Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Rainbow, Mountain Clouds, Bighorn Sheep. 05-31-2023.

Greetings from San Cristobal, the valley, and beyond. This week a fleeting rainbow makes an appearance. The morphing mountain clouds put on a show. Bighorn sheep show off their stature, and a sweet little dove preens itself in the garden.

The storms here move quickly. They say the best camera is the one you have on you. In this instance, it was the iPhone. I was sure to get as many shots as possible before popping into the house to get the big Sony. By the time I got back outside, the rainbow had vanished. The clouds still looked stunning, but those were gone very soon after. Sometimes I think nature has a way of taunting us or at least attempt’s to keep us alert and on our toes. Not from the deck this time but a few steps into the meadow.

Mountain Rainbow, San Cristobal, NM
Mountain Rainbow, San Cristobal, NM.

The clouds spent the morning building into the afternoon canyon and ridge formations. Changes occur in no time at all. As they say in the Southwest, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” I have plenty of time to look and time to stare, which reminds me of a poem my friend Martin would occasionally recite.

Taos Mountain clouds
Taos Mountain clouds.

Leisure.

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.


William Henry Davies

Building storm clouds
Morphing clouds, San Cristobal.

A couple of days later, this pastoral evening scene happened. I could watch it from my deck chair. I had to move to get this photo, but not that much.

Taos Mountain clouds
Clouds over the north flanks of Taos Mountain.

I’d heard reports of these three a week before this photo. I was surprised to see them on my drive through the canyon last week. The cold weather we have experienced for a few weeks made them stay put. They have fresh grass and a dirt mound, with a fortress-like view, in all directions. They weren’t bothered by me or others but seemed to enjoy the company and attention.

Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge Rim trail
Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge Rim Trail.

I know they are an introduced species, and we have both Eurasian-collared Doves and Mourning Doves in the garden. This one immigrant put on a show last week on the fence post. I enjoyed watching it.

Eurasian-collared Dove
Eurasian-collared Dove preening itself.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. As always thanks for looking. See you next week. G

20 thoughts on “Rainbow, Mountain Clouds, Bighorn Sheep. 05-31-2023.”

  1. So good to see you last week… the trip was filled with constantly shifting skies, and I will be working for quite awhile to sort through all the images.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Hi Gary. Thanks for taking the time to visit and the magazines. It was great to meet you in person and your friend Elizabeth. I enjoyed your pictures on FB. I look forward to seeing you again on another trip. Have fun editing. G

      Reply
    • The sheep are posers. They are at the least cooperative, the clouds cooperated also that day. Thanks so much, Mary. G

      Reply

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