Red Willow Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo
Red Willow, Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo. On a snowy New Mexico afternoon we took a drive around the neighborhood. The red willows were glowing warm along an acequia (irrigation ditch) that runs through the valley. The day was shrouded mostly in shades of grey, until we came across this scene. I love where we live. We get to drive through scenery like this on our commute. Thanks for looking. G
Sangre De Cristo Mountains, Last Light
Sangre De Cristo Mountains, last light from the Arroyo Hondo Valley, NM. On the drive home this evening we pulled over a few times. When the sun had set, the light levels on the mountains gave “twilight” a whole new meaning. Thanks for looking. G
Pinyon Jay, Arroyo Hondo, NM
Pinyon Jay, Arroyo Hondo, NM. On the road last week a large flock of Pinyon Jays exploded out of the sage. This one hung out for a few shots and then peeled off the post in a flash and headed west after the rest of the flock. Thanks for looking. G
Hawk Tree, Arroyo Hondo, NM
Hawk tree, Red-tailed Hawk in Arroyo Hondo, NM. Our resident Red-tailed, frequents three locations. A high cottonwood with a view of the east and west valleys. This tree, with a more specific view of the meadows, supplemented with an old snag on the opposing, west side of the highway with grand coverage of the marsh lands and horse pastures. If these are the only places, then it has got the valley covered. I’m sure it knows more than I do. Thanks for looking. G
Fog Bow On The Arroyo Hondo Mesa
Fog bow on the Arroyo Hondo Mesa. I saw the potential for some good morning fog images, I didn’t expect this. As I decided to turn around and head home it began to manifest. You can read more on fog bows or fogbows here. Thanks for looking. G
Happy Valentines Day
Happy Valentines Day. Heart on the old gas station in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. I was thinking about subject matter for an art project. When I drove by this building, I got an appropriate photo of the day and a few other shots for my art project. Seven years with my love. Have a great Valentines day with your loved ones. Thanks for looking. G
Water And Power, NM Style
Water and Power, NM Style, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. I pass it almost every other day. It appeals to me. Rustic and so New Mexico! Thanks for looking. G
Icicles Our Lady of Sorrows, Arroyo Hondo, NM
Icicles, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Arroyo Hondo, NM. Nice drapery, apron, curtain of icicles around the whole roof line and found on a drive around the block today. Most of the roads were clear. The Hondo/Seco road down the hill in to the valley not so much. Four wheel drive and low gear. This was the payoff. Thanks for looking. G
Prayer Flags With Crescent Moon
Prayer flags with the crescent moon this evening over Arroyo Hondo, NM. A crystal clear sky with the waxing moon. Such a beautiful, simple composition, nothing wanting or lacking. Thanks for looking. G
Arroyo Hondo Valley, Evening Light
Arroyo Hondo Valley, evening light. It makes sense that the village of Arroyo Hondo is in this gorgeous valley if for no other reason than the beautiful cottonwoods, mountains and the light. The village is just beyond the cottonwoods to the right. I frequently check out this view on the drive home or when heading into town. Thanks for looking. G
Red-Winged Blackbird On The Cattails
Red-winged Blackbird on the cattails in Arroyo Hondo, NM. A pair of Red-winged Blackbirds can raise 2-3 broods per season. They build a new nest each time. This ensures that the nest remains free from parasites that could ultimately kill the baby birds. And… they build them in the cattails here along the Rio Hondo in northern New Mexico. Thanks for looking. G
Red Willow, Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo
Red willow and a cottonwood on the hill in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. I posted a photo of this same scene on November 1st. The snow fall was a lot heavier yesterday in the image below. In this image the red willows have taken on a luminous glow. The red willows willows are abundant throughout Taos County. Taos Pueblo is the home of the Red Willow People. Come visit! Thanks for looking. G
Colors Of Fall In The Arroyo Hondo Valley
Colors of fall in the Arroyo Hondo Valley, northern New Mexico. Although I pass this spot on the map almost every day, most certainly when I go into town, it’s a joy to see the colors begin to intensify each fall to their absolute peak. Similarly, watching them fade slowly to the other end of the fall color spectrum is equally noteworthy. It has been an incredible fall in northern New Mexico and it’s not over yet. Ask anyone you meet, they’ll agree. I hope you do, and thank you, as always, for looking. G
Gate But No Fence … Yet
Gate but no fence … yet, in the village of Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. There’s a beautiful little acequia runs through this property just behind the gate. I can just discern the outline of it. While I was taking the picture, the owner emerged from his home with and inquisitive, watchful, eye from behind the screen door. I told him, “We are admiring your gate, and can’t wait to see the fence!” He was amiable regarding our curiosity. I think he is proud of the gate and chained it to the posts so no one will steal it. Good luck to anyone who tries it. Or it, the gate, being made of mostly steel was, in all probability, holding up the posts. Image filed under local oddities. Thanks for looking. G
Three Lightning Strikes
Three Lightning Strikes from the Hondo Mesa. We didn’t quite expect this on a drive out this evening. Pami and I headed south a little, to the village of Arroyo Hondo, where I made some images of a very large shaft of sunlight, slashing across the western sky. It was very impressive in itself. But when I got home in front of the computer I saw these shots of three lightning strikes in the sunset rains. There were enough other images for future postings. As always, thanks for looking and taking the time to enjoy my work and posts. G
Red-Tailed Hawk, Arroyo Hondo
Red-Tailed Hawk, Arroyo Hondo, NM. Every now and then I like to revisit Poet Laureate Ted Hughes Poem, “Hawk Roosting” You can read it below. Thanks for looking. G
I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet:
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.
The convenience of the high trees!
The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s ray
Are of advantage to me;
And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.
My feet are locked upon the rough bark.
It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather:
Now I hold Creation in my foot
Or fly up, and revolve it all slowly –
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body:
My manners are tearing off heads –
The allotment of death.
For the one path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right:
The sun is behind me.
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change.
I am going to keep things like this.
— Ted Hughes