Hello from New Mexico! This week, we’re experiencing some beautiful autumn colors. There’s plenty to enjoy, but I wanted to share a little gem I found this week in Valle Escondido, NM. The scenery out there is stunning, and I hope it’s just as beautiful where you are. I must admit, though, the season seems to be moving along quickly.
In the morning mists of Autumn.
Aspen trunks in the Valle Vidal, NM.
No photo tour to the San Luis Valley is complete without a stop at the old homestead, you know the one! With storm clouds building, but no precipitation yet, my client, Susan, and I stopped in here on to see what was brewing visually.
Homestead, San Luis Valley, Colorado.
A wide view of our valley and mountains.
San Cristobal Valley aspens and cottonwoods.
This week’s “Print of the Week”. taken the same week at the location above.
Fall in the San Cristobal Valley.
As always, thank you for looking. Enjoying Autumn where you are. G
Greetings from New Mexico. I’m on the road with photo workshops this week. Here’s a glimpse of the Rio Grande, which, despite its name, isn’t quite as grand at the moment with Ute Mountain rising majestically from the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field. This photograph was taken in the morning on the second day of a five-day workshop. So far, so good.
The Rio Grande with Ute Mountain.
A drive on US 64 through Chama to Highway 17 over the Cumbres Pass revealed stunning fall color. I hope you are enjoying fall, autumn where you are.
Aspens, Highway 17, Colorado.
Aspens Colorado.
As always, thank you for looking and taking the time to comment. Have a great week. G
Greetings from New Mexico. This week, some images of fall colors taken in previous years on trips to Crested Butte. I’ll have some of these images as prints in the upcoming Artist Combo Show in Taos on September 12-14 at the Stables Gallery. I look forward to seeing you there.
Aspens, peaks, and clouds, Colorado.
Close-up of the peaks and colors.
Near Lost Lake, Colorado.
Taken from Last Dollar Road, Colorado.
I love making prints. In days past, it wasn’t a photograph until it was printed. This is the first time I’ve printed this image. You can see it at the show next week.
Crested Butte, Colorado, is renowned for its stunning fall colors, making it a popular destination for photographers, hikers, and nature lovers. The area is particularly famous for its vibrant aspen groves, which turn brilliant shades of yellow, gold, and sometimes red during the autumn months.
Best Time to Visit. The peak color in Crested Butte typically occurs from late September to early October. However, the exact timing can vary each year based on weather conditions, altitude, and other factors. It’s a good idea to check local reports or contact local businesses for the most current information on the status of the leaves.
Best Places to See Fall Colors.
Kebler Pass – Often cited as one of the best places in Colorado to see fall colors, Kebler Pass is accessible via a scenic drive on Gunnison County Road 12. The area is known for having one of the largest aspen groves in the United States.
Gothic Road – Leading north from Crested Butte towards the ghost town of Gothic, this route offers spectacular views of aspen-lined valleys against a backdrop of rugged mountain peaks.
Ohio Pass – Connecting Gunnison to Crested Butte via Ohio Creek Road, this less-traveled pass offers stunning views of the Castles, a unique rock formation, amidst the golden aspens.
Brush Creek Road – Southeast of Crested Butte, this area provides a mix of aspen forests and open meadows, offering a different perspective on the fall colors.
Slate River Road – This route provides beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys filled with colorful aspens, especially stunning with early morning or late afternoon light.
As always, thanks for looking and following along. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. Autumn! It’s time to get out and make trips around the block.
The phrase “around the block” refers to day-long road trips we frequently take. A journey that will ultimately bring us back to where we started, and perhaps, because of the sights we’ve seen, we have been reminded of the home that is within us, wherever we go.
This week a few pictures from past trips around the long block in Colorado and a reminder of the upcoming autumn colors that are gradually manifesting here in northern New Mexico. My October schedule for private workshops and tours is almost full. I have a few days still open if you are going to be in the area and want to sign up.
On the road in Colorado, 2012.
Aspen reflections in the car windshield Ohio Creek Pass, Colorado.
A pond in the high country near Grand Mesa, Colorado.
Every time I go to town I pass this scene and often make an image documenting it at various times of day and in different seasons. It’s definitely a favorite on the drive, and I always slow down for a look. Sorry to all the other drivers rushing to or from work!
Cottonwood and Willows, Arroyo Hondo, NM
I posted a few images of this mini church from the Ghost Ranch movie set before. In the second image, I got an angle from the front with the door open, revealing the cross on the sanctuary wall. I added the candlelight for effect, after all, it is a movie set. I had fun playing in Photoshop® this week.
Movie set church at Ghost Ranch, NM
Movie set church at Ghost Ranch, NM with added ambiance.
Pami and I made a short trip out to Abiquiu Lake last weekend. I’m grateful for all the photographer clients I was able to introduce to this area over the last couple of months. So after a dozen or so visits to Abiquiu, it was time for a personal day out.
Cerro Pedernal with Abiquiu Lake.
Check out these petroglyph panels along the Rio Grande, in Velarde, NM. My particular favorite is the “pink panther” lower left!
Petroglyph panels along the Rio Grande, in Velarde, NM
Join me on a Photo Tour Workshop and I’ll introduce you to some of my favorite locations.
As always. Thank you for stopping in and looking. Stay well. G
The light, it’s all about the light. Waiting until the sunlight lit up the road and the aspens ahead didn’t take very long but it did require a few moments until the sun emerged from the clouds. The moment and the picture happen, click!!!
Fall color and light on Highway 64, northern NM.
The following three images depict a local pond, a different way the leaves turn in one particular area, and a spontaneous composition on a log in the Carson National Forest a few days ago.
Aspen leaves on a mountain pond, in the Sangre de Cristos.
Aspen leaves in the high country of northern New Mexico.
Aspen leaves on a log in the Carson National Forest.
One fallen aspen tree leads the eye through the standing trees to the copse beyond.
Aspen tree Hopewell Lake, New Mexico.
A nice hillside of aspens in various stages of fall. There are still a number of weeks of turning colors to come. Join me on a photo tour and I’ll share some of my favorite locations with you.
Aspens on the flanks of the Brazos Cliffs, New Mexico.
I frequently enjoy visiting this pond in the mountains between Taos and Angel Fire and this week we hit it with precision timing. The leaves were falling like rain on and around us. Here’s a video I shared on Facebook. Turn up the sound if you watch!
Autumn pond in Valle Escondido, NM.
And… last but not least, spending as much time on the road as I do, the opportunities abound. In this case a Porcupine trucking across the road. I had to move fast. The porcupine was fast, but I was slightly faster and that’s how I got this picture of a sweet little creature.
Fall Color along the riverbank in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, the Rio Grande Gorge, NM. I took an early morning drive when the sun rises and illuminates the walls of the canyon along with the sky, reflected in the placid river. I liked the light on the chamiso bush and the way the reflection created the playful background. Thanks for looking. G
Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. I waited at this road for some activity, perhaps a crane, a deer, or bobcat maybe even a mountain lion to saunter along. It wasn’t to be. Further down the irrigation channel, two wild turkeys wandered through the old sunflowers. Thanks for looking. G
Early winter greets fall on the picturesque Upper Ranchitos Road in Taos, New Mexico. This was how it looked a couple of weeks ago. The trees are now bare and settled into their winter nakedness. Our journey through the season continues. Thanks for looking. G
Sunflower, all it’s sunny fires out but standing tall in the Taos Valley wetlands. I particularly like sunflowers in their decay as much as I do when they herald the beginning of August lining the highways and byways of northern New Mexico. Here, in this photo, they usher in the early throes of winter while maintaining a continuous golden glow. Snow on it’s way over the next few days. Stay warm where you are and thanks for looking. G
