Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
505-501-4880
Geraint 
Cliff Palace ruin in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. The ruin was still closed for winter this week, guaranteeing no people in guided tour of groups, roaming around down there, and no signs declaring “Don’t climb on the walls” “Stay off the ladders”etc … You get the point. An undisturbed view of the ruin languishing in winter’s quiet time. Thanks for looking. G
Mural, and sky in Cortez, Colorado today. A striking mural in Cortez, after lunch on the road to Chaco Canyon. We had snow, hail and rain this morning in Mesa Verde, followed by gorgeous skies and a beautiful evening at Shiprock. Those photos will be forthcoming. Thanks for looking. G
1949 Buick Super Eight in Bluff, Utah. Nice and wet this morning in Bluff. The rain made the colors, and in this case, the toned image pop. I first photographed this old “three hole” in 1985. It’s fairing nicely. The windows are still intact and the chrome is glowing. Onward to Moab, Arches and Mesa Verde. Thanks for looking. G
Canyon de Chelly Photo Tour. We were inspired today by our Navajo guide, Ben, on our tour in Canyon de Chelly, to Spider Rock. The changes in light, shapes and form in the canyon, and Ben’s expert guiding made us want to jump out at every opportunity. Ourselves, having been inspired by Edward S. Curtiss for many years, we wanted to see the location of his famed Canyon de Chelly image of riders on horseback. Today the valley floor is filled with large cottonwood trees, invasive Tamarisk and Russian Olive trees, and although the rock faces are still discernible, the view has changed and is almost unrecognizable otherwise. This view above is the closest I came, to the indescribable vastness and enchanting beauty of Canyon de Chelly. Thanks for looking. G
South Rim, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Beautiful soft evening light on the canyon this evening. The lack of water doesn’t seem to be hurting the cottonwoods down there. Thanks for looking. G
Mountain Bighorn Sheep in the Orilla Verde, in the Rio Grande Gorge. This guy settled in and had a wonderful, kind of sleepy head dreamy look. I guess it’s hard work eating, rock climbing, and herding his females all day. Thanks for looking. G
Patina painting. Many fading coats of paint tell their own story. So many stories, which one to tell. I’ll go with this one today. Thanks for looking. G
GMC truck cab shadows, in El Prado New Mexico. Over the years, these trucks have provided loads of photo ops for many photographers and there’s always a new angle if one looks for it. Sadly their demise has been advanced by the proliferation of bombardments of rocks. Still… it will make for plenty more photo ops. The hornets are guaranteed a home for many years more. Thanks for looking. G
La Cueva Cemetery with the San Rafael Church. Thanks for looking. G
Cottonwoods, red willows and a vulture in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. After I made images in the valley yesterday, I headed home. Cresting the hill, above the valley I had another view looking back at this cozy little scene which was graced, momentarily, by a Turkey Vulture. As the sun goes down the Turkey Vultures head to a communal roost in large cottonwoods. There is a group who spend the summer in a tree on Kit Carson Road in downtown Taos. Links below. Thanks for looking. G
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/april_12/april_07_12.html
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/september_11/sept_13_11.html
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/turkey_vulture.html
https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/october_05/oct_06_05.html