Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

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Iconic Ute Mountain, The Plateau, New Mexico. 03-09-2023

Greetings from San Cristobal. This week some views of Ute Mountain.

Ute Mountain is a free-standing, Dacitic, extinct Pliocene volcanic cone”. That’s a mouthful. Besides being one of my revered peaks, it is also set in one of my favorite areas, the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field and the San Luis Valley. The mountain also lies within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

The images below encompass a span of almost twenty years.

On the home front, I feel the surgery on my foot will make my photo treks much more enjoyable for years to come.

Ute Mountain clouds
A localized weather pattern over Ute Mountain.

Road to Ute mountain
Road to the mountain.

Old sheep corral with Ute Mountain
Old sheep corral out on the plateau.

Ute Mountain on the Taos Plateau
A view from Guadalupe Mountain across the Taos Plateau.

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Do you recognize the peak back there?

The image below is the one that initiated my fascination with this iconic landmark. Often, I will take a drive north, a pilgrimage of sorts, to visit the mountain. Click here if you want to see more images.

Near Costilla NM
Near Costilla, New Mexico.

Lastly, a couple of shots from closer to home.

Moon rise, San Cristobal
The moon rise this week from the deck in San Cristobal, NM.

And a view across the plateau and beyond to Cerro Pedernal (not a volcano but very much resembles one), “flint peak” near Abiquiu, NM. Immortalized by the artist Georgia O’Keeffe it can be seen from a vantage point behind our home. In the photo, Cerro Pedernal is probably 65-70 miles as the crow flies. The views out west extend a hundred miles or more on clear days. The vistas open like nowhere else, and the skies go on forever.

Cerro Pedernal shot from Taos, NM
Cerro Pedernal shot from Taos, NM.

As always thank you for looking and visiting. And thank you for all the continued well wishes, comments, and compliments.

If you want the name of a wonderful foot and ankle specialist I can give you a recommendation! G

Ute Mountain and the Wild Rivers Area, Winter in the Rio Grande Gorge

More snow coming to northern New Mexico in the next few days. We’re going to head out for certain if it does. We’ll stop in here at Wild Rivers Recreation Area for a view of Ute Mountain, where the wild Rio Grande makes a nice leading line. Thanks for looking. G

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Big Cloud, Ute Mountain, New Mexico

Big cloud over Ute Mountain, New Mexico. Ute Mountain, like its companion, San Antonio Mountain create their own weather systems. Ute Mountain and San Antonio are both free-standing, that rise to over 10,000 feet above sea level. On the plateau, they are unmistakable.  Thanks for looking. G

Big cloud over Ute Mountain, New Mexico.

Ute Mountain, Red Barn, Crescent Moon, Colorado

Ute Mountain with the red barn and crescent moon in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. I headed north to the state line and into Colorado yesterday evening. The sun and moon were setting as I drove forty-five minutes for a shoot at the dilapidated barn. Flocks of crows went where ever crows go at night and owls took up their nightly vigil in the cottonwood snags. The holes in the barn let the dusk and moonlight in. A few stray critters dodged my tires as I ran over their tracks in the twilight. Thanks for looking. G

Ute Mountain, Red Barn, Crescent Moon, Colorado

Lone Tree, Ute Mountain, San Luis Valley

Lone tree with Ute Mountain in the vast San Luis Valley, Colorado. I can’t pass up a lone tree. I keep a folder full on my phone for future photo prospects when the elements come together. I like the animal track, probably a coyote who frequents the nearby hamlet of Mesita, Colorado. Thanks for looking. G

Lone Tree, Ute Mountain, San Luis Valley

Big Dipper, Ute Mountain, Wild Rivers, Moonlight

Big Dipper with Ute Mountain in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The scene is lit by the moon that rose earlier tethered to Mars in the eastern sky. I’ve added a photo below. It was very peaceful after all the people looking for campsites left the area as the campgrounds are shut due to the Covid-19 health order.  Thanks for looking. G

Big Dipper, Ute Mountain, Wild Rivers, Moonlight

 

Moon and Mars rising

Ute Mountain Road, Northern New Mexico

Ute Mountain Road, Northern New Mexico. I pulled over here a couple of evenings ago for a cup of tea and to watch the rain move through the area after a day on the road photographing around northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. It was a beautiful day that ended nicely. Thanks to my friend Larry and thank you for looking. G

Ute Mountain Road, Northern New Mexico.

Ute Mountain, Tree, Clouds, Sunset

Ute Mountain, tree, clouds, sunset. Below is one of many images from my afternoon and evening drive yesterday. I was headed to the aspen groves to make some images of green trunks, new growth and rustling new leaves. The area was closed for Elk calving until July 25th. Onward! As is often the case, a carefree attitude is rewarded with sublime moments. Yesterday was a good day for an outing and some fun images like this mountain halo. Stay tuned. Thanks for looking. G

Ute Mountain, tree, clouds, sunset.