Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: New Mexico Skies

Planets, Crescent Moon, Sunset Clouds. 06-28-2023

Greetings from San Cristobal. On the evening of June 21, the summer solstice, the planets Venus and Mars showed up with the crescent Moon anchored by the sunset clouds. The beauty of this world is just outside the door and perfectly poised for our viewing pleasure. Franz Kafka put it more eloquently than I did.

“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still, and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” Franz Kafka

Planets, Venus, Crescent moon
Crescent Moon and Venus.

Zoom in on this second shot to see planet Mars on the upper left edge of the picture. I didn’t see it with my eyes or through the lens at first. It was a pleasant surprise when it magically appeared (pardon me) out of the blue.

Planets, Venus, Mars, Crescent moon
Planets, Venus, Mars, and Crescent Moon.

Sometimes I poke my camera through a window, a window in a building that I’ve passed many times, and find a surprise before me. A broken window helped me access this scene in a gas station on US 285 in Colorado. It reminds me of the upright piano in my grandparent’s house where I lived growing up in Wales. Our upright piano was more ornate, with two candle holders on either side. I was always encouraged to tap on the keys. My grandparents were very tolerant. I never did learn to play the piano.

Piano room,
Piano room.

This week, just outside the back door, the daylilies are blooming. On the other side of the house, outside the front door, the Apache plume has filled out and glistens in the morning sun. Here’s a shot of the Apache Plume in the afternoon rain.

day lily SC
Daylily shot and edited on an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Looking outwards or looking inward, there’s plenty to discover. I find sitting still offers me a perspective that suits me well, plus I’m good at spending time doing absolutely nothing. Ask my wife!

As always, thanks for looking. G

Morning Clouds, Latir Peaks, Red-Tailed Hawk, Street Figure, Wolf Moonrise.

Morning clouds yesterday over the Sangre de Cristo, (Rocky Mountains) from the dining room window. I love my views from the various rooms in the house. I saw a goldfish endeavoring to escape the fishbowl. You?

Morning Clouds
Morning Clouds, San Cristobal, NM

The high winds morphed the clouds rapidly into a badger! I’m sorry but I often see badgers in the clouds. All and any interpretations are welcome here!

Morning Cloud shapes
Morphing clouds, San Cristobal, NM

If you are interested here’s an interpretation of Badger Totem.

The following image is the snow-capped Virsylvia Peak in the Latir Peaks Wilderness. Not from the dining room window but a short drive north to the Colorado state line.

Virsylvia Peak
Virsylvia Peak in the Latir Peaks Wilderness, New Mexico.

A familiar sight on the drive to Taos, a Red-tailed Hawk in its usual place. This power pole or at other times a treetop across the street offers this raptor a view of what I suspect is a choice hunting spot. It’s gratifying to see the same bird day in and day out. I would miss this creature if it wasn’t there.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk, Taos, NM

Not a spectacular photo but I photograph what I see and like. I found this figure under my car in downtown Taos. I liked it so I’m posting it. At first, I thought it was a Lego® figure, no, but it was definitely a flattened figure becoming one with the road.

Street figure, Taos
A street figure, downtown Taos, NM

Coming up next Monday is the “Wolf Moon”. Here are five sequential images of last year’s Wolf Moon rising over Vallecito Peak from Arroyo Hondo, NM. I wish now I’d turned on the video camera. Maybe I’ll do that with next Monday’s upcoming Wolf Moon.

Wolf Moon

Wolf Moonrise

Wolf Moon rising

Full Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon over snow capped peaks

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

Taos Plateau, Sunset Rays, Storm Clouds

Taos Plateau, sunset rays with storm clouds brewing. Out here in the west, we get these vast skies and expansive views that go on forever, and these letterbox sunsets are a particular feature when storms roll through. Thanks for looking. G

Taos Plateau, sunset rays with storm clouds brewing.

Penitente Morada, (Church) Abiquiu, NM

This image of the Morada, still in use today, is from 2006 before the bell. I can’t ever recall seeing this building without a bell. Well, here it is. Great skies are always in abundance and rarely missing in this area. Thanks for looking. G

Penitente Morada, (Church) Abiquiu, NM.

Orilla Verde, Rio Grande, Fall Colors

Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Fall colors were evident yesterday evening during the sunset before the stars came out. I was on my way to photograph the Milky Way with the river and reflections. Things didn’t turn out as planned but the lead up and time spent out under the New Mexico skies made it all worthwhile. Thanks for looking. G

Orilla Verde, Rio Grande, Fall Colors

 

Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

Fajada Butte sunset at the end of a hot summer day hiking in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Summer is a good time to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Yes, it is hot, very hot, but very few people. Winter is great too, very few people. We’ll spend one more day in NM tomorrow and then who knows where we’ll wind up? Thanks for looking. G

Fajada Butte sunset in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

Sunset, Taos Plateau Volcanic Field, NM

Sunset over the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field, New Mexico. I haven’t been out shouting sunsets for a while. I prefer the effects of a sunset on something. I’ve never sold more than a few pictures of sunsets. But the effects of a sunset in the opposite direction, on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, are much more popular. These days I prefer to sit and watch with a martini in my hand. So in honor of a gorgeous sky and sunset, here’s a panorama. Thanks for looking. G

Sunset over the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field, New Mexico

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

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

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

Comet Neowise, San Cristobal, NM

Comet Neowise over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, San Cristobal, NM. Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE. This is what I got from the driveway, this shot of the icy comet almost overhead. It wasn’t cold out but it felt better with a jacket. Stay tuned for another view from tonight, hopefully. Thanks for looking. G

Comet Neowise, San Cristobal, NM