Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly (Tséyiʼ in Navajo) National Monument, Arizona. “A sandstone spire that rises 750 feet (229 m) from the canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon.” I know it doesn’t look anything like that high in this image but when I’m standing in it’s shadow and the sun peeps over the tip of the spire and lights me up, it is awesome. If you haven’t visited Canyon de Chelly do it with the folks at Beauty Way Jeep Tours. Ben was our guide and we met up with TJ who demonstrated the use of the ancient Atlatl hunting weapon. 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
Starting with the Valles Caldera National Preserve this week, Pami and I made a Saturday drive around the block… way around the block. We headed to the Caldera, Jemez Springs, the Gilman Tunnels, Cuba, Abiquiu, and home, a 334-mile block. I also added a couple of images from later in the week from Arroyo Seco, NM.
The Valles Caldera is a supervolcano and will be familiar to you if you’ve watched the series “Longmire.” Walt Longmire’s cabin is located here, the caldera doubles for Wyoming. On this day we listened to the melted ice waters gently lapping in the East Fork of the Jemez River and watched a couple of coyotes hunting way off in the distance other than this it was relatively quiet.
The East Fork of the Jemez River in the Valles Caldera.
The Gilman Tunnels were great to visit and the hike through the canyon but there were plenty of us people clogging up the views of the tunnels. If you are familiar with the latest “Lone Ranger” movie with Johnny Depp, then you have seen the tunnels.
Sun setting over the vertical rock walls of the Rio Guadalupe Canyon at the Gilman Tunnels.
Here’s a cell phone snap of the tunnels. Yep there are tunnels. The real beauty is the canyon.
Gilman Tunnels, NM.
Not much to say about this abandoned car along the Rio Puerco in Cuba, New Mexico, except that Pami spotted it as we drove by on the overpass. She insisted I should turn around, that I would like it, and I did!
Abandoned car along the Rio Puerco in Cuba, New Mexico.
Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco, NM has some nice sculptural adobe details that make for nice accents catching the late afternoon light.
Late after noon light at the Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco NM
Always prepared to look past the obvious I spotted this detail of an exquisite little ornament placed there by a visitor.
Devotional ornament at the Holy Trinity Church, Arroyo Seco, NM.
Last but not least. Nearly all images on my website are available as prints. I’m particularly proud of this black and white print of White House Ruin made in Canyon de Chelly a couple of years ago. It is available on my website now, click on the image below to select a size option.
White House Ruin made in Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
Warp, Reed, Loom, Weft. We spent almost three hours today at Tres Estrellas Designs in Taos, New Mexico. Our hosts, Chris and Carla Ferguson, regaled us with stories, anecdotes,wisdom and a wealth of knowledge on Hispanic and Indigenous Textiles of Old Mexico. They also have a large collection of Navajo weavings, including exquisite “Chiefs Blankets” from the 1800’s. There is also an original Edward S. Curtis photo gravure of “Navajo Riders in Canyon de Chelly”. I found a serape that I like very much. I might have to put that next camera on hold. Carla was working on the loom while we spoke. I put the camera into the loom for this image. Here’s Tres Estrellas Design’s Facebook page. If you have a moment please check it out. If you are in Taos and want to step into another world of textiles, visit the gallery at 208-A Ranchitos Rd. Taos, NM 87571. 575-7703262. I recommend it. Thanks for looking. G
Five day photography trip in Arizona, southeast Utah, northeastern New Mexico. We had a great week visiting Acoma, Canyon de Chelly, Valley of the Gods, Arches NP, Mesa Verde, Shiprock (pictured below) and Chaco Canyon.
It’s Spring and temperatures are starting to warm up with signs of the season beginning to show. Adobe architecture, blue skies with snow-capped peaks in pristine light make for stunning images. The night skies are crystal clear. The moon, constellations, galaxies and milky way light up the night sky like few other places on earth. Join me on a photo tour or private workshop into the landscape of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Photography Tours, and Workshops With Geraint Smith in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
Year-round, personal one-on-one photography tours/workshops
Geraint Smith Photography offers year-round, photo tours/workshops in a variety of locations to improve your photography skills with one on one personalized guidance. All of our photo tours/workshops are designed for photographers of all levels interested in improving their skills. If you’re looking for a hands-on guided experience to improve your photography or want to visit locations to enhance your photography portfolio, join me on a private photo tour/workshop into the valleys, canyons, and mountain villages or under the night skies of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Collections of Fine Art, exhibition quality, signed, prints using archival papers and inks. Stock Images and Commissions and one to five day photo tour/workshops, located in the beautiful high desert town of Taos and, New Mexico.
Explore the places that have been the inspiration for my photography for over 35 years. Join me on a photo tour/workshop or multi-day tour/workshop in the unique landscape of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Experience the places, architecture and culture of this enchanting and mystical corner of the world.
Over the years I have donated many images to non profits and charities here in New Mexico and around the world. If you are a non profit, a charity, or an individual with a cause and you would like me to consider supporting with a donation of images to augment your work, please email me or call 505-501-4880. Thank you for visiting.
Raptors of New Mexico - Purchase through University of New Mexico Press
The Southwest
The land I walked on informed my soul and uplifted my spirit; it seemed to speak to me, inviting me to be at home there; to discover there the wholeness for which my body mind and spirit, my whole being, yearned; walking that dry desert land was like wading in a stream that flowed over me and through me; the air was filled with a sense of mystery, of unlimited energy and of eternity; as I walked that land, I felt my mind set free, my heart rise, my spirit soar and like an eagle with outstretched wings I flew in and above that element which is my very life. Now I no longer walk that land, but there is, deep within my soul a nostalgia a longing to return and in recollection my spirit still travels there where I am whole again and at home within my own heart, for here I discover in myself the sacredness, of holy ground, that I knew when I walked that land and once again my spirit soars, my heart rejoices:
