Rainbows, Elk, Art Bus, July 6, 2022

Geraint July 6, 2022 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, the place for rainbows this week.

The skies turned almost black this week and brought more much-needed rain. We’ll take it! Being prepared for rainbows with one eye on the western sky, I saw a small opening in the clouds for the sun to work its magic on the landscape. It was still raining enough to get wet and just the right amount to make this rainbow happen. I thoroughly enjoyed standing out in the light and rain for ten minutes. Who doesn’t love rainbows?

Rainbows, Taos Mountain, New Mexico — Rainbows in San Cristobal with Taos Mountain lower center.

At the apex of the rainbow in the image, multiple ‘supernumerary rainbows’ or ‘supernumerary bands’s are visible. Below is the close-up.

Supernumerary rainbows or supernumerary bands, San Cristobal — Detail of ‘supernumerary rainbows’ or ‘supernumerary bands’ in the clouds.

Earlier this year, I met up with my friend Larry for a trip to Abiquiu. I hauled an elk skull and antlers in the back of my 4 Runner. It is large and just fitted in there. I wanted to share a photo opportunity with Larry and create a Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired image. I chose to make an image of what Georgia may have encountered when she came across the remains before she sketched and painted them.

The artist who created this outdoor art installation has been parked for a couple of weeks along the roadside in El Prado. On this day, I noticed that the painting of Jesus featured prominently front and center. He is juxtaposed with an alien and spaceship, accompanied by artworks of native American icons, two more dead guys, musicians Jerry Garcia and Jim Morrison, and a bevy of buxom women. Hallelujah!

Art Bus in El Prado, Taos, NM — The ‘Art bus’ roadside vendor in El Prado, Taos, NM.

Here’s an image of the fox that visited a few weeks ago. He was moving quickly, and the picture is blurry though it does depict the fleeting moment it happened despite being unable to grab the camera more rapidly.

Fox, San Cristobal — Fox, (lock up your chickens), in the field, San Cristobal.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this week’s tour around the block, thank you for looking. G

Osprey, Fort Union, Bison Petroglyphs, Lightning, Road Tripping

Geraint August 4, 2021 12 Comments

I went to visit the Osprey a couple of times on tours over the last few weeks. This is the mom and three chicks. They are growing healthy and wise. Dad was off in the top of an old cottonwood tree, striking a stately pose and keeping a watchful eye on things. The second image below is a close-up.

Female Osprey and three chicks — Female Osprey (left) and three chicks on a nesting platform, Chama, NM

Osprey and three chicks — Female Osprey with three healthy chicks on a nesting platform, Chama, NM

A photo tour last week took us to Las Vegas, Fort Union National Monument, and Wagon Mound, all stops on the Santa Fe Trail. I’ve been to the fort many times. This time, my client Michael, and I had the place to ourselves. There were some park service employees rebuilding and fortifying the walls. They don’t count. And no rattlesnakes this time either!

Fort Union National Monument, NM — The Mechanics Corral at Fort Union National Monument

I pulled this image of the American Bison a while back. I thought it would make a nice effect to overlay it on a petroglyph panel. The petroglyphs are in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The animals depicted are deer and bighorn sheep.

Bison and Petroglyphs — American Bison overlaid on a petroglyph panel.

We’ve had some fabulous storms during this summer’s monsoon season, and along with it, some incredible lightning shows. Here’s one from the deck a short while ago. I don’t have to go far for a view and dramatic weather. Some of the strikes got so close my hair stood on end. My wife, Pami said I started to glow.

Lightning strikes San Cristobal — Lightning strikes on the ridge, San Cristobal, NM

Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you some of my favorite places we visit.

4 Runner, Arroyo Blanco — Parked, while we photograph in Arroyo Blanco, Abiquiu, New Mexico.

As always, thank you for looking. G

The Valley, The Desert

Geraint April 14, 2021 22 Comments

The valleys are beginning to show signs of green. The desert has water running through it. The light illuminates the many forms and geology of the area.

San Luis Valley tree and clouds — Cloud formations with a complimentary tree.

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico — As they say, “a river runs through it” in Ghost Ranch, NM

Arroyo Blanco formations — Many intriguing rock formations in Arroyo Blanco, Abiquiu, New Mexico

I’m never at a loss for places to explore in this area. Thanks for looking. Stay well. G

Outdoor Living, New Mexico Style

Geraint February 14, 2020 4 Comments

Outdoor living, “New Mexico Style” in Arroyo Blanco, Abiquiu. Following another photo shoot in the area, we happened upon this junk deposited in a dry arroyo. There is an abundance of trash dumped here by lazy people. It’s a serious issue, a blight on the otherwise stunning landscape. The only thing missing..? an empty bottle of Bud Light, the beer of choice for low lives! There’s a truckload of bud bottles in another arroyo close bye. We tried to make light of it all with this set up. Thanks for looking. G

On Location, In ‘Old’ New Mexico

Geraint February 10, 2020 10 Comments

On location, in Arroyo Blanco, the Rio Grande Gorge Rim and San Cristobal, New Mexico. This is the latest photo shoot in collaboration with Tres Estrellas Design of Taos to recreate a glimpse of their exquisite textiles, in historical context, within the familiar landscape of New Mexico we all know today. Keep your eye out for their ad in El Palacio Magazine next month featuring the last image in this series. Thanks for looking and enjoy. G

Revisiting and re-imagining the Spaghetti Western with authentic weapons and serapes from the actual period.

Aggregate Diamond Saltillo Serape circa 1875 paired with model 1873 Winchester rifle and Colt Single Action Army (SAA) Pistol both chambered in .38-40 cartridges, (.38 WCF) photographed in Arroyo Blanco, the other “White Place” Abiquiu, New Mexico.

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Classic Rio Grande blanket circa 1850-60s paired with a late Sam Hawken Rifle photographed on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim with Taos Mountain as a backdrop.

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Navajo Moki Serape circa 1860-70’s photographed on the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim paired with a late Sam Hawken Rifle and entitled “Bound for Dine ‘tah”

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Classic Rio Grande Blanket circa 1850-60s paired with a late Sam Hawken Rifle Photographed in the Sangre de Cristo foothills north of San Cristobal, New Mexico.

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Saltillo Serape circa 1870’s photographed on the rocks in Piedra Lumbre (Shining Rocks) Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

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Early transitional Rio Grande blanket circa 1875 photographed in the the “White Place”

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THE END

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Arroyo Blanco

Rainbows, Elk, Art Bus, July 6, 2022

Greetings from San Cristobal, the place for rainbows this week.

Osprey, Fort Union, Bison Petroglyphs, Lightning, Road Tripping

The Valley, The Desert

Outdoor Living, New Mexico Style

On Location, In ‘Old’ New Mexico