Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Abiquiu Lake

Home on the Hill, Cerro Pedernal, Black and Whites

We had some snow last night, about three inches in our neighborhood. Not a huge amount but a very welcome amount. I went out early this morning to catch this scene of an old adobe home on the hill in the San Cristobal Valley.

Home on the Hill
Home on the hill, San Cristobal.

Last week I was on a Photo Tour/Workshop with two clients in the Rio Chama Valley. There was no wind and Abiquiu Lake was reflecting Cerro Pedernal very nicely. We wandered down to the rocks surrounding the lakeshore for the shot. I like the way his image looked in black and white, almost like a drawing. Cerro Pedernal means flint hill, the place where indigenous people collected obsidian for their weapons.

Cerro Pedernal reflections, Abiquiu Lake
Abiquiu Lake reflecting Cerro Pedernal, (flint peak).

While in Abiquiu, we visited the ruin of Santa Rosa de Lima, one of my favorite locations on the banks of Rio Chama. Like planets, the shadows aligned perfectly.

Santa Rosa de Lima ruin
Santa Rosa de Lima, gate and shadows.

There’s always time for a visit to the iconic Saint Francis Church in Ranchos de Taos, arguably the most photographed church in the world. Because I visit this place often I know where the shadows fall at different times of day and seasons. This was mid December at 8:33 in the morning.

Saint Francis Church Shadows
Saint Francis Church Shadows

I came across this photo of the red barn from last summer, it felt like yesterday, that’s probably because I’m in the San Luis Valley every couple of weeks. I liked the geometric composition of this image.

Red Barn in Black and White
Red Barn in black and white San Luis Valley, Colorado.

Last but not least, below is the full panorama of the wolfmoon rising. I wanted to take a few days to put it together and work up a print file. If you would like a print and have a large space to fill please get in touch.

Wolf Moon Sangre de Cristo mountains
Wolf Moon over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains full panorama.

Have a great week. I hope it’s beautiful where you are. As always, thanks for looking. G

Cottonwood, Willows, Abiquiu Movie Set, Petroglyph Panels

Every time I go to town I pass this scene and often make an image documenting it at various times of day and in different seasons. It’s definitely a favorite on the drive, and I always slow down for a look. Sorry to all the other drivers rushing to or from work!

Cottonwood and willows
Cottonwood and Willows, Arroyo Hondo, NM

I posted a few images of this mini church from the Ghost Ranch movie set before. In the second image, I got an angle from the front with the door open, revealing the cross on the sanctuary wall. I added the candlelight for effect, after all, it is a movie set. I had fun playing in Photoshop® this week.

Movie set church at Ghost Ranch
Movie set church at Ghost Ranch, NM
Movie set church at Ghost Ranch
Movie set church at Ghost Ranch, NM with added ambiance.

Pami and I made a short trip out to Abiquiu Lake last weekend. I’m grateful for all the photographer clients I was able to introduce to this area over the last couple of months. So after a dozen or so visits to Abiquiu, it was time for a personal day out.

Cerro Pedernal, Abiquiu, Lake
Cerro Pedernal with Abiquiu Lake.

Check out these petroglyph panels along the Rio Grande, in Velarde, NM. My particular favorite is the “pink panther” lower left!

Petroglyph panels
Petroglyph panels along the Rio Grande, in Velarde, NM

Join me on a Photo Tour Workshop and I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite locations.

As always. Thank you for stopping in and looking. Stay well. G

Under The Rocks At Abiquiu Lake

Under the rocks Abiquiu Lake with Cerro Pedernal as the backdrop. It’s a wonderful shady spot under these rocks with the breeze coming off the lake to cool the 100 degree temperatures down. No need to rush off yet! In all the times I’ve visited here, I’ve always enjoyed the view out across the lake to Georgia O’Keeffe’s mountain, so I’d not seen the hand glyphs overhead, in the top left corner, until this visit. I’ve searched for the origin of the hands online but haven’t come up with anything yet. I’ve added an image below. They look like wet palm prints from the kids jumping off the rocks into the lake below me, but they are permanent in the rock. If I find out more I’ll add it to this blog. Thanks for looking. G

Under The Rocks Abiquiu Lake

Under The Rocks At Abiquiu Lake

Cerro Pedernal Vignette, Abiquiu Lake

Cerro Pedernal vignette through the rocks at Abiquiu Lake. Spent an hour here last week working on this study. Looking forward to making more images from this location. Thanks for looking. G

Cerro Pedernal Vignette