Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Month: May 2021

Full Moon, Eclipse, Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon

The moon was nearly full when it rose over the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I’m a proponent of as little travel as possible when the presentation is before me. Dewitt Jones said, “The banquet is spread constantly, with no thought of whether anyone will attend. If I were receptive enough, perhaps I would see it in everything. But I’m not, so photography is one of the tools I use to help me concentrate, to help me see deeply, to block out all that is extraneous and see that which is essential.” I shot the moon rise last night and the following two images looking out from our deck early this morning. The potential for a vibrant eclipse diminished through the night as clouds moved in. Around 3 am the moon vanished altogether. At 4:30 am, my alarm went off. There was a faint moon with clouds surrounding it. I nodded off. By 4:55 am I was dressed and standing outside with the camera set up. I surmised that the moon would perhaps emerge from and disappear behind intermittent banks of clouds. It did as I thought but not with the resounding determination I’d hoped for. It seemed to pulse faintly as it set and then it was gone. At 5:45 I was back in bed. I woke up at 7:15 am with a feeling that I had traveled miles. In effect, at that moment I had hitched a ride with the moon. I think I’ll also need a nap later.

Full moon rise over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM
Nearly full moon rising over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM

Lunar eclipse, NM
Lunar eclipse, this morning from San Cristobal, NM

Full moon Lunar eclipse, setting this morning over the Taos Plateau
Full moon, Lunar eclipse, setting this morning over the Taos Plateau.

Below is a new print I’m working on. It’s a very large panorama of the sacred Fajada Butte in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. I’ll have this image ready for purchase on my fine art prints landscape page this weekend.

Fajada Butte Chaco Canyon
Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon, Chaco Culture National Historical Park

As always thanks for looking. G

In the Garden with Buddha, the Birds and a Moth

Not a lot of words are needed here. Suffice to say I’m playing around with my new Sony 100-400mm lens, and what better place than the garden. The birds are willing accomplices and help me put the lens through its paces. I really like this lens a lot.

Garden Buddha
Garden Buddha with seashells, San Cristobal.

Black Headed Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak.

Black Headed Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak

Juvenile Black Headed Grosbeak
Female immature Black-headed Grosbeak.

Juvenile Black Headed Grosbeak
Female Black-headed Grosbeak.

Juvenile Evening Grosbeak
Female Evening Grosbeak.

Male Black-chinned Hummingbird
Male Black-chinned Hummingbird, tasting the nectar or the air.

Male Black-chinned Hummingbird
Male Black-chinned Hummingbird guarding the feeder.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird.

Female Black-chinned Hummingbird
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird on the feeder.

Brown-headed Cowbird
A Brown-headed Cowbird returned to the garden this year.

White-sided Sphinx Moth
White-sided Sphinx Moth, often referred to as a hummingbird moth.

Thanks for looking. See you next week. G

White-faced Ibis, White Recliner, Ranch Cowboys, Muskrat Video.

It’s been a fun three weeks of photo tours and workshops. I get a break next week and head out again shortly after. Thanks to all those who have joined me. I have dates open through the rest of the year and beyond if you are interested in a one-on-one photography experience.

White-faced Ibis
White-faced Ibis, Arroyo Hondo, NM

White Recliner
White Recliner Carson National Forest, NM

Ranch gate cowboys
Ranch gate cowboy cutouts with setting moon, Taos NM.

I shot this short video of one of the few Muskrats we watched in the Valle Vidal (Valley of Life) last summer. Looking forward to getting back to the high country this summer on extended photography trips and some relaxation.

Thanks for looking. Keep staying well and healthy. Geraint

Snow, Cattle Guard, Osprey, Elk, RV, Road G, Chile Trompe l’oeil

Some shots around the extended neighborhood these last couple of weeks. Still a lot of snow in the high country and a brightly colored cattle guard glowing like Kodachrome® yellow. An Osprey with a half-eaten fish on a fence post in the Chama Valley followed by an elk skull and antlers with a backdrop of San Antonio Mountain and great sky over the Volcanic Plateau. A few days ago we cruised north into the San Luis Valley and found an RV standing alone under a brooding sky and the Road G intersection with Road 7 looking north towards Blanca Peak and south to Ute Mountain. Last but not least on a photo tour/workshop two weeks ago, Chile Trompe l’oeil in Costilla and El Rito, NM. Thanks for checking in and looking and for all the great comments, emails, and compliments. G

High Country Snow fence
High country snow and fence near Hopewell Lake, NM.

Cattle Guard, Kodachrome Yellow
Cattle Guard, thoughts of Kodachrome come to mind.

Osprey Chama NM
Osprey on a fence post with half eaten fish in Chama, NM.

Elk head antlers
Elk head, antlers with San Antonio Mountain in the Taos Volcanic Plateau.

RV, San Luis Valley
RV, San Luis Valley, southern Colorado.

Road G San Luis Valley looking north
Road G in the San Luis Valley looking north to Blanca Peak.

Road G San Luis Valley Ute Mountain
Road G in the San Luis Valley looking south to Ute Mountain.

Blue door with chile Trompe l'oeil in Costilla, NM
Blue door with red chile ristras Trompe l’oeil in Costilla, NM.

Painted Chiles
Painted chiles on El Farolito Restaurant in El Rito, NM