Tag: Mountains

Around The Block. 10-15-2025

Geraint October 15, 2025 2 Comments

Hello from New Mexico. The phrase “around the block” evokes more than just a simple jaunt; it symbolizes the day-long road trips we often embark upon, journeys that weave through the tapestry of landscapes and experiences, ultimately guiding us back to our point of origin. These excursions, though they may seem circular in nature, are rich with discovery and reflection. As we traverse winding roads and pass through quaint towns and sprawling vistas, we gather fragments of the world that resonate within us. Each sight and sound becomes a thread in the intricate fabric of our memories, reminding us of the home that resides within our hearts. No matter how far we wander, these journeys reaffirm the notion that home is not merely a destination, but a feeling we carry with us, a constant companion on the road of life.

Life, a photo trek around the block.

This “around the block” encompasses a few years of select images taken in October.

Photographing Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM — Looking for the reflection.

Milkweed pods. The seeds have all flown…

Fall color starting to look a lot like xmas — Fall color, beginning to look a lot like Xmas.

There has been a lot of lightning this year. This morning we had sheet lightning, thunder, and hail. A lot of it.

In the heart of mid-October 2007, we were graced with a scene that looked to have been painted by the hand of a local artist (photographer), capturing the essence of autumn in all its glory. The trees were ablaze with hues of crimson and gold, their leaves dancing in the crisp breeze like nature’s confetti. The mountains and town looked splendid, dressed in the first snowfall that year. In stark contrast, this year has offered us nothing of the sort… nada! I’m looking forward to any snow we get, we need the moisture.

Snowfall in mid October-2007 — Snowfall and fall color.

And the first snowfall October 2011. Incidentally also available as a print.

Early snow, Taos — Early snowfall on a street in Taos.

As always. Thanks for looking. I hope you have a great week. Enjoy your trip around the block. G

Photo Treks around the block — Photo Treks

A little Autumn Color. 10-08-2025

Geraint October 8, 2025 10 Comments

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.

A little autumn color Valle Escondido, NM — In the morning mists of Autumn.

Aspen trunks in the Valle Vidal. — 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 a photo workshop to see what was brewing visually.

A wide view of our valley and mountains.

San Cristobal Valley Cottonwoods — San Cristobal Valley aspens and cottonwoods.

This week’s “Print of the Week”. taken the same week at the location above.

As always, thank you for looking. I hope you’re enjoying Autumn where you are. G

Fall Equinox, Flashback. 09-24-2025

Geraint September 24, 2025 6 Comments

Greetings from New Mexico. This week, I’m taking a look back at past Septembers, the month of the fall equinox.

Beginning with this shot of our mountains from El Prado.

Often the first aspens to start turning in the Valle Vidal high country.

The view heading home. Not a bad close to the day.

Fall equinox, NM — Fall in the mountains from San Cristobal.

The overhang in this photo has since fallen off. Glad I missed that!

Fall colors Colorado — Fall colors, Colorado.

From the Lobatos Bridge in Colorado. And a view looking north. Read more about the Lobatos Bridge Outdoor Classroom Project.

Not really a lake, but a pond in the mountains.

Backlit sunflower on the fall equinox against the setting sun across the plateau.

Coyote crossing a field in Taos.

Some areas turn sooner than others. I found this branch and color in Garcia Park.

Print of the week.

Print of the month — Cottonwood Sunset Light.

As always, thanks for looking and all the comments, compliments, and support. G

Taos Artist Combo. 09-10-2025

Geraint September 9, 2025 13 Comments

Greetings from New Mexico. This week, a few more prints, on display this weekend at the “Taos Artist Combo” show at the Stables Gallery in Taos.

Fajada Butte Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

Doorways Pueblo Bonito Chaco Culture — Doorways in Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture.

St Francis Church Ranchos de Taos — Through the raindrops at the St Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos.

As always, thanks for looking and all the comments and compliments. I look forward to seeing you this coming weekend. G

Show Time In Taos. 08-20-2025

Geraint August 20, 2025 12 Comments

As fall approaches and temperatures begin to drop, Taos, New Mexico, gears up for its Fall Arts season, featuring numerous events throughout the period. This is a magical time in New Mexico, as the landscape embarks on a vibrant transformation with the sights, sounds, scents, and colors of autumn. Soon, the aspens and cottonwoods will drape the landscape in a golden cloak, shining brightly against the blue skies in the crisp light. The night skies are exceptionally clear at this time of year, with the moon, constellations, galaxies, and the Milky Way illuminating the night like few other places on Earth.

This morning, the chill in the air was enough to require an extra shirt. After a brief walk with the dogs, I settled into printing some images—old favorites, iconic classics, and new prints for our annual Taos Artists Combo #4.

If you happen to be in Taos during the weekend of September 12-14, 2025, it would be wonderful to see you at the Stables Gallery at the TCA, located at 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM.

Below is a selection of prints featured in the exhibition. I’m going through the archives alphabetically, hence this series from Arroyo Hondo.

Moonrise with horse — Moonrise with Horse.

Arroyo Hondo Pond and horses. Show time in Taos — Moon set, Arroyo Hondo, NM.

Print of the week and one more in the show.

Taos Artist Combo 4 at the Stables Gallery Taos. — Cottonwood Willows.

There’ll be many more images from all around northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

As always, thanks for looking. I hope to see you in Taos. Have a great week. G

Llama Trek, Moon And Antares. 08-06-2025

Geraint August 6, 2025 2 Comments

Greetings from New Mexico! This week, I’m revisiting the topic of llama trekking in New Mexico. Approximately twelve years ago, and again five years ago, I was assigned by AAA to cover stories on llama trekking adventures in the state. The first assignment led me, along with a guide and clients, up the Columbine Trail. This trail winds through the mountains, surrounded by wildflowers and lush meadows of tall grass. The second story took us on a different journey down a steep canyon trail into the Rio Grande Gorge. There, we enjoyed a leisurely day that included a long lunch, lounging and relaxing in chairs, with time spent exploring the local flora, fauna, and ancient petroglyphs.

Crossing the creek, Columbine Canyon, NM

Click here for the story on the AAA Rio Grande Gorge Trek

Some of the petroglyphs seen on the Rio Grande trip, mule deer and bighorn sheep.

Stay tuned for more on upcoming llama adventures.

A few nights ago, the moon was bright and, in some parts of the world, it occulted, passed in front of Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.

In my region, what I observed was still fascinating, although I needed to take two separate photographs: one of the moon and another of the star Antares, which is named because it rivals the color of the planet Mars. However, Mars is no match for Antares in size; Antares is significantly larger.

Moon and Antares, NM — Moon and Antares, from the deck, San Cristobal, NM.

Here’s the moon’s occultation of Mars in 2023

And again in 2020.

Mars with Lunar occultation, 02-18-2020.

As always, thanks for looking and for all the comments and compliments. Have a wonderful week. G

Wildflowers Around Taos. 07-30-2025.

Geraint July 29, 2025 18 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, the neighborhood is bursting with wildflowers. I took an early morning hike with the dogs today. It was still quite cool, and the signs of incoming weather prompted us to keep it short, a 4.5-mile round trip on the Columbine Canyon Trail. The wildflowers are in full bloom and looking beautiful, although the dogs seemed a bit impatient, frequently giving me looks that seemed to ask, “Are we stopping again?” We turned around and started heading back down the trail, chatting and interacting with other hikers along the way. Although it’s mostly uphill and the climb is moderate, the descent is much quicker. I need to train the dogs to slow me down on the way down; their pulling was very helpful on the way up!

Columbine and other plants — Columbine, Fireweed and other plants.

Mexican Hat flowers everywhere, especially along highways and meadows at 10,000 ft.

Shooting stars in the high country. — Shooting Stars in the high country.

Wild Columbine, Italianos trail, Hondo Canyon.

Showy Locoweed. Details on this plant, as pretty as it is.

Indian Paintbrush in the Valle Vidal, Valley of Life.

I think this hummingbird is in amongst Rocky Mountain Penstemon growing wild in the Moreno Valley, NM.

My friend David Marks on the trail a few years ago in Taos Ski Valley. Check out his website for some superb wildlife and his journey in phoytography.

Photographing wildflowers in the creek at Taos Ski Valley.

Next month the sunflowers wildflowers of the valley will be showing up along the roadsides. I hope I get to see them this year before the road crews mow them down.

Here’s the print of the week, I call it Sunflower Shower.

Sunflower Sun Shower — Sunflower Shower.

As always, thanks for looking. I think my comments section is working again. So if you’re inclined to comment, I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great week. G

Flashback Wednesday, 07-16-2025

Geraint July 16, 2025 No Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, a flashback with images originally posted on July 16, going back fifteen years. I’ve been on assignment this week for AAA magazine, lots of images to process, so I’m posting images here from the archive.

I hope you enjoy this flashback. You can see more images from the early years at this link:
The Photo of the Day 2005-2016

July 16, 2015.

Flashback, Cerro Pedernal Storm — Storm, Cerro Pedernal, NM

July 16, 2011.

July 16, 2014.

Flashback St. Francis Shadows — St. Francis Shadows, Ranchos de Taos.

July 16, 2016.

Columbine Williams Lake Trail — Columbine, Williams Lake Trail.

July 16, 2012

Harley Davidson Road King, Arroyo Seco, NM — Harley-Davidson Road King, Arroyo Seco, NM.

July 16, 2010.

Walking Rain across the Plateau. — Walking rain across the Plateau, west of Taos.

I could keep going, but there are limits. If you want to see more, click the link at the top of the page.

As always, thanks for looking and for all the comments, emails, and compliments. G

Summer Solstice. 06-18-2025.

Geraint June 18, 2025 10 Comments

Hello from San Cristobal, New Mexico! This weekend marks the summer solstice, occurring on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 8:42 p.m. MDT. Over the years, I have made it a tradition to spend both the summer and winter solstices out with my camera, often capturing images at the precise moment of the solstice. While it’s not always eventful, the occasions when I do capture something are particularly memorable and enjoyable.

Below, I’ve shared some images from previous years where I managed to capture moments during the summer solstice that were especially meaningful to me. One of my favorites was taken in Plaza Blanca, NM. It was also a relief to find some shade in an alcove where I set up for the shot. Enjoy!

Summer Solstice Plaza Blanca — Summer Solstice, Plaza Blanca, NM.

I hope you’ll enjoy the following moments and can get out on Friday for the Summer Solstice, and catch the moment.

Pond plant reflections. — Pond plant reflections, Taos.

Muskrat eating at the Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM.

A visit to Valle Vidal is sure to be filled with delightful experiences.

Fajada Butte sun star, Chaco Canyon, NM.

And lastly the print of the week, a solstice moment taken in Taos NM,

Print of the week, Taos Mountain Trees — Taos Mountain Trees.

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

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal. 06-11-2025.

Geraint June 11, 2025 No Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Comanche Point in the Valle Vidal, Valley of Life. I spent a couple of days on a photo tour workshop with two talented photographers in the high country of northern New Mexico.

Here are a few views of Comanche Point at the confluence of the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek. This area is always gratifying with stunning light and beauty.

Rio Costilla at Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM.

Rio Costilla, Valle Vidal, Valley of Life — Rio Costilla, Valle Vidal, “Valley of Life”.

On the return trip, two hours later, the clouds in the pictures produced rain and sleet. The temperatures dropped from 76ºF down to 46ºF. I was happy to have a down vest.

The Valle Vidal is a favorite location and never disappoints, always yielding great photo opportunities.

Here are some images from previous trips. Join me on a photo trek in this area, you will be amazed.

Yellow Rumped Warbler — Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

And the road that leads to this area is no less spectacular .

Here’s a video of a Muskrat at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal from a few years ago.

This week’s “print of the week” is from another valley, “Valley of the Gods”, Utah.

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