San Luis, A Beautiful Sunday Drive, 12-06-2023

Geraint December 6, 2023 7 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Sunday Drive around the San Luis Valley.

Well, I’m able to walk upright and without a scooter or crutches now! I feel good about that.

It was a beautiful sunny day last Sunday, with snow on the peaks and intermittent cloud cover, so we drove north to San Luis in Colorado and made a leisurely drive home, visiting some of the usual locations, which I’m sure you will recognize.

The shrine of the stations of the cross is situated on a mesa above the town of San Luis, reputed to be the oldest town in Colorado. The sign, made out of white-washed rocks, says so!

In this shot, I liked the juxtaposition of the cell phone and communication towers. Perhaps a direct line to the universe?

Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, sunday drive to San Luis Colorado — Stations of the cross shrine, and cell towers, San Luis Colorado.

The next stop on our Sunday drive route was the old homestead, photographed by me a hundred times. One day I’m sure I’ll have the last photo of this building standing before its final demise.

San Luis valley homestead — San Luis Valley Homestead.

On the road a sign proclaiming “Jesus 2024” with what appears to be the faded colors of a Ukrainian flag. I didn’t know Jesus was running in the upcoming election. May the best man win.

Jesus is running 2024 Sunday drive San Luis CO — Jesus is running in 2024.

A seasonal creek running north-south through the lower valley. If you zoom in you can just make out the 14,000+ foot peaks of the Blanca massif.

Ice, San Luis valley, Colorado — Ice on a seasonal creek, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

The crows are back congregating every morning in our mostly dead cottonwood tree. I shot this image on Saturday. I’m happy to be up and fairly mobile and getting some fresh images again.

American crows, San Cristobal cottonwood tree — American Crows.

I do love a Sunday drive with no agenda attached.

As always thanks for looking and for all the well wishes. G.

Snow Moon Rising, Fallen Tree, That Old Homestead.

Geraint February 16, 2022 19 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM

Yesterday evening I made my monthly trip out to photograph the almost (98%) full snow moon. For all intents and purposes, the difference was barely noticeable unless you squint your eyes. Sometimes it’s a marked difference, but as you can see in the second photo imperceptible this month.

I prefer to photograph the moon in the evening before it is full because the sun is still up illuminating the landscape as the moon rises behind our mountains. This gives a nice balance of light on the moon and mountains. Here are some more moon images which happen to be available as fine art prints. If you click on the link you will get the idea.

Snow Moon Rising, Vallecito Mountain — “Snow Moon” rising, Vallecito Mountain

I began this particular evening west of Taos near the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. I saw the moon appear behind a southerly ridge and made a few hazy images. As I quickly headed back east toward the mountains the moon began to vanish again below the ridgeline. I turned north and was able to place the moon directly behind this peak and watch it rise again. The lighting now was crisp and clear, and the mountains were gently illuminated. Naturally, I know this approach as I’ve done it so many times before. TPE (The Photographers Ephemeris) phone app helped me pinpoint where precisely the moon would appear and at what time. I use the app as a backup. Sometimes I’m slightly off. But not this time. The app confirmed it.

The image below is from a few years back after a wind storm broke the trunk of an already weakened tree, weakened by the creation of a stabilization dam on the Rio Costilla in the Valle Vidal. Despite its demise, I think it made for a nice image.

Below is an image of one of my favorite abandoned homesteads in the San Luis Valley. I’ve met the owners of some of the empty buildings who have made me feel welcome. There are other homesteads sitting out there open to all the elements. I keep visiting this place and suspect just like the impermanence of many other things in this world, it will be gone soon. For now, it continues to live a long life giving great pleasure, at least to me and a few of my adventurous photography clients.

Old homestead, San Luis Valley — That favorite old homestead, San Luis Valley

Here’s to a great week ahead with the potential for snow here in northern New Mexico. Enjoy your week where you are. And, as always, thank you for looking. G

Mule Deer, Abandoned Homestead, New Print.

Geraint August 11, 2021 8 Comments

The mule deer was on a previous photo tour/workshop into the high country of northern New Mexico. The old homestead in the second image belongs to my friend Harold Anderson of Jaroso, Colorado. I gave the image an old-world charm/glow to create some warmth to the forlorn scene. Over the years, Harold has been very generous with his time and resources for photography subjects on his property. Thank you, Harold. The third image is how a framed and matted print of the Bison with petroglyphs titled “Moving Through Time” would look like hanging. Let me know if you can’t live without it.

Mule Deer, Valle Vidal — Mule deer in the high country of northern New Mexico.

Bison Petroglyph print "Moving Through Time" — “Moving Through Time”

As always, thanks for looking. G

San Luis Valley Homestead, Colorado

Geraint May 28, 2020 4 Comments

San Luis Valley homestead, Colorado. A former family home on the plateau long ago deserted, currently frequented by scavengers who steal the copper wiring from the power lines and dwelling. The current owner allowed me access to the property but warned me of snakes. Consider me warned! It’s a lovely stop on my San Luis Valley photo tour, to learn the history and make some images, while pondering a bygone era. Thanks for looking. G

Valley Homestead, Beyond The Fence

Geraint January 7, 2020 4 Comments

Valley homestead, beyond the fence in the San Luis Valley. If you are familiar with my work and my website you’ll recognize this old dwelling. Over the years the fence has also featured prominently in my images. Someone, at some point in time, peeled back the barbed wire in order to get access to the building. Personally, I like to document these abandoned homesteads from pretty much the same perspective for continuity and posterity. Here’s another view. Thanks for looking. G

Little House, San Cristobal, Mountains

Geraint December 16, 2019 No Comments

Little white house, in the pasture, San Cristobal, NM. There were snow covered mountain peaks when the clouds cleared today. Pristine skies overhead. I just think, sometimes, how many days like these this homestead and it’s occupants have experienced. However many that is, the days and lives come and go in the valley, if only the mountains could talk. Thanks for looking. G

Bunker View, White House, San Luis Valley

Geraint December 13, 2019 No Comments

Bunker view, of the white house in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Winter in the valley is a special time of year. Peace, silence and solitude prevail. A perfect place to perfect the craft of photography. This is one of many potato storage bunkers, (root cellars) around the vast San Luis Valley. Thanks for looking. G

Iron Gate, Rust, Abandoned Homestead

Geraint November 20, 2019 2 Comments

Iron gate and rust at an abandoned homestead in the San Luis Valley. Every day the decay and deterioration by the elements continues. Derelict structures throughout the valley are bombarded by the sand borne winds. These same winds which helped create the Great Sand Dunes at a northerly corner of the valley. I’m playing with found rusted steel siding again and incorporating it into an image of a gate, that leads to one of the abandoned homes. Perhaps the steel had originally come from this home. Thanks for looking. G

Homestead, Tree, San Luis Valley, Colorado

Geraint April 10, 2019 4 Comments

Homestead with tree, on the plateau in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Today we criss-crossed the valley looking for a view of the Blanca Peak Massif. There were some great views of the spectacular fourteen thousand foot plus peak, but I always remember to look over my shoulder. Thanks for looking. G

Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead

Geraint April 5, 2019 7 Comments

Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead. Met the owner of this place who was very generous to let me photograph in here. Someone has ripped out the copper pipe and wiring in the house, so it felt good to build a rapport with the owner. Anyway, goodness knows what the ghosts think of the looters who come in the night. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Homesteads