Wild Rivers, Bighorn Sheep, Wall Mural. 03-13-2024.

Geraint March 13, 2024 18 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a trip to the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

The Wild Rivers Recreation Area lies north in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Below is pictured a ‘small’ part of it. Come this Spring, there will be some class 5 rapids in this section. You can see how relatively low the river is right now. This was Sunday. You can also discern the level at which the river can rise from this image. That’s Ute Mountain in the clouds with snow falling.

If you want to experience solitude, Wild Rivers will give you just that. Step into the Monument for a walk in falling snow, where you can hear the silence.

Wild and Scenic Rivers, New Mexico — Wild Rivers, New Mexico.

“Adventuring out on a photography trip through the gorge and along the river during a winter storm, I am rewarded with images of large snowflakes alighting on cholla cactus, cottonwoods, and red willows, turning them into instant New Mexico-style Christmas ornaments. A great peace returns to the river at this time of year. The pace slows as the days grow shorter and life retreats within for what the Irish writer John O’Donohue refers to as “the secret work of winter” of restoration and rejuvenation as the river ecosystems prepare for the ecstasy of spring growth. In any season the beauty and pristine stillness of the Rio Grande del Norte is available to those who visit.” From my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.

To the south lies the deepest section the the Rio Grande Gorge. This is where the Bighorn Sheep roam and sometimes play!

Bighorn sheep ram peekaboo. — Bighorn Sheep Ram… peekaboo.

Or rest up on a sunny ledge.

Bighorn sheep lamb on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim — Bighorn Sheep Lamb on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim.

It’s that time of year in the National Monument. Spring is sprung!

Bighorn sheep ram and ewe — Bighorn Sheep Ram and Ewe.

And above it all, another unique cloud formation.

Cloud formation over the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail.

I have to end this week with this sky-blue mural with sunflowers and an ornate window in Los Cerrillos that I forgot to post last week.

Mural Los Cerrillos, NM — Mural, Los Cerrillos, NM.

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G

Photography Workshop Highlights, 09-14-22

Geraint September 14, 2022 20 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week features a few images that highlight what we saw during a three-day photography workshop, this time with Scott a talented photographer from Houston. His enthusiasm inspired me. I think I inspired him.

Our last day was spent in the mountains. If you follow me or have taken a photography workshop with me you might recall this place, Comanche Point in the Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life). It’s looking a lot like fall up there. It won’t be long till the aspens turn color. In fact, it’s already begun.

We spent a couple of hours at our first stop in Ojo Caliente, working at this location and looking for an interesting composition. This is what I came up with on this trip. I look forward to seeing Scott’s interpretation. Here’s one from a visit last year.

Santa Cruz church, Ojo Caliente, NM — Church of Santa Cruz, Ojo Caliente, NM

The Rio Grande Gorge is home to many bighorn sheep. Every now and again a ram will pop up when you least expect it, and strike up a pose where you would want it. In this case up high against a blue New Mexico sky.

Bighorn Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, NM — Bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Close up Bighorn sheep Ram, Rio Grande Gorge, on a photography workshop in northern New Mexico. — Close up of bighorn sheep ram, in The Orilla Verde RA, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Restoration, repairing, and mudding are underway at the San José de Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos. The doorway arch has been replicated to an early look. The big doors were closed for weather sealing which allowed me to shoot a new angle. Usually, the doors are staked open which often provides a nice framing element.

At first glance, the scaffolding looked interesting and I had an idea to make a documentary image. Then the sun came out from behind a cloud and added shadows to the scene. Fortuitous.

Restoration at the Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Restoration mudding at San José de las Trampas, NM

The partially closed doors created a different look at one of the belfries.

Las Trampas church on the high road to Taos — Through the big doors at the Las Trampas Church.

Closing this week’s post is the harvest moon, shot from the deck as it rose over our mountains.

Harvest Moon rise, San Cristobal, NM — Harvest Moon rising, San Cristobal, NM

As always, thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico

Geraint December 8, 2020 8 Comments

Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge west of Taos, New Mexico. Sometimes they disappear far away into the canyon because they can. My photographer clients ask me, “where do they go?” to which I reply, “anywhere they want.” This one and a few others showed up just where we want them, on a rock! Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Rams, Drinking, Gorge Rim Road

Geraint September 16, 2020 2 Comments

Bighorn Sheep Rams drinking from a recent rain puddle on the Rio Grande Gorge west rim road. We all need water. These guys, two of the eight rams I saw, crossed the road in front of me and drank from the muddy puddle. I’ve added a couple of close ups below. As always, thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Ram, Orilla Verde, New Mexico

Geraint July 25, 2020 6 Comments

Bighorn sheep ram in the Orilla Verde, Pilar, New Mexico. “Is this the best I got? You bet, for now.” And an afterthought, “do I have something in my teeth?” Looking good dude, looking good! Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Ram, Orilla Verde, NM

Geraint March 25, 2020 6 Comments

Bighorn sheep. A young ram is ensconced up to his ears in the sage in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area. I got up close and personal with this young fellow on a drive through the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico. I hope everyone is getting out in the fresh air when you can. Stay healthy. Thanks for looking. G

Red River Canyon, Bighorn Ram

Geraint January 5, 2020 10 Comments

Red River Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Ram. Took a drive today. We wanted to get out and make a leisurely trip with no motivation or goal except to enjoy the day. As is often the case, when there is no agenda other than to get out in nature, things happen and the day presents itself in all its glory. In Red River Canyon, shortly after we left home, I was able to get up close and personal with this handsome fellow. He seemed unperturbed by my presence. I was able to look into his eyes and see the details in his horns without my camera. The word primordial comes to mind. The elements came together and before we knew it we were heading home having experienced our own backyard with the creatures and locations that make it unique. Thanks for looking. G

Young Bighorn Sheep Ram

Geraint September 18, 2019 2 Comments

Young Bighorn sheep ram. “I am outta here!” I saw him heading my way and barely had time to get a shot off. This image is documentary evidence of the carefree nature and agility of these creatures. And, as seen in the image I posted a couple of days ago, certain sure-footedness. Heading back to the gorge tomorrow to see what we find. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep, Orilla Verde Recreation Area

Geraint September 16, 2019 2 Comments

Bighorn Sheep, in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. What a fantastic afternoon the the National Monument following a herd of bighorn rams. The double sun stars are created by a rocky protrusion, splitting the sun in two. The bighorn sheep are posing on the ledges that they use to traverse the cliff faces. I was able to line up all the elements to accent the precarious terrain they inhabit. Thanks for looking. G

Bachelor Rams, Taos Mountain

Geraint August 22, 2019 4 Comments

Bachelor Rams, on the west rim with the Taos mountains as a backdrop. That’s Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak) on the right, with much needed rain falling directly on the peak. The Bighorn Sheep, all rams, are a band roaming the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. If you would like to join me on a photo tour/workshop we will visit all the usual locations and see if we can spot them. The second image shows how close we got to them grazing along the roadside. They seem to enjoy the lush plants that get runoff from the rains on the highway. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Bighorn Sheep