Geraint Smith Photography

Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

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Tag: Lobatos Bridge

Locations In The Valley. 05-07-2025

Geraint May 7, 2025 4 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This past week brought a mix of wild weather, scenic locations, and rewarding moments during a photo tour through the San Luis Valley.

On May 1st, I led a photo tour with my client Randy. The wind created dust plumes and walls of sand moving across the landscape, adding a dramatic edge to our image-making. Despite the challenging conditions, Randy captured some striking photographs. With just a bit of light editing, he’s heading home with a collection of print-worthy keepers.

Just yesterday, May 6, we were treated to a surprise of nearly three inches of snow layered over a bed of hail. Overnight, our deck turned into a sheet of ice, much to the delight of the dogs, who raced and skidded across it like athletes.

Back in the San Luis Valley, one of our first stops was the historic Anderson Grain Elevator in Jaroso, Colorado. It’s a compelling subject with its weathered textures and quiet presence, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop.

Locations in the San Luis Valley Anderson's Grain Elevator
Anderson’s Grain Elevator, Jaroso, CO.

A familiar landmark that I visit often, the iconic red barn, continues to bear the brunt of time and wind. Sadly, it’s beginning to lean and twist under pressure. The siding has started to give way, and I suspect the resulting gaps are funneling the gusts through, paradoxically easing the strain while hastening the barn’s decline. Its days are numbered.

Red Barn in the San Luis Valley

From there, we moved on to another of my favorite locations, the Lobatos Bridge, a steel span across the Rio Grande dating back to the 1890s.

Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

The view from the bridge is a photographer’s dream, with the river winding away toward the towering Blanca Peak Massif in the distance. It’s a scene that never fails to inspire.

The Rio Grande from the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado, with Blanca Peak.
Rio Grande from the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado, with Blanca Peak.

Join me at one of the many locations by signing up for a photo tour/workshop in this area.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Milky Way, Lobatos Bridge, Colorado. 09-28-22

Geraint September 28, 2022 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. Last weekend, we had a fabulous, showing of work at the Stables Gallery in Taos. I want to thank everyone who came out and for your support in comments, compliments, and purchases. Many new works found homes. Thank you!

It’s Milky Way season! My friend, photographer, and filmmaker John Williams visited us from Boulder during the weekend. We took the opportunity to make a drive out to the Lobatos Bridge that crosses the Rio Grande in southern Colorado to capture the milky way. It was very dark on the edge of the cliffs, but we managed to pull off a decent image when an old truck crossed over, filling the area with light and fumes. One more vehicle drove over a little later, and that was it, just us, the river, the bridge, and the stars in a pristine, clear sky.

The Milky Way at the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
The Milky Way is seen at the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

The bridge with the ghostly figure of John in the middle.

Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

Fast approaching is my solo exhibit at Bareiss Gallery here in Taos. I look forward to seeing those who can make it. The opening reception will be on October 7, from 3 – 6 pm (maybe it will last longer). The gallery will be open 9 – 2 pm on weekdays. I’ll be there on the weekends and by appointment. Come and visit. It will be great to meet you.

Geraint Smith Exhibit at the Bareiss Galley Taos
Bareiss Gallery Exhibit.

As always thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Lobatos Bridge, Rio Grande Crossing

Geraint May 4, 2020 2 Comments

Lobatos Bridge, spans the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. This was on my last photo tour, March 11, 2020. It was a beautiful day and a fitting end, for the time being, of what was ramping up to be a busy year for photo tour/workshops. I have wonderful clients and I’ve rescheduled a number of trips with other trips on hold. Pending the outcome of our current situation, I’ll be signing up trips again soon. If you’re considering a tour/workshop for 2021 please get in touch. In the meantime, I have books available, with many of the locations we visit included. Thanks, as always, for looking. G

Lobatos Bridge, spans the Rio Grande in southern Colorado.

Rio Grande, Lobatos Bridge, Southern Colorado

Geraint March 11, 2020 12 Comments

Rio Grande at the Lobatos bridge crossing in southern Colorado. I spent today with an enthusiastic, talented, and accomplished photographer. I’m honored that I get to share the sites and locations of this enchanted land with many visiting photographers in this place I call home. I love my job. Thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande, Lobatos Bridge, Southern Colorado

Lobatos Steel Bridge, Frozen Rio Grande, Colorado

Geraint February 5, 2020 12 Comments

Lobatos steel bridge (circa 1890), crossing the frozen Rio Grande in southern Colorado. It’s cold, infact freezing cold out here. So cold the Lobatos bridge is locked in ridged, eerie silence, by the ice. We are alone under the late afternoon sky. Solitude prevails on this day, nothing exists, just us and the cold. Thanks for looking. G

Lobatos steel bridge, crossing the frozen Rio Grande

Lobatos Bridge Crossing The Rio Grande

Geraint February 23, 2019 No Comments

Lobatos Bridge shadows crossing the frozen solid Rio Grande in southern Colorado. The bridge is a favorite stopping point for making images looking upstream on the Rio Grande to the Blanca massif. The mountains are hidden in the clouds on this day. We made some shots of our shadows standing on the bridge instead. Down below in the snow drift on the ice we spotted elk and coyote tracks. Thanks for looking. G

Lobatos Bridge Crossing The Rio Grande

Lobatos Steel Bridge, Rio Grande Colorado

Geraint January 12, 2019 No Comments

Lobatos steel bridge, crosses the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. On a full day photo adventure today crossing the Rio Grande, the river below us is solid ice. The road way on the bridge is ice, so we skated across it, holding on to the rails. Just kidding, but we had to be sure footed. Thanks for looking. G

Lobatos Steel Bridge, Rio Grande Colorado

Lobatos Bridge Crossing The Rio Grande

Geraint August 19, 2018 12 Comments

Lobatos Bridge, crossing the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. Over the river, under the blackening storm and into the light. Earth and sky and the way between. Thanks for looking. G

Lobatos Bridge, Across The Rio Grande

Storm Clouds Over The Rio Grande

Geraint June 13, 2018 4 Comments

Storm clouds over the Rio Grande from the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado. It’s been dry for a long time, which made the sight of these heavy clouds very welcome. Behind us was another system and the two seemed destined to clash directly over head. Standing on an old steel bridge where the Rio Grande Gorge begins, with tripods, felt like we were tempting providence. We headed south in the opposite direction and avoided hail and a heavy dust storm. Thanks for looking. G

Storm Clouds Over The Rio Grande

Sign, Gun Shot To Bits, Colorado

Geraint January 20, 2018 No Comments

Sign, gun shot to bits, Colorado. Just north of the border at the Lobatos bridge, on the Rio Grande, target practice at this location on these particular marker sings seem to be the norm. Perhaps this part of Colorado could be annexed as it’s generally a scene more reminiscent of New Mexico. Here’s an image “Shot full of holes”  from a 2013.  Thanks for looking. G

Sign Shot To Bits, Colorado