Tag: Churches

Morning Moon, Evening Moon with Venus, Saint Francis Church, Shapes and Shadows, Aspen Buds, Taos Mountain.

Geraint December 8, 2021 12 Comments

I was up before dawn waiting for the waning moon to rise over the Sangre de Cristo (Rocky) Mountains east of our house. I spotted the two little stars first. If you expand the image you’ll see them. I’m sorry I didn’t look up their names. You’ll also see the “earthshine” on the moon.

Crescent Moon, and stars and mountain — Good morning waning moon, stars, and mountain, San Cristobal.

Two days later the waxing moon was setting over the plateau to the west of us accompanied by the crescent Venus. Venus is at its brightest right now. Soon she will set in the glare of the sun. Not to worry, she’ll be back in the eastern sky and will be joined by the moon before dawn. If you expand the image you’ll see that Venus is also in the crescent phase.

Crescent Moon, Venus — Good night waxing moon with Venus and clouds.

A couple of days ago I had a little time to pass waiting for an appointment so I made a quick circle around the San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos. I spotted the shadow of the bell and made this image.

The iconic Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos, NM.

I also caught this little scene from the west as the sunset warmed up the adobe and lit up the tower cross.

I’ve made a similar photo of this scene before. It was almost a year ago. In this version I like the three simple arch shapes tying it together. Here are the other images from last January.

Shapes and shadows, Dixon, NM — Shapes and shadows in the Village of Dixon, NM.

The weather here has been quite warm over the last couple of months and these buds on the aspen tree were tempted to bust out. They’re changing their mind this week as temperatures are destined to drop into the minus digits.

Aspen buds busting out, San Cristobal — Aspen buds itching to bust forth.

I ran up to the hardware store in Questa this evening. It took me a little longer than planned, but I did take my camera and couldn’t resist pulling over to make an image of the light on the cottonwoods before the storm. The forecast is for snow in the next couple of days. I will wait and see!

Cottonwoods Highwaay 522, Questa, NM — Cottonwoods, Highway 522, Questa, NM

One oldie but goodie from 2008. I came across this image last week going through my files looking for images of Taos Mountain. I thought it worth sharing again. Prints are available.

Taos Mountain Sunset — Taos Mountain Cottonwoods, El Prado, NM

As always, have a great week, and thanks for looking. G

One From This Week in Ojo Caliente, NM

Geraint September 15, 2021 12 Comments

This week on a photo tour/workshop in Ojo Caliente and beyond. It’s been a great three days working with my guests.

When I set up this scene, it immediately reminded me of, Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting, “Black Cross with Stars and Blue“. I had to do my own variation on her piece even though I’ve been to the actual location where Georgia got her inspiration for her “black cross” many times. I chose black and white over color for the stark graphic look. I hope you’ll enjoy and forgive me for the one-shot post this week. Back on the road again in a few days. I need my rest.

The Santa Cruz church with shadows at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico — The Church of Santa Cruz at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

As always, thanks for looking. G

Placita, Rainsville, and a Tree, New Mexico.

Geraint June 2, 2021 10 Comments

Three black and whites from a photo tour this week. In the first image, at Placita on the High Road to Taos, I happened to look up and there was the last quarter moon with the deep shadow from the church roofline running through the scene. The second image was taken at the church of the Sacred Heart in Rainsville, NM. I was drawn to the shapes and patterns of the shadows and light interacting with the white-trimmed window. The third image is east of the church in Rainsville looking toward the plains. We waited for the clouds to roll through with a little rain thrown in for good measure.

Placitas chapel and moon — Placita, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion chapel and moon, High Road to Taos

Rainsville church New Mexico — Rainsville, Church of the Sacred Heart, New Mexico.

Tree and storm clouds Rainsville, NM — Tree with a backdrop of storm clouds Rainsville, NM.

As always thank you for looking. G

On The Road Again.

Geraint March 10, 2021 16 Comments

Starting with the Valles Caldera National Preserve this week, Pami and I made a Saturday drive around the block… way around the block. We headed to the Caldera, Jemez Springs, the Gilman Tunnels, Cuba, Abiquiu, and home, a 334-mile block. I also added a couple of images from later in the week from Arroyo Seco, NM.

The Valles Caldera is a supervolcano and will be familiar to you if you’ve watched the series “Longmire.” Walt Longmire’s cabin is located here, the caldera doubles for Wyoming. On this day we listened to the melted ice waters gently lapping in the East Fork of the Jemez River and watched a couple of coyotes hunting way off in the distance other than this it was relatively quiet.

Valles Caldera, National Preserve, New Mexico — The East Fork of the Jemez River in the Valles Caldera.

The Gilman Tunnels were great to visit and the hike through the canyon but there were plenty of us people clogging up the views of the tunnels. If you are familiar with the latest “Lone Ranger” movie with Johnny Depp, then you have seen the tunnels.

Rio Guadalupe canyon — Sun setting over the vertical rock walls of the Rio Guadalupe Canyon at the Gilman Tunnels.

Here’s a cell phone snap of the tunnels. Yep there are tunnels. The real beauty is the canyon.

Gilman tunnels, Jemez NM — Gilman Tunnels, NM.

Not much to say about this abandoned car along the Rio Puerco in Cuba, New Mexico, except that Pami spotted it as we drove by on the overpass. She insisted I should turn around, that I would like it, and I did!

Abandoned car in Cuba New Mexico — Abandoned car along the Rio Puerco in Cuba, New Mexico.

Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco, NM has some nice sculptural adobe details that make for nice accents catching the late afternoon light.

Holy Trinity Church, Arroyo Seco NM — Late after noon light at the Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco NM

Always prepared to look past the obvious I spotted this detail of an exquisite little ornament placed there by a visitor.

Cross and ornament, Holy Trinity Church — Devotional ornament at the Holy Trinity Church, Arroyo Seco, NM.

Last but not least. Nearly all images on my website are available as prints. I’m particularly proud of this black and white print of White House Ruin made in Canyon de Chelly a couple of years ago. It is available on my website now, click on the image below to select a size option.

Black and white print of White House Ruin made in Canyon de Chelly — White House Ruin made in Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

As always thank you for looking.

Geraint

Las Trampas Church Through The Big Doors

Geraint November 27, 2020 6 Comments

Las Trampas Church, the view through the big doors. I’m on the High Road to Taos often on photo tours, that it is hard to pass up another picture opportunity of this beautiful mission church of San Jose de Gracia de Las Trampas. Thanks for looking and all the wonderful comments and support over the years. I’m very grateful. Thank you. Geraint.

Raindrops, San Jose De Gracia De Las Trampas, NM

Geraint November 3, 2020 No Comments

Raindrops, San Jose de Gracia de Las Trampas, NM. Through the looking glass, flashing back to a body of work I did in 2009. Spending more time this last week organizing my hard drives I came across this image I shot of the Las Trampas Mission Church on the High Road to Taos. An image of the St. Francis Mission Church made the exhibit in Taos back in 2010 but as I review my files this image grew on me. Thanks for looking. G

San Antonio de Padua Capilla, Taos

Geraint November 2, 2020 4 Comments

San Antonio de Padua Capilla, Taos. This little chapel is one of many in the neighborhoods around Taos. I made a little trip through the old parts the day the snow began to melt when the sun came out adding some warmth to the day. Thanks for looking. G

Penitente Morada, (Church) Abiquiu, NM

Geraint October 4, 2020 4 Comments

This image of the Morada, still in use today, is from 2006 before the bell. I can’t ever recall seeing this building without a bell. Well, here it is. Great skies are always in abundance and rarely missing in this area. Thanks for looking. G

Saint Thomas The Apostle, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Geraint September 17, 2020 6 Comments

Saint Thomas (Santo Tomas) the Apostle Church, in Abiquiu, New Mexico. On the road in Abiquiu yesterday I came across this scene. Always read the small print. I’ll say no more! As always thanks for looking. G

San Antonio Church, Valdez, New Mexico

Geraint September 14, 2020 No Comments

San Antonio Church, Valdez, New Mexico. Back to gorgeous skies and quintessential New Mexico scenes. The little village (would be more of a hamlet in Britain), and the church of San Antonio, nestled in the valley along the banks of the Rio Hondo. So much subject matter here in this area lends itself to black and white photography. Thanks for looking. G