evening we pulled over for this little scene. I must admit I anticipated it. I’ve made a few successful images of this location in the past so when we headed out we went straight to this spot. This is only one of numerous images I made this evening of the ‘spotlight’ on the cottonwood trees. And now, at this very moment, it is snowing. Thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Tree, Southern Colorado

Geraint January 9, 2018 6 Comments

Rio Grande tree, southern Colorado. Slightly south of the Lobatos Bridge crossing the Rio Grande, is this old cottonwood tree, a sentinel, surrounded by exposed fractured basalt cliffs along the sides of the river where the gorge begins. The river is frozen in the shadows of the cliffs, though not yet frozen enough to skate or cross country ski on this year! Last week the ice on the embankments was constantly thunder cracking, echoing off the underside off the old steel girder bridge. Thanks for looking. G

San Luis Valley Farm, Colorado

Geraint January 8, 2018 No Comments

San Luis Valley Farm, southern Colorado. The fields are tilled, the hawks are hunting for prey and a mate. The barn, unfortunately, falling into disrepair, is a future roost for the owls, hawks, and winter shelter for cattle. I will have numerous opportunities of subject matter for the next few years to come. Waiting for winter snows. Thanks for looking. G

Morning At Ute Mountain

Geraint January 7, 2018 No Comments

Morning at Ute Mountain in the Taos Volcanic Field (Plateau). On a photo tour last week we watched the sun rise over the Sangre de Cristos and light up the Rio Grande Gorge. As the sun rose, the shadows retreated across the plateau and revealed the dome of Ute Mountain rising some 3000 feet above the floor of the San Luis Valley in the Volcanic Field. The extinct volcano is an extraordinary feature of the northern New Mexico and southern Colorado landscape and features in a number of my photographs of the area. This day was no exception. It is one of my favorite places to visit. Thanks for looking. G

Ice Designs, Rio Grande, Colorado

Geraint January 6, 2018 No Comments

Ice designs, on the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. I made a series of images that reminded me of aerial landscapes, except that the patterns and designs were only twenty feet below my vantage point on the bridge. A new fascination… scenes from winter, “below, from not so far above.” Thanks for looking. G

Bald Eagle, Rio Grande, Cottonwood Tree

Geraint January 5, 2018 No Comments

Bald Eagle, in a cottonwood tree along the Rio Grande, in Pilar, New Mexico. This image is of the first Bald Eagle spotted this year in the Rio Grande Gorge south of Taos in late November. It was so wonderful to see this bird across the river in the large tree, and, I always wonder if this is one of the eagles I’ve photographed, spending the winters here in previous years. Anyway, it never ceases to excite me when I’m driving along the road through the canyon and there it is! Thanks for looking. G

Snow Goose, Morning On The Icy Pond

Geraint January 4, 2018 No Comments

Snow Goose, morning on the icy pond slurping up water through the cracks in the ice. When the first rays of morning light hits these fabulous birds, and the sky overhead is New Mexico blue, the scene glistens and warms my heart as the sun warms my back. Thanks for looking. G

Red Sky Jemez Mountains Sunset

Geraint January 3, 2018 2 Comments

Red Sky, Jemez Mountains Sunset. I love the view from the wall of the Jemez Mountains. Yesterday evening the sky was glowing in layers. The mountains ring a super volcano caldera.

“The Valles Caldera.” This is from the NPS website… “About 1.25 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 13-mile wide circular depression now known as the Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history.” Here’s the link to the the Wikipedia page.

Beyond that it’s a wonderful sight out the living room window, it a better view when I step outside into the cold crisp winter air, under the red sky, and feel a part of it all. Thanks for looking and joining me. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Month: January 2018