Greetings from the Vale Vidal, in the high country of northern New Mexico. My computer and internet are running really slow today so I’m heading to the mountains. Here’s a favorite stopping point, Comanche Point at the confluence of the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek. You know the place. Not a lot of water, though some areas are very green and lush, and the clouds are outstanding.
Enjoy! See you next week.
Valle Vidal in the high country of northern New Mexico.
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Checking out the aspen groves, it’s looking like it will be fabulous fall color up here!
Aspens, Skyward.
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It’s always fun to stop in the San Luis Valley and photograph a dilapidated ruin en-route to the Valle Vidal.
Adobe ruin, Garcia, CO.
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Three hours later I can safely say…. “As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week”. G
Greetings from New Mexico. I hope everyone had a great week. This week, a large-scale composite photograph depicting two places I love being, besides home! One is standing in awe of Taos Pueblo Peak (Taos Mountain), the second is watching the river flow in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Here’s the composite created this last spring during a session with my good friend and co-conspiritor David, Vedoe. I hope you’ll pardon another short post. I had a great couple of weeks photo touring with clients. I’m heading to the mountains tomorrow so I’ll see what I get from a day hiking. I will be looking out for unexpected things.
The picture below is a high resolution, mural sized panorama, that can be mounted on interior walls. It was created for the pure fun of doing something different.
Not a composite image, was the sky two nights ago over our valley. I only had to walk out to the driveway to get most of the expanse. I call it “under the arc of existence”.
We have views from the back garden, the kitchen, dining room and deck along with the driveway, I only need a view from the bedroom and I won’t have to leave the house. Kidding! Soon I’ll do a post of the shots I’ve taken of this scene with the skies over our neighbors house.
Sky over San Cristobal, NM
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The Milky Way from our driveway, with Saturn, Jupiter, and an almost complete view, on the right, of the constellation Scorpius.
Saturn, Jupiter, the Milky Way and the Scorpion constellation.
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As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from New Mexico. I hope everyone had a good week. This week, five views from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge looking south, one looking north at the bridge itself spanning the canyon 600 feet above the river, and one of the bridge under a rainbow.
Summer evening light on the Rio Grande.
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Rainbow with lightning over the gorge.
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Summer rainbow.
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Driving over the bridge at any time of day affords spectacular views.
Summer afternoon on the bridge.
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Added bonus of winter in the canyon are accents of snow.
Winter in the gorge.
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Because the summer storms are almost always accompanied by rainbows.
Rainbow bridge.
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Looking north to the bridge, where the previous images were taken from.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and gorge in black and white.
Greetings from San Cristobal. I hope everyone had a good week. I spent the last few days on a photo tour/workshop. Yesterday was spent in Abiquiu, NM. We spent three days overall, photographing in the San Luis Valley, Valle Vidal, Taos, the High Road to Taos, Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. My photography client and new friend, Wally Love inspired me as much as I inspired him. The landscape, scenery, and iconic locations continue to inspire visitors and I’m honored to have the opportunity to share this place I call home with others.
The clouds continued to build up throughout the day, bringing much needed moisture to a dry thirsty landscape.
Cerrito Blanco and the Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM
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This area has attracted travellers for centuries. Join me on a photo trek, I’ll be happy to show you the locations and backroads.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, a few shots from a Taos walkabout. I hope everyone had a good week and holiday. I watched more than my fair share of the World Cup. I did engage in a little chair yoga while watching so I didn’t feel like too much of a slug! In the last world cup our previous two dogs (labradoodles) used to get all excited when a goal was scored. These two goldendoodles we have now, couldn’t give a monkey’s uncle!
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week. This week I did a photo tour to Abiquiu, in Georgia O’Keeffe country, where the Cholla Cactus were blooming and in abundance. I chose the two images below, though I shot many more. This was an iPhone photography workshop in Abiquiu so I was only shooting with the iPhone. Liberating!
Piedra Lumbre (shining rock) and what locals call the Shark Fin or Sandstone Fin of Ghost Ranch. I’ve photographed it many times and still don’t know its official name.
Piedra Lumbre (shining rock) and Shark Fin.
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Abiquiu Lake on the rocks with a storm brewing over “Pedernal”.
Abiquiu Lake rocks and Cerro Pedernal.
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Abiquiu Lake with Cerro Pedernal and cloud reflections. Cerro Pedernal is the flat top mountain.
Hello from New Mexico. I hope everyone had a great week. This week, a flashback to 2013 at the Chama Depot, the New Mexico terminus of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. I found it impossible to find the lunar occultation, but I did give it a go. I was probably distracted by the world cup football match playing at the time. Yesterday, I had some minor surgery on my hand that makes it difficult to hold my graphic pen to edit images. I don’t poscess a mouse nor can I use one very well. I’ve used a graphics pen and tablet for 20 years. Things should be back to normal next week. I’ll also be adding a few new pieces to the new work page in a few days.
I shot the above image in July 2013, editing in black and white gave it a historical feel. I seem to recall chasing the train for a couple of days during a week long photo trek with my friend Ron during that summer.
I have made many trips over the years with Ron. And we’ve made many images on those trips. Check out Ron’s website, I think you’ll enjoy his work.
Ron in the shadows in Santa Rosa, NM.
Santa Rosa, NM.
Here’s the shot I got of the restaurant.
Restaurant, Santa Rosa, NM.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Hello from New Mexico. I hope everyone had a great week. Tomorrow there will be a celestial event happening, a Lunar Occultation of Venus. I’ve shot this event back in December 2015. Below are the images. It’s a daytime event that can be seen across north America and will occur in New Mexico on June 17, 2026 between 12:17 pm and 4:43 pm. Get your binoculars or long lenses and look for the crescent moon.
Weather permitting, I hope to get some good images and look forward to sharing them next week. Enjoy.
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.
Lone tree, Taos’ “Welcome Tree”.
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Biker heading to Taos at the Welcome Tree.
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The tree during a storm.
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As the storm clears.
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The storm leaves puddles and my daughter went for a run and some reflection.
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The tree reflects in the roadside puddles at sunset.
“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
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.
