Greetings from San Cristobal Valley. Winter is beginning to settle in, with temperatures dropping to single digits and a decent amount of snow. Not at all the amount we are used to, but we’ll take it.
Last week, on my way home, I just had to pull over to watch the shadows move through our valley. Ten years ago, I shot this same scene. It became the centerpiece in our galley and home and has been a best seller since then. I don’t think I could ever top it though I keep trying. As you can see, the foreground is overgrown, with the meadow obscured.
Here is the same view, one of my iconic images from ten years ago. Here is the same location in fall 2020.
That cottonwood and willows in Arroyo Hondo, I can’t seem to pass this spot without making an image.
Early one morning this week I went south to the adobe mission church of Saint Francis in Ranchos de Taos. This iconic building always looks good with accents of snow and a dramatic sky. One important feature of this image… I arrived in time to get a photo before the parking area filled with cars.
Below is an image from December 2010 on the road that connects the villages of Arroyo Hondo and Arroyo Seco. When I had my gallery in Arroyo Seco I drove this route most days. It’s a sweet country road with close-up views of the surrounding mountains. It is an especially beautiful, and magical drive when the hoar frost covers the trees and landscape.
If you plan to visit New Mexico this year and have a desire to improve your photographic skills, and see locations off the beaten track, look me up and consider a photography tour/workshop. I’ll look forward to meeting and working with you in some of my favorite places in the area.
As always, thank you for looking. G
18 thoughts on “San Cristobal Valley, Winter, Ranchos de Taos. 01-18-2023”
So gorgeous, as always. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art. 💙
Thank you Patrice. I appreciate your compliments. G
🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Thank you, Mara. G
Geraint, in one of the pictures there is something silver in the upper right portion of the pick. Can you tell me if I am seeing something other than my imagination.
What is the price of the photograph of the church in Rancho de Taos?
Hi Carole. I don’t see what you are seeing. Could be snow on the mountain.
8×12 $105. 10×15 $155 on the st Francis church.
If you can point to the object you are referring to send a screenshot to me. Thank you, Carole. G
Hi Geraint, thank you for sharing! The pictures of a cluster of trees remind me of a home. I would love to see a photo of the beauty you wake up to at your home, so I could understand more about what it is like to live in New Mexico. Wales itself is a beautiful place, and I can imagine you were very inspired to live there as well. I had a friend in high school who was a postgraduate from Caerphilly, but never got a chance to visit. She came out here to visit me in Colorado, and thought America would be like “Dawson’s Creek.” Much to her chagrin, we do not all look like Katie Holmes and have beach bonfires every night. Best, Alexis
Thank you so much, Alexis. Thank you for sharing your story. I left wales when I was ten, but I’m always drawn to the mountains. Click on this link for more pictures from the San Cristobal valley.
https://geraintsmith.com/?s=san+cristobal
Enjoy. G
With those deep shadows and strong light I’d expect Taos Society of Artist member Buck Dunton to be painting nearby. Maybe he was there – 100 years ago.
Time being non linear we may have been standing shoulder to shoulder last week. Thank you, Dan. G
Thank you Geraint ~ Your magnificent photos immerse me in Taos that I love and miss❣️
Gale
Los Angeles
Thank you so much, Gale. I am glad to help with images of Taos to help keep you in touch. Stay well and healthy. G
Such wonderful images. I treasure our time there. Happy to several of your images. Your Burch St. tree scape Cathedral shot is at our local framer. Take care and thank you for and making your work available to the public.
Thank you, Jim, I really appreciate your kind words and purchases. I hope to see you at some point in the future. Best wishes my friend. G
We spend the summers in Questa…and work part-time in Red River. This area of our planet is magical in every sense of the word. You have truly captured the soul of Northern NM. Thank you for seeing the beauty and using your incredible gift to share it with us. Your work brings peace and harmony to a fractured world.
Thank you, Vanette, I really appreciate your kind thoughts, and compliments, and for checking in. I hope you are well and looking forward to this summer in the mountains. Best wishes. G
The church photo and the Arroyo Seco road photo are both brilliant. Your NM state tourist board should have them both!
Always grateful to you for checking in, your insights, and your compliments, Bob. Thank you so much. G