Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
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Geraint 
Western Kingbird on the wire southern Colorado. We were driving along and this bird kept bopping along just ahead of us. As soon as I would stop the car and level the camera, it would pop off to the next section of fence. After four attempts it appeared to be enjoying the game. On the fifth time, it waited for us on the fence line and I got off five frames, only to take off again in to the field and beyond. Thanks for looking. G
Swallowtail Butterfly, in the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The image below is a composite of the same butterfly, on and off the Horsetail Milkweed. This plant, is essential to the Monarch Butterflies, but it also appears to be attractive to Swallowtails. There’s a lot of Horsetail Milkweed plant along the roadsides and verges all around Taos County. Fortunately, I think the road crews cut the invasive weeds and spared the milkweed plants when mowing this year. Thanks for looking. G
More on the Swallowtail Butterfly
Adobe Corner, Las Trampas. The most beautiful and authentic mission Church of San José de Gracia de Las Trampas, on the high road to Taos. Click on the links below to see more images. Thanks for looking. G
https://geraintsmith.com/san-jose-de-gracia-de-las-trampas-2/
https://geraintsmith.com/las-trampas-church-high-road/
https://geraintsmith.com/san-jose-de-gracia-de-las-trampas-nm-2/
https://geraintsmith.com/las-trampas-grave-marker-high-road-taos/
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/december_15/dec_06_15.html
Evening Coyote in the long grasses, in a meadow in southern Colorado. I love it when the coyote stops and stares and decides we are just as interesting to him as he is to us. We were, transfixed, during this brief, eye to eye encounter with this animal. In the words of Tony Hillerman “Coyote Watches”, he does, but, I feel sure he saw us long before we saw him! Thanks for looking. G
Red-tailed Hawk over the hedgerow. We made a quick drive a few nights ago to the southern edge of the San Luis Valley in Colorado just over the border from New Mexico. A gentle wind moved through the wheat fields stirring the crops. Raptors launched from power poles, as we drew close, gliding along the fence lines and hedgerows. The adult birds were screeching warnings to the fledglings who followed the parents, riding on warm, gentle thermals. We saw a number of fields being mowed as we criss-crossed the road grids in the area. The center pivot irrigator provided a perfect watch tower and launch pad for a number of raptors, crows and ravens eager to snatch an unsuspecting mouse or rabbit stirred up by the massive wheeled harvester. We were back home for a late dinner and a movie right before dark. This day, in it’s own way, was a cinematic experience in itself. Thanks for looking. G
The Meadows, Taos, New Mexico. I don’t go to my bank very often. I do my banking on line. But when I do this is the view I see as I pull out on to US Highway 64 in El Prado (the meadows) just north of Taos. Beyond the summer greens of the line of red willows is Taos Pueblo land. From here the view is unobstructed to the Columbine – Hondo Wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Thanks for looking. G
Here are a few more images from the bank!
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/november_15/nov_06_15.html
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/october_15/oct_25_15.html
https://geraintsmith.com/this-evening-light-el-prado-new-mexico/
Moody mesa homestead, Carson, New Mexico. Before the storm. Rural abandonment and decay, across the highway from the old school house/community center on the road to Ojo Caliente. I wonder if the power is still metered to the property. Thanks for looking. G
Cliffs along the Rio Chama on the road to the Desert Monastery. For sure the tree adds a little scale. In color these cliffs are hues of honey, rosy pinks and rusty browns. There’s a wonderful old “David Bramley” windmill behind where I’m standing. Below are some links to other images in the area. Thanks for looking. G
https://geraintsmith.com/windmill-on-the-rio-chama-road/
https://geraintsmith.com/desert-monastery-road-abiquiu-nm/
Random bailing wire tied on a fence post. It’s been there a while rusted in to place. Tied off long ago for some possible future use when a piece of wire is needed for some random purpose. Nothing goes to waste here. Thanks for looking. G
High Country, Old Corral. I always like to stop here on trips to the Valle Vidal. To contemplate the past and to wonder about those who used this corral in it’s heyday. Today the lichen creeps along the containment rails and posts. It hasn’t corralled any cattle for many years. The cattle now roam freely on the surrounding hills. Thanks for looking. G
