Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a few scenes from winter past. It was 64º F (17.5º C) yesterday. Tee shirt weather, almost. It got me thinking about the winters we’ve had in the past.
I pulled a few images I found while submitting 40 images for the New Mexico Treasures 2026 Calendar. I believe this year’s 2025 calendar has sold out.
The first image was shot in December 2005. The snow came and went, came and went again frequently that winter. It was a cold day but not cold enough to freeze the river. This image is one of my best sellers and one of the first digital vertical stitched panoramas I’ve made.
Winter Past in the Ranchos Valley was also shot in 2008 looking north to Taos Pueblo Mountain.
Ranchos Valley fields with Taos Pueblo Mountain.
This piñon pine tree stands out against the sky on the ridge descending from Bobcat Pass elevation 9820 feet (2,990 meters).
Tree on the ridge at Bobcat Pass.
Out the kitchen window in December 2013.
Blowing snow, San Cristobal, NM.
Just a few miles downstream from the Taos Junction Bridge in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is this scene, shot in December 2014. Sunny but very cold.
Orilla Verde Recreation Area.
A flock of Red-winged Blackbirds was shot in January 2016 in Arroyo Hondo across from the liquor store and market. This year we’ve had many larger flocks in our cottonwood and elm trees.
Red-winged Blackbirds, Arroyo Hondo NM.
Finally, the image below is not from a past winter but from May 1, 2016. It sure looked and felt like winter. Of course, the sun came out the next day and it vanished leaving muddy dirt roads and trails in its wake.
Arroyo Hondo Valley
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week on the Taos Plateau, a last shot today on an exhilerating photo tour with Scott Purdy. Sorry for the delay in posting… I spaced out what day it was.
I’m thinking of all my friends in Florida as I look at this cloud, and send love.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande in the Wild and Scenic Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Taos Mountain is preparing for winter and mountain biking in the Taos Ski Valley.
I love it when we visit this location, I feel sure you know it, and the shadows from the fast-moving clouds pass over the landscape creating numerous composition possibilities. I hope my clients get some images they want to share.
Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande.
This picture of Taos Mountain has been popping up recently. One of these days I’ll print one for myself and hang it on our living room wall. It will warm up the room as we settle into the colder seasons.
Taos Mountain, Pueblo Peak, Sunset.
I watched this guy head down a trail at the terrain park in Taos Ski Valley. I composited nine images to get the shot. It looks like he was out on a Sunday ride, not a mountain biking course. There’s a nice trail to hike nearby.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week, New Mexico Treasures 2025 Engagement Calendar. Again, I’m pleased to have my work in this long-running cultural calendar published by the State of New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department and produced by the Museum of New Mexico Press, which reprinted and distributed my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. This week a hike up Guadalupe Mountain in the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Last week we went down to the river. This week we hiked up to a vantage point that gave us views of the gorge and the Blanca massif in Colorado, a great view to accompany lunch. Unfortunately a smoky haze somewhat obscured the distant 14,000 + ft peaks. So instead we looked down, watching where we stepped for the morning emergence of rattlesnakes and bouquets of wildflowers.
Guadalupe Mountain, Wild Rivers Overlook, and Ute Mountain.
Indian Paintbrush were in abundance at the trailhead, individuals, and clusters.
Indian Paintbrush.
Indian Paintbrush, cluster.
At about 8500 ft above sea level the Indian Canyon Fleabane took over the nooks and crannies in the boulder fields to the summit overlook.
Indian Canyon Fleabane.
That was yesterday. Today I took a quick jaunt up a watery trail in the Hondo Canyon to check out the creek crossings. I didn’t get far. I left my hiking poles in the car. Below is a solitary wild Columbine. There were many more. I liked this single bloom glowing against the rock.
Wild Columbine, Italianos trail, Hondo Canyon.
A leafy green plant, Rowan I think, of which there were many.
Rowan plant on the Italianos Trail.
A spot on the creek running alongside the trail, not one of the crossing points, but a picturesque little falls.
Italianos Creek.
Lastly the Cottonwood in Arroyo Hondo, you know the one, in a sleet and hail storm last week. I got pelted and had to dive back into the car.
Cottonwood and Acequia (irrigation ditch), Arroyo Hondo, NM.
As always. Thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. This week a trip down the Big Arsenic Trail in the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. We visited springs, petroglyphs, and the river. I discovered a newfound energy I hadn’t had for several years. Later, a glimpse at a new magazine, “Enchanted Outpost” featuring a ten-page spread of my images with a Q&A of my work as a photographer. I am very grateful and honored to be featured in this premier issue which is getting a lot of attention for its fresh approach and wider marketing area. Many thanks to the publishers and owners, Scott and Heather Leuthold.
Before even beginning the hike down Big Arsenic Trail we paused to take in the impressive views from the rim. My hiking buddy can be seen enjoying the expansive views of the gorge from where he’s standing. I’m considering these hikes as scouting trips for future photography tours/treks. Here’s a map of the area should you want to go alone. One thing I can guarantee is that this is the trail that keeps on giving. The trail opens up views of more outstanding beauty around every turn. You won’t be disappointed. Join me on a photo trek into the gorge.
Big Arsenic Trailhead, NM.
The trail switchbacks 600ft down the canyon walls to the Rio Grande below. Naturally, that’s 600 feet climb back up. At 4.5 miles, it’s a pleasant day outing.
Rio Grande, NM
The springs are a beautiful and tranquil grotto and respite on the trail above the river.
Big Arsenic Spring.
Wild watercress at the springs, at least it was the last time I ate it.
Petroglyphs, Bighorn sheep, and Deer greeted us at one point on the trail. It’s a large rock perfectly situated where the ancient ones would easily see it.
Petroglyphs, bighorn sheep, and deer.
We think the upper left petroglyph is a crustacean, possibly a crawdad. Check out the amazing elk on the upper right.
Petroglyphs, deer, crawdad, and a beautiful elk.
Our lunch spot on the shiny, water-polished rocks alongside the river. Soon the water will be higher on the banks. We’ll be eating lunch somewhere else.
Rio Grande, NM
Not taken on this trip, the trail continues downstream for about two miles following the river meandering through ponderosa pines, oak, and red willows. to the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Red River.
The Rio Grande, NM.
If you’re fortunate to be here you can pick up a copy of Enchanted Outpost Magazine. You’ll find it in businesses and outlets throughout northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. It’s an outstanding publication. I think you’ll enjoy reading the in-depth articles and stories. Pick up a couple of copies and give one to a friend.
Below are a few spreads from the magazine. If you want to read more pick up or order a copy, click here to read the digital version online.
Enchanted Outpost Magazine Cover.
Enchanted Outpost Magazine.
Enchanted Outpost Magazine.
Enchanted Outpost Magazine.
As always, thank you for looking, comments, and compliments. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal NM. This week on the Petaca Point Trail, southwest of Taos.
When the only camera you have is a cellphone you make do. These few shots were taken on a hike last week. We’re going back on the Petaca trail tomorrow for what I’m hoping will be a Claret Cup Cactus superbloom. I’m taking a Sony camera on tomorrow’s hike. If you’re interested in this hike on the Petaca Point Trail it’s mostly flat with many expansive views of the mountains and river gorge.
I went to Pueblo, Colorado for a film festival last weekend. It was fun, and something different for me. On the way home I stopped at this favorite spot for this shot of the passing storm with Ute Mountain.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week features the day of April 17th from ten years of my archives.
I hope everyone had a good week. April has been beautiful in northern New Mexico,,, so far. I know I said I wouldn’t say anymore regarding my feet but I’m averaging 2-3 miles a day and getting 4-6 mile hikes in. I’m so happy with my two new feet.
Over the last month, my friend, David, and I have been hiking stretches of the road through the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument that traverses the gorge rim and skirts around the base of Ute Mountain. We have hiked a different section each week with the mountain always present, beckoning. All being well, this summer will culminate in an accent of Ute Mountain.
Back to the present that began in the past, here are pictures from April 17th taken from my photo of the day archive from 2006 to 2016.
Beginning in 2016 and working back to 2006. This day we had snow and I made this image. It makes a beautiful print. A couple of hours after taking this photo, the snow was all gone.
Willow tree lane, Arroyo Seco, April 2016.
A roadside Descanso, San Ildefonso, 2015. The internet says “Descansos are deeply rooted in Southwestern Hispanic culture. The word means “resting place” and is believed to refer to the days when coffins were transported by horse and cart or carried by hand over many miles for burial in a camposanto.”
Roadside Descanso, San Ildefonso, NM.
Some vistas around Taos have since been transformed… developed. 2014
Taos Mountain from El Prado, NM.
Here’s a shot of mine and Pami’s shadow in Arroyo Hondo on the drive home from Taos back in 2013.
Arroyo Hondo evening shadows, 2013.
Here’s a former living plant that grew out of a crack in a rock in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area of the now Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, 2012.
Rock brush, Orilla Verde, NM, 2012.
A ubiquitous Taos Raven. They are known to perch in ones or twos. This raven was probably calling for or waiting on its better half. 2011
Raven in a bare tree, Taos, 2011.
I’m still searching for the original high resolution file of this picture of Garetto Rivas, so I’ve added a higher resolution second image from the same day below this one. I’ve forgotten the name of his gorgeous blond horse. The second horse in tow and in training is named “Beauty”.
Garetto Rivas, a Taos Cowboy, 2010.
Garetto Rivas, Taos Cowboy, 2010.
The image below was scanned from a Kodachrome 64, transparency shot in the mid 1990’s and published on my website’s photo of the day archive on April 17, 2009.
Indian paintbrush, 2009.
Just around the corner from my former gallery in Arroyo Seco was a yoga studio festooned in Tibetan prayer flags. I recall shooting this one out of my car window in 2008.
Prayer flags in Arroyo Seco, NM. 2008.
I shot the image below in 1990 and published it on my website in 2007. It has since been published in a couple of local magazines.
Saint Francis church reflecting in my 1958 Volkswagen Beetle wing mirror, 2007.
On April 17, 2006 I paid a visit to the National Cemetery in Santa Fe NM. It’s the only time I’ve been there. Since then I usually post this image on social media on Memorial Day.
The National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. 2006
As always, thank you for looking. I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane. You can see more from my photo of the day archive here.
Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week a two-day photo tour around northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Nature and the elements gave up some wonderful photo opportunities, beginning with Taos Mountain and the iconic grove of cottonwoods.
On a photo tour of Taos and northern New Mexico.
The next stop on the photo tour was in Questa at an old house off the highway set back amongst some trees. I checked with a friend who said he would try and find me some information on this charming building and quiet setting.
House in Questa, NM.
Following a couple of stops en route, to photograph some wild horses, we wound up at this lake in the San Luis Valley. Moody and brooding skies were the order of the day.
Lake Tree, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Speaking of the skies. Highway 142 crosses the Rio Grande in Colorado between the old town of San Luis and Heading west to Manassa home of Jack Dempsey, the “Manassa Mauler”.
The sky over Highway 142, Colorado.
Continuing the photo tour, there is also a stark view of a very subdued Rio Grande from the road bridge as it crosses the river.
The Rio Grande from Highway 142, Colorado.
I came across some of last year’s milkweed pods enduring against the elements. Did I mention the frigid cold winds? My guests were admirably brave, and filled with enthusiasm for whatever conditions confronted us.
On the second day, we encountered a troupe of young Bighorn Sheep in the Orilla Verde area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument walking on the road ahead of us.
Bighorn Sheep Orilla Verde, NM.
We parked the car and followed uphill and enjoyed watching and photographing them in their prime, natural environment. I can’t help but think that the one in the middle is telling them to “gather round” and show us their best side!
Bighorn Sheep gathering Orilla Verde, NM.
There were many more picture opportunities. I had to stop at some point. If you are planning to be in the area this year, join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you around.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a trip to the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
The Wild Rivers Recreation Area lies north in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Below is pictured a ‘small’ part of it. Come this Spring, there will be some class 5 rapids in this section. You can see how relatively low the river is right now. This was Sunday. You can also discern the level at which the river can rise from this image. That’s Ute Mountain in the clouds with snow falling.
If you want to experience solitude, Wild Rivers will give you just that. Step into the Monument for a walk in falling snow, where you can hear the silence.
Wild Rivers, New Mexico.
“Adventuring out on a photography trip through the gorge and along the river during a winter storm, I am rewarded with images of large snowflakes alighting on cholla cactus, cottonwoods, and red willows, turning them into instant New Mexico-style Christmas ornaments. A great peace returns to the river at this time of year. The pace slows as the days grow shorter and life retreats within for what the Irish writer John O’Donohue refers to as “the secret work of winter” of restoration and rejuvenation as the river ecosystems prepare for the ecstasy of spring growth. In any season the beauty and pristine stillness of the Rio Grande del Norte is available to those who visit.” From my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.
To the south lies the deepest section the the Rio Grande Gorge. This is where the Bighorn Sheep roam and sometimes play!
Bighorn Sheep Ram… peekaboo.
Or rest up on a sunny ledge.
Bighorn Sheep Lamb on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim.
It’s that time of year in the National Monument. Spring is sprung!
Bighorn Sheep Ram and Ewe.
And above it all, another unique cloud formation.
Cloud formation over the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail.
I have to end this week with this sky-blue mural with sunflowers and an ornate window in Los Cerrillos that I forgot to post last week.
Mural, Los Cerrillos, NM.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
