Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
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On the rocks, in the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Beautiful shiny igneous rocks enhanced with deep shadows. A gorgeous winter’s day in our corner of paradise. Thanks for looking. G
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument at the Taos Junction Bridge in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area section. I’ve used this image as a photo of the day previously but if the proverbial you know what hits the fan we could loose some 27 National Monuments.
The status of 27 U.S. national monuments is being reconsidered. Leading nature photographers have created a free ebook to show you the beauty that’s at risk. See this spectacular land. Then raise your voice to save it.
I am one of the featured photographers. Check it out and thank you for looking
Land Almost Lost features the work of Tom Algire, Kevin Ebi, Michael Frye, Rick Kattelmann, Jerry Monkman, William Neill, Geraint Smith, Tom Till, Larry Ulrich and Matt Witt. All images are copyrighted work of the respective photographers.
[wp_cart:Rio Grande At Taos Junction 1603:price:[Available Sizes|8.5×11 inches $95,95|13×19 inches $155,155|17×22 inches $235,235|24×36 inches $475,475]:end]
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Today we made a drive in to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. On the west side of the Rio Grande Gorge the road meanders leisurely north to the Colorado border. Pronghorn, Elk and many birds accompany us along the way. Seasonal lakes, ancient causeways and abandoned dwellings are reasons to get out of the car and contemplate those who have passed this way. If you have a penchant for unobstructed views, no crowds, peace and quiet, solitude … shall I go on? Join me on a photo tour if this pristine environment is for you.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, the Rio Chama and the Orilla Verde in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
Sometimes I come across a photo I’d forgotten about but the moment I see it I instantly recall every detail, the environment surrounding me, the feeling and gratification of the moment. It also took me back remembering the many trips I’ve made to this area.
The picture was recently acquired to illustrate an “Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW)“. I hope you like it, and can feel the moment?
While looking for the above photo of the Rio Chama, I came across the following images in a sub-folder, all shot in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
The squirrel was tempting providence …
And the hunter …
More occupants of the canyon …
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal (Taos), NM. This week the Rio Grande Gorge in its summer finery and gorgeousness.
My hard drives frequently spin as I search for images to print or supply to art directors and clients. This week was no exception. I came up with a few select photos depicting the gorge that divides the plateau between east and west, with views from the rim and canyon, and the expansive vistas that capture the imagination and stir the soul.
If you miss this view below then you are probably asleep and should wake up or you’re driving at night.
If you prefer to take a detour off the main route you will see the following two locations.
As you ascend a steep dirt road you will encounter this grand view looking south. Remember to engage the parking break.
A short distance on the climb out of the canyon is the Vista Verde Trail. It will take you on a very pleasant hike through lava boulder fields and rocks adorned with indigenous petroglyph art.
… to a bench with an overlook of the Rio Grande.
The west rim trail takes you in a northerly direction on mostly level ground for about 10 miles. You’ll feel the cool breeze as it glances off the canyon walls and catch fabulous 360º sunsets.
Driving the 10 miles, if preferred, will bring you to the high bridge where US Highway 64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge.
Walking across the bridge looking to the north or south you’ll get wonderful views of the river. Looking east toward the mountains is pretty nice too!
On the same evening from the bridge, this happened.
On another occasion a rainbow over the chasm.
There have been many times I’ve traversed the bridge. It shakes a lot especially when semi-trucks cross it hauling full loads of gravel. Don’t let it prevent you from crossing it yourself, but don’t bother with a tripod. I didn’t.
Lastly, one of my favorite and most popular images was taken on a summer evening from the high bridge in 2009. A horizontal crop is on the cover of my book.
I hope you enjoyed the mini travelog this week. Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you around these locations.
Last week I made it to the summit of Gold Hill on my two new feet. 9.8 miles round trip and 3263 elevation gain to 12703′ at the summit. My knees were complaining but I wasn’t. We’ll do Wheeler Peak the highest point in NM (13163′) in a couple of weeks for something a little easier.
As always, thank you for looking. I hope you have a good week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Rio Grande Gorge, from its beginning to where it cuts deep into the canyon of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
If you look closely, you can see the cliffs of the Rio Grande gorge uplifting left of center. I refer to this spot as where the river meets the rift. From this point, the river travels south, never leaving the Rio Grande Gorge. At the deepest point, the river is over eight hundred feet below the canyon rim.
Below is a view of Ute Mountain with the Rio Grande as it makes its way through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Recreation Area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The sky and darkness in the canyon, with only the river and Ute Mountain, highlighted, made for a dramatic image. Click here for another view.
Heading home on a photo tour with Scott last week, I couldn’t resist another picture of the red barn in the San Luis Valley. The barn, accompanied by a brooding sky, called for a black-and-white photo. I know the barn won’t be standing for much longer. It’s already losing its siding and beginning to corkscrew. With the high winds making direct hits and randomly carting off planks of wood across plains, more and more light gets through the building. In the background are a large field of potato plants and a center-pivot irrigation machine.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
Apricot tree, winter colors, Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, NM. It’s beautiful and colorful along the Rio Grande, and a perfect time for a drive through the area. The red willows add warmth, contrasting with the snow on the branches. A splendid winter day in snowy northern New Mexico. Thanks for looking. G
“River Otter have been reintroduced to the Rio Grande and its tributaries in the last few years. Like the Beaver, Blue Heron, and numerous species of waterfowl that live in and along the water, Otters coexist alongside fly-fishing enthusiasts, boaters, and rafters. Families spending lazy days picnicking on the river banks and playing in the water often see Bighorn Sheep, the monarchs of the Gorge, patrolling the ramparts high above all the activities. As they graze on the sparse vegetation that grows in cracks and crevices high along the canyon walls, the Bighorns quickly blend into and become one with the vertical walls of rock. When startled, they move with sure-footed, nimble steps traversing rugged terrain with the speed at which we humans can only marvel.”
Excerpted from my book Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.
Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Fall colors were evident yesterday evening during the sunset before the stars came out. I was on my way to photograph the Milky Way with the river and reflections. Things didn’t turn out as planned but the lead up and time spent out under the New Mexico skies made it all worthwhile. Thanks for looking. G
Lobatos Bridge, spans the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. This was on my last photo tour, March 11, 2020. It was a beautiful day and a fitting end, for the time being, of what was ramping up to be a busy year for photo tour/workshops. I have wonderful clients and I’ve rescheduled a number of trips with other trips on hold. Pending the outcome of our current situation, I’ll be signing up trips again soon. If you’re considering a tour/workshop for 2021 please get in touch. In the meantime, I have books available, with many of the locations we visit included. Thanks, as always, for looking. G
