Taos Mountain Cloud, Mourning Doves, Wild Iris Meadow, Venus Moon

Geraint June 16, 2021 6 Comments

Another fun week in the field and a couple of instances from the deck! During one of the last snowstorms not long ago in memory but ages ago for the much-needed moisture. We can watch the storms build up over Taos Mountain from the deck. The mourning doves have been enjoying life and seem to be inseparable, hanging out side by side in the old cottonwood tree, also visible from the deck. We made a trip to join our friends Chris and Carla at their ranch in Black Lake, New Mexico a few days ago. The meadows were carpeted with millions of wild iris. I’ve seen similar fields of iris in the Valle Vidal but nothing like this. And this was only a square mile of it. On June 11, the waxing crescent moon swung by the planet Venus. I have a favorite parking spot to watch this particular sight when it occurs. Summer Solstice is coming up on Sunday, June 20th. Where to go for a Solstice moment photo? We shall see!

Taos Mountain cloud — Taos Mountain storm cloud building up, San Cristobal, NM

Mourning Doves in the old cottonwood tree, San Cristobal.

Wild iris, Black Lake, NM, in Lonesome Dove country near where they filmed the TV movie.

Venus, Moon, sunset — Venus, Moon and sunset across the Taos Plateau.

Enjoy the summer where you are and as always, thanks for looking. G

Waterfall, Taos Ski Valley, Valle Vidal, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Geraint June 9, 2021 26 Comments

First time in these mountains since last year. The air is cool, refreshing and the light at this elevation, (10,000 feet) is pristine. This waterfall is just a few hundred yards from the parking area and a short uphill hike. In about two to three weeks the Columbine and other wildflowers should be gracing these slopes. If you get a chance to go here, you won’t be disappointed. Or join me on a photo trek and I’ll take you here.

Waterfall, Taos Ski Valley — Waterfall on the Williams Lake Trail in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

The next four images are from the Valle Vidal. It was 84ºF in San Luis Valley and 45ºF in the mountains. We were surrounded by hail, sleet, and rain and these exquisite, Yellow-rumped Warblers flitting about everywhere.

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM — Comanche Point in Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest, New Mexico.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in the Valle Vidal, (Valley of Life), New Mexico.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in the Valle Vidal, New Mexico — Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal, New Mexico.

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

Placita, Rainsville, and a Tree, New Mexico.

Geraint June 2, 2021 10 Comments

Three black and whites from a photo tour this week. In the first image, at Placita on the High Road to Taos, I happened to look up and there was the last quarter moon with the deep shadow from the church roofline running through the scene. The second image was taken at the church of the Sacred Heart in Rainsville, NM. I was drawn to the shapes and patterns of the shadows and light interacting with the white-trimmed window. The third image is east of the church in Rainsville looking toward the plains. We waited for the clouds to roll through with a little rain thrown in for good measure.

Placitas chapel and moon — Placita, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion chapel and moon, High Road to Taos

Rainsville church New Mexico — Rainsville, Church of the Sacred Heart, New Mexico.

Tree and storm clouds Rainsville, NM — Tree with a backdrop of storm clouds Rainsville, NM.

As always thank you for looking. G

Tipis, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

Geraint December 22, 2020 2 Comments

Tipis south of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. I headed here first last night for the conjunction but the elements didn’t align. So I headed to the church shortly afterward. That worked out fine and print sales were brisk today. I did shoot some images at the tipis before heading to the church. I added the antique aged distressed look to the shot. Keep looking up! The planets are still passing in the night. Well, not really, Saturn is just under half a billion miles further out into space than mighty Jupiter. Thanks for looking. G

GMC Truck, Overland Ranch, Taos, New Mexico

Geraint December 18, 2020 6 Comments

GMC Truck at the Overland Ranch compound, Taos, New Mexico. No truck is an island unto itself! This familiar location with a backdrop of Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak), always inspires a photo. I made a quick stop in here as the snow receded, it left the truck looking like it was washed ashore and stranded. Thanks for looking. G

Venus, Crescent Moon, Rising, Sangre De Cristo Mountains, NM

Geraint December 12, 2020 No Comments

Venus and a waning crescent Moon rising over the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, northern New Mexico. I got out there early this morning, but only as far as the driveway. That’s as far as was needed. The silence was palpable save the crunching snow underfoot, and as is the case it got the coldest right before dawn and the frost built up thick on my tripod. The neighbor’s dog stirred up a couple of other hounds in the ‘hood. Happily, I was done by then and only had to walk a hundred feet to a steaming pot of tea, toast, and marmalade. Thanks for looking. G

Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, Sangre De Cristos, New Mexico

Geraint December 11, 2020 4 Comments

Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico. Last light on the mountains this evening. I had to pop the 4 Runner into 4wd and plow through snow and get to a vista point with a clear expansive view. I got off a few shots, then it was gone. Here’s some info on the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness. Thanks for looking. G

Golden Eagle, Snow, Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico

Geraint December 10, 2020 10 Comments

Golden Eagle in a snowstorm Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico. The tree is a decades-long roosting place for Bald Eagles. This tree succumbed to the elements over the last few years and made room for hawks, osprey and golden eagles. Everything falls in to place perfectly. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico

Geraint December 8, 2020 8 Comments

Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge west of Taos, New Mexico. Sometimes they disappear far away into the canyon because they can. My photographer clients ask me, “where do they go?” to which I reply, “anywhere they want.” This one and a few others showed up just where we want them, on a rock! Thanks for looking. G

Wave, Surf, Clouds, Dawn, Taos Mountain, NM

Geraint December 4, 2020 8 Comments

Wave, surf, clouds, dawn with Taos Mountain, NM. The correct name of these fascinating cloud forms is Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds. Here’s the scoop from earthsky.org. Looks warm, doesn’t it? I won’t be getting up this early again for some time. At 9º this morning I think I’ll crawl into my bear den and come out in the spring. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: New Mexico