Tag: Mountains

Snow, Eagle, Bandelier, Shadows, Roads. 01-03-2024

Geraint January 3, 2024 19 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. Snow, or the lack of it. More will be coming, but for now, they are making lots of snow. I shot the image below at the Angel Fire Resort. The wind dispersed the manmade snow and made for a dramatic scene.

Snow making Angel Fire — Snowmaking at Angel Fire Resort.

Angel Fire is situated at the south end of the Moreno Valley. On the north end is the village of Eagle Nest. Aptly named for the number of eagles that frequent the valley, who fish and hunt around the Eagle Nest Lake.

On the same trip last week, we spotted a juvenile bald eagl e sitting atop a powerline pole. This raptor was far away so not a very striking photo but besides taking stunning photos of birds I also like to document the siting and location.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno valley — Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno Valley, NM

As you know, I’ve been sitting around with my foot elevated, so I took time to re-edit a few photos. The following two images are taken in Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument here in northern New Mexico.

Alcove house Bandelier National Monument — Kiva at Alcove House, Bandelier National Monument, NM.

Yesterday I visited with a friend for a coffee in Taos. Across the street, I had a view of a little chapel. As we drank our coffees I watched the shadow in the image below creep across the roof. I just had to take another shot of this little scene. The coffee and company were good and it was warm sitting in the sunshine.

El Prado chapel shadow — El Prado Chapel shadow.

Earlier I’d driven to Arroyo Seco, The colors looked very much like they do in this photo from a few years ago.

Over the years I’ve archived images of places that have since been developed. Things change.

Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain meadow — Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain Meadow.

Onward into another year. So far it’s a beautiful beginning. As always, thanks for looking, and all the comments, and compliments. G

Wonderful Winter In The Neighborhood. 12-27-2023

Geraint December 26, 2023 7 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week winter in the neighborhood.

I’ll keep it short and sweet this week. I hope everyone got what they wanted. I didn’t want anything and got nothing, it made my day. I already have plenty. That said I am now the owner of two happy feet and have been able to drive a little. So, I drove around the neighborhood and got a few new shots to add to the archives.

Last Friday, I followed a fog bank that was building over the Rio Grande Gorge and came across this scene a little ways up the road in Cerro NM. There was just enough moisture in the fog and temperatures dropped to 26º F to cover the trees and willows in hoar frost that created this winter wonderland.

Hoar frost, winter in northern New Mexico — Hoar Frost, Cerro NM.

I was reminded of other years when the weather elements came together to create the following scenes.

Trees with in snow — Winter in Arroyo Seco, NM.

When I drove the “High Road to Taos” I felt like I was entering “Narnia”.

Winter on the High Road to Taos — On the High Road to Taos, NM.

Back to the present! This was the moon on the winter solstice last week. It stood out clearly against a beautiful blue sky revealing the detail of the craters.

Solstice moon from San Cristobal. — Solstice Moon.

The sunset on December 24, was fuzzy and warm. The outdoor temps were not!

Mountain sunset San Cristobal, NM. — Mountain Sunset San Cristobal, NM.

The view below embodied a feeling of warmth but it wasn’t. Temps dropped to 9º F last night. Of course, it was coldest before dawn so I slept in and missed the moon setting across the plateau.

As always, thank you for looking, Happy New Year, I hope it’s a good one. G

Northern New Mexico, Moonrise – 11-29-2023.

Geraint November 29, 2023 12 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, in the beautiful mountains of northern New Mexico. This week a few moonrise images from around the area.

Below is one of my favorite peaks in northern New Mexico, and the subject/location for photographing the full moon rise.

A northern New Mexico moonrise — Moonrise, Vallecito Peak, Northern New Mexico.

Horse and moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM. — Horse with moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM.

I haven’t been to the Bosque del Apache NWR in a few years, preferring instead to make the shorter drive to the Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado. I was pleased to see this image below, a reminder of the peace and tranquility experienced in the early hours at the Bosque del Apache.

Bosque del Apache moon and snow geese — Moonrise with Snow Geese, Bosque del Apache, NM.

Ladder to the moon, Toas — Ladder to the Moon, Taos, NM.

As always, thank you so much for all the comments, compliments, and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Have a great week. G

A Golden Eagle. A Leaf. A cloud. 11-15-2023.

Geraint November 15, 2023 17 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Golden Eagle in flight. A lone cottonwood leaf and an unusual cloud formation over the San Cristobal Valley.

Golden Eagle in flight, southern Colorado.

There’s a little wetlands in Taos I often take a walk there. This cottonwood leaf, bigger than my hand, was asking to be photographed. I was happy to oblige.

Cottonwood Leaf and a sun star — Cottonwood leaf and a sun star

The cloud below screamed out for a picture. It first appeared much like any other lenticular cloud forming, but quickly grew a tail. Moments after, just like that, it became one with all the other particles.

Cloud formation, lenticular — Lenticular cloud formation.

I was sure it was going to become a Bottlenose D olphin… almost!

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week and if I miss you next week, Happy Thanksgiving. G

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. 10-11-2023

Geraint October 10, 2023 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. I look into the past for a glimpse at the upcoming future events on October 27, 28, and 29, 2023. Also, a little fall color from a few days ago scouting locations for this month’s photo tour/workshops.

If you are in Taos later this month, I hope to see you out and about. The Taos Mountain Balloon Rally is small, sometimes around 50/60 balloons. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is hugely attended with hundreds of colorful balloons in mass ascensions each morning. What we have here in Taos is fewer crowds and the proximity to Taos Mountain.

The images below of the balloons were shot in 2005/2006. Enjoy.

Balloon with snow capped peaks Taos Mountain Balloon Rally — Balloon with snow-capped peaks.

Balloon over mountains, Taos NM — Balloons over mountains in Taos, NM.

Moon's a Balloon — “The Moon’s a Balloon.”

Balloominaria reflections — Balloominaria (balloon luminaria) reflections.

Aspens in Red River's Aspen Valley — In Red River, NM, Aspen Valley.

Please feel free to share my website with your friends and family.

As always, thank you for looking, and have a great week where you are. G.

Grandeur Of Taos Mountain Storm. 09-19-2023

Geraint September 19, 2023 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. This week, the grandeur of Taos Mountain. The light, the storm, and the mountain’s ever-present beauty drew me here. It is why I stayed and continue to marvel at its grandeur. Whenever I commute to Taos, about 15 miles south, there is always something stunning to see that inspires me to stop and take a picture. Maybe even a nasty hail storm, although wild and scary to drive through, has its natural beauty.

Storm across the meadow to Taos Mountain, (Pueblo Peak).

A few minutes after stopping to take the image below, I arrived home to the roads covered in fingernail-size hail. Nothing like the golf ball hail other places receive but plenty big enough to strafe the trees and plants.

Moisture is a good thing despite the ferocious way it arrives.

Storm across the Taos Plateau — An imminent storm across the Taos Plateau.

It was about an inch and like riding on marbles.

If you happen to be in Taos this fall check out the new line of cards at Cids Food Market or prints and cards at Fine Art New Mexico online and in Arroyo Seco.

You can always order through me.

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

Super, Blue Moon Rise, San Cristobal, NM 09-06-2023

Geraint September 6, 2023 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Super, Blue Moon Rise from the deck at home in San Cristobal. I said I would share the moon rise if the skies were clear. They cooperated fully, with the thin veil of clouds adding an air of mystery.

I’ll begin with the first glow I saw about five minutes before the moon appeared. It gave me time to adjust my settings and anticipate the next few shots.

Super Blue moon rise San Cristobal — Super Blue Moon Rise San Cristobal, NM

Full moon rising over the ridge San Cristobal — The full moon’s appearance over the foothills.

Super Blue moon rising San Cristobal — Moon and trees on the ridge.

Full moon over the ridge San Cristobal — Super, Blue moon rise, in all its glory.

Of course, every moon rise is a sight to see. I am always excited as the moon clears the mountains where we live. Also, there is nothing like having a bright moon that you can drive with your headlights off and see the driveway ahead and the whole valley beyond lit up. The upside is that it’s like daylight in the house, so no nightlights are needed. The downside, sleep may be elusive on such a night.

The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon on September 29. Here’s a Harvest Moon nearly full with a rainbow for added glory. Read more here about the Super Blue Moon.

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

Stunning Rainbows, Supermoon Rise. 08-30-2023

Geraint August 30, 2023 21 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, super rainbows and a supermoon moonrise, around the Taos Valley. The Blue, Supermoon is this evening. If it looks spectacular and we are not clouded over I will post a shot next week.

The rainbows began with the monsoon rains that we finally experienced in abundance in the San Cristobal Valley. I think our neighbors in other parts of the county were jealous. I posted numerous images of rainbows from our field and over the foothills on social media. I didn’t have to go very far, but you know that already. However, last Saturday, the big monsoon rains arrived for all of Taos County. I could see the skies beginning to clear to the south, so I headed in that direction, towards Taos and got set up for a shot with Taos Mountain and hopefully a spectacular rainbow.

Below are images of what kept my attention, with dozens of people who were stopped and precariously parked along the highway through El Prado (the meadows).

Rainbows in El Prado NM — Double rainbow in El Prado, NM.

Supernumerary or rainbow bands are “extra bands, usually pale pink or green in color, often seen on the inside of the primary rainbow. They result from interference of light rays which emerge from water droplets in the same direction”.
I hope that makes sense. I don’t know the science of it, but I like the results that occur. Here’s another shot from last July when I found out about these bands.

Check out the light rays in this one. It happens, not always but here’s a shot from July 2018.

With the upcoming supermoon and a blue moon tonight, I took a client on a photo tour for a few hours around sunset yesterday. We were looking for something particular, but I knew we’d have time to scout a few locations. My ideal shot would be the moon rising over the Saint Francis Church in Ranchos de Taos. I’ve done it before, so I had that idea in mind with perhaps a different angle.

When the moon initially peaked over the ridge south of Ranchos de Taos, it looked nice, though the sky was a little hazy and not so blue (is it ever blue?) like this one when it occurred in March 2018. We took a few shots of the moon and the sunset and then headed to my planned location at the iconic church.

Blue supermoon rising — Supermoon rising over the Talpa ridge.

Blue supermoon rising over the Talpa ridge — Supermoon rising over the Talpa ridge.

Last but not least the not-quite-full supermoon rises at the Saint Francis Church in Ranchos de Taos.

Supermoon rising at the Saint Francis church.

As always thank you for looking. I hope you’ll join me for the next Blue Supermoon in 2037. I’ll see you here! Have a good week. G

Black Mesa, Rainbow, And Walking Rain. 08-16-2023.

Geraint August 15, 2023 27 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a moonrise over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Black Mesa, the Capilla de la Sagrado Familia, and the iconic cemetery, near San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM.

Black mesa and Capilla de la Sagrado Familia, NM.

Rainbows have been intermittent this summer but they have been spectacular. Here’s one of my favorite scenes taken in El Prado with cattle and Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak).

Rainbows in El Prado with Taos Mountain, (Pueblo Peak).

Walking Rain is a spiritual experience in my mind. If you visit New Mexico, primarily in the summer months, you will more than likely, see this phenomenon for yourself. Here are two shots I like.

Walking Rain across the plateau west of Taos — Walking Rain (virga) at sunset across the plateau west of Taos.

I also call walking rain, rain curtains. It’s technically called Virga rain. Check it out over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico.

Walking rain, rain curtain, Taos mountains.

Walking rain, rain curtain, Taos mountains close up. — A close-up in the walking rain, in the rain curtain!

I hope you are enjoying my posts. Please feel free to share with your family and friends.

As always, thank you for looking. G.

Rainbow, Mountain Clouds, Bighorn Sheep. 05-31-2023.

Geraint May 31, 2023 20 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, the valley, and beyond. This week a fleeting rainbow makes an appearance. The morphing mountain clouds put on a show. Bighorn sheep show off their stature, and a sweet little dove preens itself in the garden.

The storms here move quickly. They say the best camera is the one you have on you. In this instance, it was the iPhone. I was sure to get as many shots as possible before popping into the house to get the big Sony. By the time I got back outside, the rainbow had vanished. The clouds still looked stunning, but those were gone very soon after. Sometimes I think nature has a way of taunting us or at least attempt’s to keep us alert and on our toes. Not from the deck this time but a few steps into the meadow.

The clouds spent the morning building into the afternoon canyon and ridge formations. Changes occur in no time at all. As they say in the Southwest, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” I have plenty of time to look and time to stare, which reminds me of a poem my friend Martin would occasionally recite.

Leisure.

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies

Building storm clouds — Morphing clouds, San Cristobal.

A couple of days later, this pastoral evening scene happened. I could watch it from my deck chair. I had to move to get this photo, but not that much.

I’d heard reports of these three a week before this photo. I was surprised to see them on my drive through the canyon last week. The cold weather we have experienced for a few weeks made them stay put. They have fresh grass and a dirt mound, with a fortress-like view, in all directions. They weren’t bothered by me or others but seemed to enjoy the company and attention.

Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge Rim trail — Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge Rim Trail.

I know they are an introduced species, and we have both Eurasian-collared Doves and Mourning Doves in the garden. This one immigrant put on a show last week on the fence post. I enjoyed watching it.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. As always thanks for looking. See you next week. G