Bearded Iris, Arroyo Hondo, Ramada, May 25, 2022.

Geraint May 25, 2022 14 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, a week when the rains came and the bearded iris opened in its striking glory.

Down in the Arroyo Hondo Valley, the rain clouds came and opened up not only here but on the fires bringing cooler temps and much-needed relief for the firefighters around the state. So I thought of a celebratory picture of one of our beautiful bearded iris with raindrops against a backdrop of rain and reflections on the windowpane.

Bearded Iris with raindrops San Cristobal — Bearded Iris in the rain in the garden, San Cristobal, NM

I’ve photographed this scene many times in all seasons. You may remember it. It is fast becoming my equivalent of Monet’s “haystack” series.

Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood Willows Acequia — Cottonwood and willows along the Acequia in Arroyo Hondo, NM

The ramada below was something I came across many years ago and found it again digging in my archives this week. I like the minimalist simplicity, which was what caught my eye. The clouds and sky helped set the scene off.

Ramada, Santa fe, NM — Ramada on the road in Galisteo, NM

I’m happy to post a couple of uplifting images this week after the doomsday-looking pictures of the fire over the past few weeks.

As always, thank you for looking. I look forward to seeing you here a gain next week. Have a great week. G

Snow Day, Snow Week

Geraint February 17, 2021 20 Comments

I hope you are enjoying winter. I know some of our neighbor states are getting weather they don’t normally experience. Stay safe and warm where you are. Here are some images from a trip around the extended neighborhood this week.

The first image may look familiar to many people as I stop here often in Arroyo Hondo on the drive to and from home and Taos.

Red Willows and cottonwood tree — Red Willows, Cottonwood Tree.

The sun came out on the way home today and the landscape looked pristine. Here’s my favorite “stretch gate” and farm road.

Stretch gate, Hondo Mesa — Stretch Gate, Farm Road

A stretch gate in San Cristobal on my morning walk yesterday.

Stretch gate San Cristobal — Gate and Snow, San Cristobal

Martina’s Hall, formally Old Martinez Hall directly west of the Saint Francis church in Ranchos de Taos, has some nice lines accented by the snow.

Martina's Hall Ranchos de Taos — Martina’s Hall, Ranchos de Taos.

The beautiful mission church of San Francisco de Asis in Ranchos de Taos.

A view of the church in a location I’ve not shot before. The morning sunlight breaking through the clouds caught my eye from highway 68 which runs through Ranchos de Taos.

In San Cristobal this morning our garden Buddha wore his full snow blanket. The snow is still coming down as I write. We are warm and cozy with the wood stove filling the room with a golden glow as well as heat. From the sofa we can watch the snow falling all around the valley.

Thanks for looking and have a great week. G

Sun, Fire Smoke, Wind, Taos Valley And Beyond

Geraint September 8, 2020 10 Comments

Sun and fire smoke with wind across the Taos Valley and beyond. A few images from yesterday evening when smoke from Colorado, California and New Mexico filled the skies over most of the state. I had fun finding locations most of which I’m very familiar with so it wasn’t too difficult. Rather apocalyptic looking. Stay safe, be well and thanks for looking. G

Arroyo Hondo, Lightning, High Desert, Green Pastures

Geraint July 19, 2020 6 Comments

Arroyo Hondo, lightning, in the high desert and green pastures. As Monty Python would say, “and now for something completely different!” Today we had a good downpour, although I would have liked it to have continued for a couple more hours at least. Always on the look out for a rainbow, I settled for a lightning strike instead. This is one of my favorite times of year, especially when my dry sinuses along with the landscape moisten, clear up and we both begin to breathe easier. The scent of wet sage on the air is a sensation to die for. Ask any New Mexican. Thanks for looking. G

American Kestrel, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico

Geraint April 3, 2020 4 Comments

American Kestrel, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. This beautiful creature embodies spirit. Fear? none of it, I’m sure. I’ve watched and photographed these birds for a couple of decades. I wish to return as a kestrel. Perhaps I already am, and Geraint is a figment of my imagination. Thanks for looking. Be tenacious, stay well and be safe. Thanks for looking. G

Full Moon Setting Over The Coyote Fence

Geraint February 9, 2020 1 Comment

Full moon setting over the coyote fence, Arroyo Hondo, NM. I drove out this morning for, perhaps, a dramatic shot of the moon setting across the plateau. I settled on a few images of this iconic coyote style fence on the hill, north of Arroyo Hondo, with the moon beyond. Thanks for looking. G

Arroyo Hondo Pond, Horses, Moon Set

Geraint December 12, 2019 No Comments

Arroyo Hondo, and horses with this morning’s moon set reflecting in the pond. A beautiful dawn to behold in northern New Mexico. The moon doesn’t know what day, month, year, decades or millennium it is. It surely doesn’t know that this is the last full moon of the decade reflecting in the pond in Arroyo Hondo. I feel sure it’s as impervious to this fact as the horses in the pasture. I’ll say “good night… good morning moon” for a long time to come. Life goes on. Thanks for looking. G

Red Willow Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo

Geraint November 21, 2019 No Comments

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

Geraint October 28, 2019 No Comments

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

Geraint May 29, 2019 No Comments

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

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Arroyo Hondo