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
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, NM.
I hope you’ll enjoy the following moments and can get out on Friday for the Summer Solstice, and catch the moment.
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.
Red-tailed Hawk.
White Horse, Ranchos de Taos, NM.
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.
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM.
Indian Paintbrush in the high country.
Apache Plume, San Cristobal.
Red cloud over Taos.
Fajada Butte sun star, Chaco Canyon, NM.
And lastly the print of the week, a solstice moment taken in Taos NM,
Taos Mountain Trees.
As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
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.
Confluence of the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek.
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.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, I’m excited to showcase landscapes and more in current and upcoming publications. Don’t miss my print of the week feature, highlighting a captivating image for your collection. I also had the honor of participating in a podcast Q&A on Landscape Photography with esteemed experts Bill Shapiro and Dr. Grant Scott, offering valuable insights and inspiration.
This week, my work appears in the current edition of Enchanted Outpost magazine. You may remember when I was the featured artist in their premier edition.
Thanks to all at Enchanted Outpost.
Blanca Peak, a favorite of Colorado Landscapes.
Ghost Ranch, NM.
The Taos News, our esteemed and multi-award-winning small-town newspaper, has featured the following three images in its summer guide.
Road to Ute Mountain.
Shooting stars, wildflowers in Taos Ski Valley.
A ladder at the Picuris Pueblo Church restoration.
And in the upcoming New Mexico Treasures 2026 desktop calendar, the following four images are featured. The calendar is due out in July and sells out quickly.
Rainbow, Columbine Hondo Wilderness from San Cristobal, NM.
Crescent Moon and Venus over the San Cristobal Chapel.
Lastly, the print of the week, El Prado Cottonwood Light, is one of my favorite landscapes.
El Prado Cottonwoods.
As always, thank you for looking. I’m honored and grateful for every opportunity to share my work that shines a light on this place I call home. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, a photo tour with Scott to Abiquiu, Cimarron, and Dawson, NM, and all points in between.
We began the weekend at the Saint Francis Church in Ranchos de Taos and caught the moon setting over its buttress. From there, we went to Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch and had fun finding compositions around the lake and red rock formations. We spent the day out there and returned with some unique landscape images. It’s always a good day in Abiquiu, NM.
San Francisco de Asis.
The second day was spent between the Enchanted Circle drive through the Moreno Valley, the Palisades to Cimarron, and Dawson Cemetery, returning through Red River to photograph Bighorn Sheep. The whole day paid off in desired but unexpected images. I think Scott got these elk crossing the Vermejo River.
Elk on the Ranch Road.
Dawson Cemetery, NM.
Memorial weekend is coming up, I hope everyone has a good start to summer. Here’s a favorite shot from the biker rally held this weekend every year. You may remember it.
Memorial Day in Taos, NM.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a good week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, I’m sharing a wide panorama from Williams Lake, a panorama shot on my iPhone. It’s a short post, but a sweeping view. I’m going back up to the lake sometime next week and follow up with another perspective.
The Wheeler Traverse extends from Wheeler Peak on the left of the frame to the peak on the extreme right and beyond down to the Taos Ski Valley. I did the traverse in 1989, again in 1990, and maybe again this year. Click on the image to expand.
Williams Lake, New Mexico.
Williams Lake and Wheeler Peak, New Mexico, are located high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos, New Mexico. Williams Lake and Wheeler Peak form one of the most iconic alpine destinations in the state. Their rugged beauty, pristine wilderness, and accessibility from Taos Ski Valley make them favorites for hikers and backpackers.
Wheeler traverse.
Wheeler Peak, elevation 13,161 feet (4,011 m), is the highest point in New Mexico. From Williams Lake, a steep, rocky spur trail continues another 2 miles and gains 2,000 feet to the summit. The views are sweeping: to the north, you see the Rio Grande Gorge; to the east, the Moreno Valley and Eagle Nest Lake; and to the west, the layered mesas of northern New Mexico. Bighorn sheep, marmots, pika, golden eagles, and the occasional black bear frequent the alpine tundra.
If you’re fit and would enjoy a guided hike to the lake for a photography tour, please message me through my contact form.
Print of the week. Click on the image to see more details.
Rio Grande Gorge Rainbow.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. This week, a road shot of Blanca Peak, the whole massif in color and black and white, followed by a shot of the sandhill cranes, soon to arrive at the Monte Vista NWR, flying over a herd of elk as they make their way north.
Blanca Peak, Colorado
I’m rather partial to the black and white.
Blanca Massif, Colorado, Black, and White.
The cranes return every year in mid-March to the Monte Vista NWR. Let’s go!
Sandhill cranes and elk at the Monte Vista NWR, Colorado.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week “out the window”, the dining room, kitchen, and car window.
It’s cold outside, and because the view is there, and the indoor warmth kept me from venturing out, I thought, why not post the picture out the window, opportunity?
The first shot is from the kitchen window. When I open the window pane initially, a cold rush of air follows but I’m fast, and boom it’s done. This is our direct view when doing the dishes.
Columbine Hondo Wilderness, out the kitchen window.
Then there’s the waxing moon rising out of the dining room window. Some months, it rises directly over the peak seen in the previous image. The full moon puts on quite a show from our vantage point in San Cristobal. The upside is that it’s like daylight in the house, so no nightlights are needed. The downside is that sleep can be elusive on such a night when it slaps you in the face shining through the transom windows and skylights.
Waxing moon, San Cristobal.
On a drive to town two days ago I had to pull over fast for this shot of Lucero Peak, peaking through the clouds anchored by the cottonwood trees in the meadows, (El Prado). I shot it out the car window. I had time to pull over and wind down the window before it was gone. So fleeting like most things in life. You have to grab the opportunities when they arise.
Lucero Peak, El Prado, NM
And back home that evening out the dining room window as the sunset on my neighbor’s tree, with the mountains of the Columbine Hondo Wilderness in the clouds.
Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. This week, three scenes: one each from Taos Pueblo, Las Trampas Church, and the wintery peaks of Truchas and the Pecos Wilderness.
I shot this image of Taos Pueblo many years ago. I think it was shot on Kodachrome 64 and scanned. I like it for the feeling and remember how cold it was when I look at it now.
Moonrise at the La iglesia de San José de Gracia de Las Trampas.
And lastly, the snow-covered Truchas Peaks. A view from south of Taos on an evening hike many moons ago.
Truchas Peaks.
As always, Thank you for looking. I hope everyone has a good holiday season. Thank you for your constant and continued support, and I’ll see you next year. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, the El Salto rocks are a familiar view for those familiar with Taos and El Prado (the meadows), where most, if not all, of these shots were taken.
