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

Pines, Forest Road 493, Northern New Mexico

Geraint August 14, 2020 2 Comments

Pines, Forest Road 493, on the back roads in northern New Mexico. I can almost hear the little tree saying, “will I be like you when I grow up?” Many trees in this area were wiped out in the Hondo Fire in 1996. Those that survived stand tall. New growth has definitely begun and in the fall the burn area is a most spectacular array of golds, reds, yellows, greens and many tones of rust colors. Thanks for looking. G

Sunset Cloud, Moon, Taos, New Mexico

Geraint August 5, 2020 No Comments

Sunset cloud and moon over Taos, New Mexico. Confronted by this cell last week. I had to stitch a few images together to get it all in. Taken on the same evening as yesterday’s ‘bear’ cloud image, thirty minutes apart. Click on the image to enlarge. Thanks for looking. G

Tipi, Sky, Sunset, A Quote, Lama, NM

Geraint July 11, 2020 8 Comments

Tipi, sky, sunset, and a quote, Lama, NM. This quote has stayed with me since I first became aware of it many years ago. I dreamed of the wide open spaces of the west when I was a kid in South Wales. Here I am, and I’ve slept on the ground many nights with only the stars above me. Thanks for looking. G

Sunset Cloud, Taos Mountain

Geraint April 13, 2020 10 Comments

Sunset cloud, Taos Mountain. So, here’s the image that followed yesterday’s picture, ending that day. Had I thought about it I could have added them sequentially. But… I was diving in too deep when I should have been paddling around the edge of the pool. It’s a subtle image, I know, that is what I like about our mountain, it has many personas determined by the light, and as you know, we have the light here in New Mexico. Stay well, and I’ll see you tomorrow from somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for looking. G

Cottonwood, Mountain Sunset

Geraint December 9, 2019 No Comments

Cottonwood at sunset in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM. A short walk out to the old cottonwood tree and the view was all mine. I got a few shots of the snow capped peaks with an unobstructed view but I like this old cottonwood hanging out in the field. Thanks for looking. G

Almost Full Moon Rise, Northern NM

Geraint March 19, 2019 2 Comments

Almost full moon rise, in the clouds over the Sangre de Cristo mountains of Northern NM. I looked out the kitchen window, there were some clouds, all wonderfully illuminated by the setting sun. I poured myself a glass of Jameson’s whiskey. When I looked out the window again this is what I saw. Happy Vernal Equinox, thanks for looking. G

Sangre de Cristo Light On Snow Capped Peaks

Geraint March 5, 2019 No Comments

Sangre de Cristo light on snow capped peaks. Following the golden glow and drama on the peaks in yesterday’s image, this reddish color glimmered as the last moment. Thanks for looking. G

Fire On The Mountain Sunset

Geraint March 4, 2019 No Comments

Fire on the mountain. The last rays of sunlight on the Sangre de Cristo mountains set them on fire this evening. The thirty mile drive took us a little longer than usual. I mean, we just had to stop and join the mountains saying good night to the sun. Thanks for looking. G

Hondo Mesa, Taos Mountains Sunset

Geraint December 25, 2018 No Comments

Hondo mesa, Taos Mountains sunset. A drive by shooting. Our shadow traveling along on the undulating Hondo mesa with the Taos mountains backdrop. The moment fizzled just as quickly as it began. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Mountain Sunset