The Lone Tree, End Of An Era. 06-10-2026

June 10, 2026 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a good week. This week, the demise of the lone tree, my muse for over 40 years. Today I’m celebrating this tree with the photos I’ve captured over the years, in its prime. Two days ago, it was reported in the Taos News that it had finally fallen after sitting bare for a number of years.

I call it the lone tree, but it is also known as the ‘Taos Welcome Tree” as it heralds the departures of some and the arrivals of others while welcoming home those who live here.

•

Biker heading to Taos at the welcome tree. — Biker heading to Taos at the Welcome Tree.

•

the welcome tree and storm — The tree during a storm.

•

•

The storm leaves puddles and my daughter went for a run and some reflection.

•

The tree reflects in the roadside puddles at sunset.

•

Light rays and clouds, as if drawn by the tree.

•

•

Sunset at the tree. Click here to see full panorama.

•

•

•

“The Taos Welcome Tree stands along the approach to Taos, New Mexico, greeting travelers with a quiet sense of arrival. Shaped by decades of wind, weather, and the high-desert climate, the tree has become an informal landmark and a symbol of the community’s enduring connection to the land. For many residents and visitors, seeing the tree signals that they are finally home—or that their Taos adventure is about to begin.

Set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and New Mexico’s expansive skies, the tree embodies the rugged beauty of northern New Mexico. Its weathered form reflects the resilience required to thrive in this high-altitude environment, where intense sunlight, winter snowstorms, and strong spring winds are part of everyday life.

Photographers are especially drawn to the Welcome Tree because it changes character with the seasons and the light. It can appear dramatic beneath storm clouds, glowing in the warm hues of sunrise and sunset, or stark and sculptural against fresh winter snow. Its simple silhouette provides a powerful focal point that captures the spirit of Taos and the surrounding landscape.

Over the years, the Welcome Tree has become more than just a tree. It is a recognizable icon of place, a marker of memory, and a reminder of the natural beauty that has inspired artists, photographers, and travelers for generations.”

As always thanks for looking and all the comments and compliments. Have a great week. G

Late Spring In The Valle Vidal, NM. 06-02-2026.

June 3, 2026 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week. This week is a short post with a few photos from the beautiful Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life), NM.

•

Shuree Ponds Valle Vidal. — Shuree Ponds.

•

•

Shooting stars in the high country. — Shooting Stars.

•

•

See more images from the Valle Vidal. And read more here.

As always, thanks for visiting and spending time here each week. I really appreciate you. Have a great week. G.

On The Chama River Road. 05-27-2026

May 27, 2026 by Geraint

Panel truck on the Chama River road , NM

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week. This week, a flashback to 21 years ago and photos I shot on the Chama River road to the desert monastery. I was looking for other subject matter, but went down a gopher hole and found myself looking at images of trips made with my friend Dwain and our kids.

Dwain is driving the truck in the photo. I saw it come over the rise in my rear view mirror, stopped got out and had him back down the hill and to drive my way again. This is the shot I got. It has been a best seller since and a true remembrance of a great friendship. This dead tree fell a few weeks later and no doubt wound up in someones campfire. Dwain passed away in 2010. I’ll always treasure our friendship

This was the time of year when the kids got out of school and the first camping trip of summer was always along the Chama River road. We went camping and made trips elsewhere but this was the first of the summer and always the favorite.

Below, if you expand the image you can see our camp site. The tall cottonwood fell down shortly after Dwain passed. Dwain was a master wood and stone carver. I like to picture Dwain and the cootonwood together wherever that may be.

The view from our go to campsite. The kids favorite place to wallow in the river and sandy mud.

Ten minutes upstream is an old bridge with this vista.

Two minutes upstream for our campsite is this bend in the river. A tranquil spot to watch the river flow and the sun setting. The evening continued with marshmallows and smores and Dwain telling stories around the campfire.

As always, thanks for looking. Thanks for indulging me. Have a great week. G

Fun Shooting On The Fly. 05-20-2026

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, shooting on the fly. You see it, you shoot it, and move on.

I hope everyone had a great week. Enjoy the following.

Looking east, the San Jose Cemetery, Albuquerque, NM

Shooting on the fly. Interstate 25 and San Jose Cemetery, Albuquerque — Interstate 25 from San Jose Cemetery, Albuquerque, NM

•

And looking west.

•

When you pass it frequently, and finally, the light is right. Out the window, shooting on the fly.

Old pink school house, Tres Piedras, NM — Old Pink School House, Tres Piedras, NM

•

At the bottom of Holman Hill, the red-roofed house on the road to Chacon, New Mexico. If you expand the image, you will see on the left, wooden cutouts of full-size cattle. Go figure!

Red roofed house Holman NM — Red-roofed house, Holman, NM

•

Just a short hop down the road, still in Holman, NM.

•

Next stop, Rick’s Gas Station, Cleveland, NM. Literally pulled over and shot this out the window. Don’t look for gas, cigarettes, or to spend your EBT funds anymore. And there is certainly no phone, no Pepsi or Coke. Quite positive, the video rentals are gone.

•

To think the Ford Pinto might actually run, as it was parked along the roadside. I like the VW Van. I had a 1984 Westfalia once. Wish I still had it. I also had a 1958 VW Beetle. Wish I still had that car.

Pinto, shooting on the fly, Cleveland, NM — Pinto, Cleveland, NM

•

An adobe home stuffed with hay, the cattle feeding equivalent of a bird feeder.

•

The next town is Mora, NM. I shot this one so fast in case they flew away. They actually never left. They just stayed there being boring. Onward.

Shooting on the fly, Pigeons, Mora, NM — Pigeons, Mora, NM

•

Proudly wearing the brand.

Cow, Mora, NM

•

Out the car window from across the road. Devout mobile home in Mora, NM.

Mobile home, Mora NM — Mobile home, Mora, NM

•

One out of the windshield.

Hole in the rock, Utah — Hole ‘N’ The Rock, Utah.

•

Highway 163 in Monument Valley, Arizona, has become an unexpected tourist hotspot thanks to a scene from the movie “Forrest Gump.” I spoke with a Navajo artisan at his roadside stand about why fewer people are stopping by. He explained, “It’s because of f*****g Forrest Gump. Everyone stops at mile marker 13, where Forrest stopped running in the movie, to take selfies.”

We watched as a large group of bikers blocked the highway to snap multiple selfies before quickly hopping back on their bikes and heading east. Another tourist ran in place while their partner filmed a video. A third person jumped into the air with arms and legs spread wide, as if to declare, “I’m here, I made it too.”

A short distance west, I noticed these tire marks on the highway. Bikers burning rubber.

Highway 163, Utah — Highway 163, Monument Valley, Utah

•

I do a lot of shooting on the fly. It was fun to revisit some of these places.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Photo Tour Of The Week. 05-13-2026

May 13, 2026 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! I hope everyone had a great week. This week, I went on a photo tour around the Moreno Valley along the Enchanted Circle drive. During the tour, I found an intriguing scene that caught my eye. Initially, I didn’t notice the pole arch adorned with weathered boots, but I think it complements the turquoise boxcar beautifully. There is an endless supply of quirky, weird, and wonderful subjects out there. Sometimes, all it takes is another look and a photograph to truly appreciate them.

•

“Don’t fence me in.”

•

Looking up has its own appeal… a burro looking down. Photo tour to Carrizozo, NM

Roof Sculpture Carizozo, NM — Burro Sculpture, Carizozo, NM.

•

I was photographing another subject when this caught my eye.

•

No, you can’t “call home” on this photo tour from this pay phone at the Pilar BLM Visitors Center. It’s kept there for posterity.

Pay phone Pilar, NM — Pay phone, Pilar, NM.

•

Formerly known as the Magic Sky Gallery, Ranchos de Taos, NM.

•

Just down the highway from the Bull in Farmington, NM. On a photo tour around the Four Corners area in 2017.

•

People are funny. Thanks, Martin.

Join me on a photo tour/workshop sometime. I promise to show you the enchanted landscapes of northern New Mexico, the quirky stuff, or both.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Llama Trekking, Rio Grande Gorge. 05-06-2026

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 by Geraint

Llama Trekking Heading down into the gorge

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, I’m sharing images from a photo assignment for “AAA New Mexico Journeys Magazine”, all taken on a Llama Trekking adventure down into the Rio Grande Gorge with Wild Earth Llama Adventures in 2014. Over the years, I have worked on many stories for AAA Magazines. Maybe I’ll share more down the road.

I hope everyone had a good week. Enjoy these images down into the gorge, and the inevitable 700 ft climb out. But then again, the Llamas carry the weight.

The first task is to get acquainted with and choose your llama. Tough choice to settle on which one of these beauties.

Did you pick one?

•

Then, it’s load up and head out, or rather down.

•

Heading down into the gorge — Starting the trek down into the gorge.

•

•

Another switchback on our llama trekking adventure — Another switchback.

•

We all take a break, and our guide shares some local knowledge of the area with us.

Llama trekking — Sharing local knowledge with the trekkers.

•

•

Wild watercress with lunch along the river near a spring.

•

After lunch, there’s plenty of time to explore the ancient petroglyphs in the immediate area.

Petroglyphs along the rio grande — Petroglyphs along the Rio Grande.

•

•

Our guide points out the route we took down into the gorge. We already know where we are going next… up, up, up!

Llama trekking map — Llama trekking, map of the route.

•

After a leisurely lunch and time exploring the area, we loaded up our new best friends and wound our way back along the river to where the trail made its way up out of the gorge to the rim of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Recreation Area.

•

Sure footed.

•

The trail up out of the Rio Grande Gorge, the final few yards.

The trail up out of the gorge — The trail up out of the Rio Grande Gorge.

•

After the trek, it’s treats all around.

•

If you get to close, sometimes…

Wild Earth Llama Trekking Adventures — “Spit Happens”

•

You can read the AAA Magazine story here.

And read more on the Wild Earth Llama Trekking here.

And if you would like to set up a Llama photo trek, reach out here.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week wherever it takes you. G

Acequias, Irrigation Ditches. 04-29-2026

April 29, 2026April 28, 2026 by Geraint

Hello from New Mexico. This week, images of some of the acequias, water irrigation ditches, the lifeblood of agriculture in this area.

I hope everyone had a good week. I endeavor to remain positive.

I’m posting some of my favorite photos of the Taos area acequias this week. There is a wealth of information online if you would like to read more.

•

El Prado acequias with Taos Pueblo Peak — El Prado ditch.

•

•

Acequias are community-operated watercourses used for irrigation. They are managed collectively by local farmers and landowners, emphasizing cooperation and shared responsibility. The governance of acequias is typically overseen by a “mayordomo,” an elected official responsible for the maintenance and operation of the irrigation system.

Horses along an acequia in Pilar, NM — My friend’s horses along an acequia in Pilar, NM.

•

Acequias are designed to be sustainable, using gravity to transport water from rivers or streams to agricultural fields. They are adaptable to various landscapes, including arid and semi-arid regions, making them crucial for agriculture in areas with limited rainfall.

Log flume, in Las Trampas on the High Road to Taos.

•

‘A distinctive feature of the acequias is the survival of a “canoa,” a hand-hewn hollow log that serves as a flume to transport water across ditches and depressions.”

Log flume, irrigation in Las Trampas on the High Road to Taos.

•

Acequia culture is deeply rooted in the traditions and history of the communities that maintain them. They are often associated with indigenous and Hispanic cultures in the American Southwest, particularly in New Mexico and Colorado. These systems have been in continuous use for centuries, representing a living link to the past and a testament to the ingenuity of early settlers and indigenous peoples.

Parciantes clearing the acequias near Truchas, NM — Parciantes (members) spring cleaning near Truchas, NM.

•

Acequias are often governed by specific water rights and legal frameworks that have been developed over time. These rights are crucial for resolving disputes and ensuring equitable water distribution. The social structure surrounding acequias fosters a strong sense of community and mutual aid, as water is a shared and vital resource.

Parciantes clearing the ditches near Truchas, NM.

•

Today, acequia communities face challenges such as urbanization, climate change, and water scarcity. Efforts are being made to preserve these systems through legal protections, cultural initiatives, and sustainable practices. Organizations and local governments work to maintain the integrity of acequias, recognizing their importance for cultural heritage, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

Irrigation ditch on the plateau near Ute Mountain.

•

And a tranquil scene along the Rio Hondo, and a view of one of the lateral ditches running through one of my favorite locations.

Village of Valdez Acequia — An acequia flows through the Village of Valdez.

•

El Prado irrigation ditch, with Taos Pueblo Peak.

•

In summary, acequia culture is a unique blend of historical irrigation practices, community cooperation, and cultural heritage. It continues to play a vital role in the agricultural and social life of many communities in the American Southwest, embodying principles of sustainability and shared stewardship of natural resources.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. Enjoy the spring weather. G

Hipstamatic Photography. 04-22-2026

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 by Geraint

Hipstamatic Photography local market image

Hello from San Cristobal, NM! I hope everyone had a good week. This week, I captured some images on a rainy and overcast day in January 2024 from my car. I wasn’t driving, so I took the opportunity to shoot photos out the window using the Hipstamatic camera app on my iPhone. I know it’s been in existence for quite some time, but I’d never tried it out. Some of my clients use it frequently, and some use the app primarily for their image-making. These pictures are unedited and straight from the camera, using settings I selected just for fun.

I enjoyed the spontaneity and randomness of the subjects, with no preconceived outcome or expectations. I took these photos while traveling on highways 68, 64, and 522, from Taos to San Cristobal, as well as on Old Highway 3 through the village of San Cristobal. And… in no particular order.

I’m not a devotee of the hipstamatic app, and doubt I will be, but I enjoy playing, and that made for an enjoyable ride on a dull day.

These hipstamatic iPhone pictures do bring out the nitty gritty elements of the region.

On another note…

The acequia culture in New Mexico is a centuries-old tradition of community-managed irrigation systems that trace their origins to Spanish colonial times and even earlier indigenous practices. These communal irrigation ditches, known as acequias, are vital for agriculture in the arid Southwest, allowing communities to share and manage scarce water resources equitably. The acequia system is not just a method of irrigation but a cultural institution that fosters community cooperation, governance, and sustainability. It involves a mayordomo, or ditch boss, who oversees water distribution and maintenance, and regular meetings where members, or parciantes, discuss water rights and responsibilities. This system reflects a deep connection to the land and water, emphasizing the importance of collective stewardship and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Acequias are recognized for their cultural and historical significance, embodying a unique blend of indigenous and Hispanic heritage that continues to shape the landscape and communities of New Mexico today.

Taos mountain acequia, El Prado. — Taos Pueblo Mountain Acequia, El Prado.

As always, thank you for taking the time to look. I hope you enjoyed them. Join me next week as I share more photographs of the idyllic vistas, like the one above, found around northern New Mexico, highlighting the beauty and cultural significance of the acequias. Have a wonderful week! G

Taos Pueblo, Three Views. 04-15-2026

April 15, 2026 by Geraint

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, three views of the North House at Taos Pueblo. If you are fortunate to be in Taos this year, put the Taos Pueblo on your list of places to visit.

I hope everyone had a good week. A short post this week, nonetheless, an expansive one. Three panoramas, taken before winter, during winter, and the following spring, plus a view on a spring day, from a hill in our National Monument. Enjoy.

Taos Pueblo, located in northern New Mexico, is a remarkable Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for over a thousand years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its multi-storied adobe buildings, which exemplify traditional Pueblo architecture. The structures, made from earth, straw, and water, are meticulously maintained by the Taos people, who are committed to preserving their cultural heritage. The Pueblo is nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering a stunning backdrop that enhances its historical and spiritual significance. Visitors to Taos Pueblo can experience the rich traditions and vibrant culture of the Taos people, who continue to uphold their ancestral customs and way of life.

Taos Pueblo North House, in winter. — North House, in winter.

On a spring hike last week, up a small hill with expansive views in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Ute Mountain in the distance, left of center, and San Cristobal, where we live, is in the foothills behind the tree on the right.

The mountains in this view, from left to right, are:
Cerro de la Olla, Brushy Mountain, Ute, Cerro Chiflo, the Latir Peaks, Guadalupe Mtn North and South, Flag Mtn, and Lobo Peak. The hill we were standing on (not named) is only 333 feet up, but with excellent vistas.

We also re-visited this old corral out there in the middle of nowhere.

Old corral, in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

See more images of Spring in Taos.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Alamosa Railyard, Colorado. 04-08-2026

April 7, 2026 by Geraint

Hello from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week. This week, a visit to the Alamosa railyards that I hinted at last week. Mostly abstract photo ops that float my boat. Enjoy!

“The Alamosa train depot, located in Alamosa, Colorado, is a historic landmark that reflects the rich railroad heritage of the region. Built in the early 20th century, the depot served as a crucial hub for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, facilitating the transport of passengers and goods across the San Luis Valley. Its architectural style, characterized by classic brickwork and traditional design elements, embodies the era’s industrial optimism. Today, the depot stands as a testament to the transformative impact of railroads on the American West, and it continues to be a point of interest for visitors exploring the area’s history and scenic landscapes.”

Carriage and cloud. — Rio Grande Scenic, carriage, and cloud.

Carriage window and rust. — Carriage windows, patina, rust close-up!

"Ponder the Coalescence" at the railyards. — “Ponder the Coalescence” graffiti at the railyards.

On the road along the railroad tracks in Romeo, Colorado.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G