Fine Art Images from the American Southwest
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Chevrolet truck with a view of Ute Mountain. Find an old truck, with a view out the windshield, stick the camera in the cab, get it all framed up, include the prerequisite spider of a crack in the windshield for full authenticity. The nice condition of the cab interior finishes it off. And yep! … there you have it! Thanks for looking. G
Red barn San Luis Valley with Ute Mountain. The barn was very red all over, and now sits there hosting hawks, owls and the occasional photographer, and fading to a wonderful patina fitting of all old barns out there.
Ute Mountain twilight, heading home from Colorado, south to San Cristobal, NM this evening. The sight of Ute Mountain is a beacon on the horizon. It acknowledges, that at this point, it’s only forty minutes to home. Not far now!
Ute Mountain emerges from the clouds after last weekend’s snow storm. Ute Mountain is north of Taos on the road to Colorado and often appears protruding, fin like, moving through the clouds. It also creates it’s own weather system. I’ve often seen rain and snow falling solely on the dome of this extinct volcano, a major geological feature in the Taos Volcanic Field/Plateau. Here’s another image of Ute.
Adobe Route, Free Climbing Pigeons. “I got this… I got this!” at the St. Francis Church Ranchos de Taos, NM. I’m guessing here… perhaps they were eating seeds they discovered in the mud or bits of gravel for their crop. One thing I’m certain about, as I watched them work their way up the building, flying would have been the easier route to take. Thanks for looking. G
Hello from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week. It’s raining here today. We are very happy about that. This week, more random selections from the archives, including the San Luis Valley, El Rito (west), and northern New Mexico.
I hope you enjoy!
Random selections from bygone days.
Near the house in the photo above, is owl nest on a platform of sticks in a potato bunker. Initially, I thought it might be a magpie or hawk nest, but then an owl flew directly over my head from another part of the building and out through the entrance. Over the years, I’ve seen more owls in different bunkers, alas no pictures, yet.
On a different trip these two juvenile great horned owls were seen in a tree close bye to the bunker..
In the San Luis Valley of Colorado, potato storage bunkers/cellars play a crucial role in preserving the region’s abundant potato harvests. These bunkers are specially designed facilities that maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels to extend the shelf life of potatoes, preventing spoilage and sprouting. The valley’s high altitude and arid climate make it an ideal location for potato farming, and the storage bunkers ensure that the produce can be stored for months, allowing farmers to supply fresh potatoes year-round. These structures are often partially underground, leveraging the earth’s natural insulation properties to maintain a stable environment, which is essential for maintaining the quality and nutritional value of the potatoes.
Railway depot in Romeo, Colorado.
A faded flag emblem on the side of a carriage at the Alamosa, railyards. Maybe I’ll make a post on images from the railyards soon.
A favorite image and print from a location near the Great Sand Dunes NP and Preserve in Colorado.
The El Rito Mansion, on a Spring photo tour/workshop. Since this photo was taken, I’ve been in touch with the family and relatives who grew up here.
At the end of a good day of shooting, the soft twilight, on the Rio Grande Gorge, and Ute Mountain, NM. A hand held image shot in near darkness and lightened in Photoshop® to bring out the lavendar hues and highlight on the river.
New growth on a pine tree in Arroyo Seco, NM. The new growth on the branches are a lighter green than the rest of the tree. Edited as a black and white image, this is what I came up with.
As always, thanks for visiting and looking. Have a great week. G
Hello from San Cristobal, NM. I hope everyone had a great week.
This week, I’m revisiting a trip to Shiprock and beyond, including Chaco Canyon, and the High Road to Taos.
Shiprock.
“The Shiprock formation, located in northwestern New Mexico, is a dramatic and iconic geological feature that rises prominently from the desert landscape. This towering rock formation is the eroded remnant of a volcanic neck, formed around 27 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. It consists primarily of minette, a type of volcanic rock, and stands at approximately 1,583 feet above the surrounding terrain. Shiprock is the central core of what was once a much larger volcano, with its distinctive shape resulting from millions of years of erosion that stripped away the softer outer layers, leaving the harder volcanic core exposed. Radiating from the central spire are dikes, long walls of volcanic rock that were formed as magma intruded into cracks and solidified. Shiprock’s striking appearance and geological significance make it a subject of interest for geologists and a symbol of natural beauty in the region.”
Chaco Canyon.
“Chaco Culture National Historical Park, located in northwestern New Mexico, is a significant archaeological site that preserves the remnants of an ancient Puebloan civilization. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its monumental public and ceremonial buildings, distinctive architecture, and complex road systems, which were constructed between AD 850 and 1250. The Chacoans developed sophisticated astronomical knowledge, as evidenced by the alignment of their structures with solar and lunar cycles. The park encompasses a vast area of canyons and mesas, offering insights into the social, economic, and spiritual life of the Chacoan people. Today, it serves as a vital link to understanding the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of the American Southwest.”
Fajada Butte in the shade and shadows of a ramada picnic shelter. Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Birds (Pigeons), waiting for the man who feeds them in Ranchos de Taos.
Magpie, because she/he was there.
High Road to Taos.
“The High Road to Taos is a scenic byway in northern New Mexico that stretches approximately 56 miles, connecting the city of Santa Fe to the town of Taos. This picturesque route winds through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering breathtaking views of rugged landscapes, lush forests, and charming, historic villages. Along the way, travelers can explore traditional adobe architecture, visit centuries-old Spanish colonial churches, and experience the rich cultural heritage of the region’s Hispanic and Native American communities. Notable stops include the artistic enclave of Chimayó, known for its renowned Santuario de Chimayó, and the village of Truchas, which offers stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains. The High Road to Taos is celebrated for its vibrant arts scene, local crafts, and the opportunity to immerse oneself in the unique blend of cultures that define northern New Mexico.”
Gramma grass.
“Gramma grass refers to a group of grasses in the genus Bouteloua, which are native to the Americas. These grasses are particularly common in the prairies and plains of North America. The most well-known species is blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), which is a dominant grass in the shortgrass prairie ecosystem.”
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G