Autumn, Out and About, Around the Block. 09-27-2023

Geraint September 26, 2023 18 Comments

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.

Autumn, road in Colorado — 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.

Blue Mesa, reservoir, Colorado — Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado.

Aspens in northern New Mexico — Aspens in Garcia Park, northern New Mexico.

Maybe I’ll see you out and about or going… “around the block”.

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

Cottonwood, Willows, Abiquiu Movie Set, Petroglyph Panels

Geraint October 27, 2021 12 Comments

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 — 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.

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, Abiquiu, Lake — 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!

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

Leaves And A Few Other Things

Geraint October 13, 2021 16 Comments

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!!!

highway 64, northern NM — 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 — 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 — 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!

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.

As always, thank you for looking. G

Fall Color, Orilla Verde, Rio Grande Gorge, NM

Geraint November 24, 2020 No Comments

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, NM

Geraint November 19, 2020 4 Comments

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, Taos, New Mexico

Geraint November 10, 2020 4 Comments

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, Standing Tall, Taos Valley Wetlands

Geraint October 25, 2020 4 Comments

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

Fall Color, San Cristobal Valley, New Mexico

Geraint October 21, 2020 6 Comments

Fall Color in the San Cristobal Valley, northern New Mexico. This is the valley where we live and a scene we look at every time we go south to town. On this occasion, I squeezed over on the shoulder to get this photo, dodging disturbing the powdery rabbitbrush that makes me sneeze. I just had a sneezing fit looking at this photo. I hope you don’t get an allergic reaction when looking. Thanks for checking in. G

Abstract Impressionism In The Aspens, New Mexico

Geraint October 11, 2020 2 Comments

Abstract impressionism in the golden aspens, northern New Mexico. I did this to create a feeling of what I felt rather than the more literal take in yesterday’s image. I like them both equally well but I had more fun playing in this instance, which is always good. Thanks for looking. G

Last Dollar Road, Ridgway, Telluride, Colorado

Geraint October 6, 2020 6 Comments

Last Dollar Road, between Ridgway and Telluride, Colorado. Heading down Last Dollar Road we just had to stop for this view. In 1989 I climbed Mount Sneffels, the peak on the far left of the image with my good friend Harry. When we got to the top I was exhausted. It was a little humiliating to see a father and his seven-year-old son sitting there fresh as the morning eating lunch and me huffing and puffing. 14,000+ feet will do that to you. We shared some stories with them while eating our lunches. On the way down I reinjured the meniscus in my right knee, or was it the left? Fortunately, we had ridden our bikes up to 12,000 feet and hidden them behind a large boulder. Riding down to our camp at 6,000 was a very nice and welcome cruise. Back to the present, on this day it was very pleasant to see the area in its fall finery. Thanks for indulging in my reminiscing and for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Fall Color