The iconic, autumn “Hunter’s Moon” rising over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from our driveway in San Cristobal, NM. The “Hunter’s Moon” is a favorite of all the moon names. Although I don’t hunt, the name evokes some primordial feeling in me of a greater sense of place in the grand scheme of things. Whatever it conjures up for you, I hope it’s a good feeling. The final image is from the old homestead in the San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Hunter’s moon rises over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM.
Hunter’s moon rising a little further.
Hunter’s moonrise breaks the tree line over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM.
Hunter’s moon and the old homestead in the San Luis Valley, CO.
The light, it’s all about the light. Waiting until the sunlight lit up the road and the aspens ahead didn’t take very long but it did require a few moments until the sun emerged from the clouds. The moment and the picture happen, click!!!
Fall color and light on Highway 64, northern NM.
The following three images depict a local pond, a different way the leaves turn in one particular area, and a spontaneous composition on a log in the Carson National Forest a few days ago.
Aspen leaves on a mountain pond, in the Sangre de Cristos.
Aspen leaves in the high country of northern New Mexico.
Aspen leaves on a log in the Carson National Forest.
One fallen aspen tree leads the eye through the standing trees to the copse beyond.
Aspen tree Hopewell Lake, New Mexico.
A nice hillside of aspens in various stages of fall. There are still a number of weeks of turning colors to come. Join me on a photo tour and I’ll share some of my favorite locations with you.
Aspens on the flanks of the Brazos Cliffs, New Mexico.
I frequently enjoy visiting this pond in the mountains between Taos and Angel Fire and this week we hit it with precision timing. The leaves were falling like rain on and around us. Here’s a video I shared on Facebook. Turn up the sound if you watch!
Autumn pond in Valle Escondido, NM.
And… last but not least, spending as much time on the road as I do, the opportunities abound. In this case a Porcupine trucking across the road. I had to move fast. The porcupine was fast, but I was slightly faster and that’s how I got this picture of a sweet little creature.
Last week on a tour through the Moreno Valley in rain and snow we spotted this Red-tailed Hawk, rather bedraggled, sitting in the rain on this ranch gate. It didn’t seem too bothered by much at all. including me and my photography client.
A Red-tailed Hawk in the Moreno Valley, NM
It was dramatic and beautiful light today in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Working backward from today, starting with the landscape around Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
The Landscape near Abiquiu, NM.
I made a couple of trips on the high road over the last week. The aspens are doing their utmost to please fall color seekers. The horses performed perfectly, positioning themselves just right.
Horse backs on the High Road to Taos in Truchas, NM.
The forest floors were already full of fallen leaves. There are plenty more to go!
Dewdrops on the fallen aspen leaves.
The skies over New Mexico have performed quite admirably, as they usually do. This place, with the old wooden barn storage shed, is always a pleasing stop on Highway 64.
Wood barn off Highway 64 in northern New Mexico.
My favorite aspen group on the Cumbres Pass, just over the state line in Colorado. This is my go-to barometer for how things are progressing as far as the turning colors go. I’ll be back there tomorrow.
Aspen Copse on a hillside, Cumbres Pass, Colorado.
The colors in this image seemed appropriate for the season, on this old tractor parked in a field in Jaroso, Colorado.
This week on a photo tour/workshop in Ojo Caliente and beyond. It’s been a great three days working with my guests.
When I set up this scene, it immediately reminded me of, Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting, “Black Cross with Stars and Blue“. I had to do my own variation on her piece even though I’ve been to the actual location where Georgia got her inspiration for her “black cross” many times. I chose black and white over color for the stark graphic look. I hope you’ll enjoy and forgive me for the one-shot post this week. Back on the road again in a few days. I need my rest.
The Church of Santa Cruz at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
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 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 and sunset across the Taos Plateau.
Enjoy the summer where you are and as always, thanks for looking. G
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 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 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 at the Shuree Ponds 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
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.
Placita, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion chapel and moon, High Road to Taos
Rainsville, Church of the Sacred Heart, New Mexico.
Tree with a backdrop of storm clouds Rainsville, NM.
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 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
