Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Category: Photo of the Day

Adobe Corner, Las Trampas Church

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

Adobe Corner, Las Trampas Church

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

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

Evening Coyote In The Long Grasses

Red-Tailed Hawk Over The Hedgerow

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

Red-tailed Hawk Over The Hedgerow

The Meadows, Taos New Mexico

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

The Meadows, Taos New Mexico

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, NM

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

Moody Mesa Homestead

Cliffs Along The Rio Chama

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

Cliffs Along The Rio Chama

https://geraintsmith.com/windmill-on-the-rio-chama-road/

https://geraintsmith.com/desert-monastery-road-abiquiu-nm/

https://geraintsmith.com/rio-chama-abiquiu-new-mexico/

https://geraintsmith.com/christ-in-the-desert-monastery/

Random Bailing Wire

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

Random Bailing Wire

High Country, Old Corral

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

High Country, Old Corral

Cornfield, Sunflowers, Taos Mountain

Cornfield, and sunflowers, on the flanks of Taos Mountain. I’ve seen many small fields of corn around the county and I’m impressed by the growth of the plants despite the dry start to summer. My neighbor has a fabulous garden this year. I’m grateful for his generous donations to our pot and to the organic produce section at out local grocery store. Thanks for looking. G

Cornfield, Sunflowers, Taos Mountain

Indian Paintbrush In The High Country

Indian Paintbrush in the high country of the Valle Vidal (Valley of Life) in northern New Mexico. The wildflower is only about 2 to 3 inches tall this year. Beautiful and exquisite all the same. Had to get a ground level view in this case. Thanks for looking. G

Indian Paintbrush In The High Country