Tag: NM

Comanche Point, Valle Vidal. 06-11-2025.

Geraint June 11, 2025 No Comments

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.

Rio Costilla, Valle Vidal, Valley of Life — 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.

Yellow Rumped Warbler — Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

And the road that leads to this area is no less spectacular .

Here’s a video of a Muskrat at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal from a few years ago.

This week’s “print of the week” is from another valley, “Valley of the Gods”, Utah.

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G

Greetings From New Mexico. 04-30-2025

Geraint April 30, 2025 6 Comments

Greetings from New Mexico. This week, I have some new offerings and a flashback to the early days with an updated twist on the vintage postcards that occupied many card racks at visitor centers and gas stations.

Vintage travel postcards served not only as souvenirs but also as instruments of national and regional branding. They projected idealized visions of travel destinations, often blending nostalgia, boosterism, and artistry. Today, they’re valued as collectibles and windows into the visual culture of past generations.

Below are a few of the creations I conjured up over the weekend using my imagery from around this part of northern New Mexico. Enjoy!

Vintage Postcard — Idealized vintage style postcard.

Saint Francis Church, New Mexico. — Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos.

Milkyway Tipi — Milky Way with Jupiter and the Tipi.

And just for the heck of it, greetings from Utah!

They make great gifts as posters and greeting cards. Send me a message.

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

Want to Read More… about vintage cards?

Out The Window This Week. 01-15-2025

Geraint January 15, 2025 6 Comments

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 window — 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.

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 out the window of the car — 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.

Out the window, my neighbors tree at sunset — Out the window, my neighbor’s tree at sunset.

Here are the phases of the moon calendar I use. Sometimes I need to refer to it but mostly it’s on my phone occupying space on my screen along with some night sky apps.

As always. Thanks for looking and all the kind words, comments, and compliments. Our family is healthy and warm. I wish the same for all. G

Snow Geese, And Two Turkeys. 11-27-2024

Geraint November 27, 2024 22 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a bunch of snow geese and a couple of turkeys shot in the Bosque del Apache around this time of year almost twenty years ago.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snow geese, Bosque del Apache, NWR, New Mexico

Formation flying is a thing.

Formation flying, Bosque del Apache, NWR, New Mexico — Formation.

And stealth formation at the Bosque del Apache NWR, NM

Two wild turkeys, and if you’d like to see more birds check out this post from last year.

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

Winter Weather, Snow, Book Covers. 11-13-24

Geraint November 13, 2024 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, some scenes of winter weather, two new book covers, and snow. It’s been a cold week, but it’s warming up again. The heaters are cleaned and running, and the sun is shining. I hope it’s beautiful where you are.

Winter weather, Ranchos de Taos pond — Winter weather, Ranchos Valley.

Last week we took a drive during the snowfall here. Little did we know that the 12 to 15 inches we received in San Cristobal amounted to about an inch in downtown Taos as you can see from the image of the little chapel on La Loma Plaza in Taos. We have been fortunate to get hit by lots of moisture this year in our village north of Taos.

St Clare’s statue was huddled under a cloak of snow before it slid off.

Saint Clare, Saint Francis church, Ranchos de Taos — Saint Clare’s statue at the Saint Francis church, Ranchos de Taos.

Sunflower seed pods wearing snow cap crowns.

Sunflower pods in winter weather — Sunflower seed pods.

The following are two of my images used on the covers of recently published books. I’m honored to share these publications with you.

Ranchitos road Taos, mirror image — Ranchitos Road, Taos, mirror image.

Lise Goett’s book of poetry, “The Radiant”

Lisa Goett's book cover "The Radiant" — Lise Goett’s book cover “The Radiant”

The second cover is from J.M. Mitchell’s Novel “Migrations of Butterflies and Lies”, Check it out here on Amazon

Ghost Ranch NM — J.M. Mitchell’s Novel “Migrations of Butterflies and Lies”

And the cover…

J.M. Mitchell's book cover Migrations of Butterflies and Lies — Book Cover.

You can also purchase a copy of J.M. Mitchell’s book “Migrations of Butterflies and Lies.” at Barnes and Noble.

If you are writing a book and would like to use an image of mine on the cover or inside, please get in touch. All proceeds go to a local Taos non-profit for kids.

And finally an autumn leaf on a winter pond.

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

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar. 09-04-2024

Geraint September 3, 2024 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week, New Mexico Treasures 2025 Engagement Calendar. Again, I’m pleased to have my work in this long-running cultural calendar published by the State of New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department and produced by the Museum of New Mexico Press, which reprinted and distributed my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.

You can order your calendar from this link: New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar

This year I’m honored to have the wrap-around cover photo.

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar Cover — New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar.

Bald eagle, winter on the Rio Grande — Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.

Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.

Taos Mountain mists clearing storm — Taos Mountain mists and clearing storm.

You can purchase a copy of my book here or through the Museum of New Mexico Press.

As always, thank you for looking, your friendship and support. Have a great week. G

September Show, Stables Gallery, Taos. 08-14-2024

Geraint August 13, 2024 22 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week an upcoming September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3.

Back by popular demand with some familiar names and new artists joining us this year. If you are fortunate enough to be in Taos next month, seeing you at the historic Stables Gallery downtown Taos would be great. The Stables Galley is located at: 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571

September Show, "Taos Artist Combo 3" at the Stables Gallery Taos. — September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3 at the Stables Gallery Taos.

I will be showing many favorite and iconic images with an added inventory of new images created over the last two years. I hope you can make it and I look forward to seeing you there.

Saint Francis church ranchos de Taos — Saint Francis Church white crosses, Ranchos de Taos.

Ute mountain Horses — Ute Mountain Horses.

I hope you’ll visit, see beautiful art, and maybe add a piece to your collection.

As always, thanks for looking. G

Across The Taos Plateau Volcanic Field. 07-10-2024.

Geraint July 9, 2024 18 Comments

Greetings from Taos, NM. This week views across the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field. I gathered some images for another project and thought I’d share them here. I hope you enjoy them.

Landscape of the plateau — Evening on the plateau.

Rainbow across the Taos Valley — Rainbows and the Taos Mountains, on the edge of the Plateau.

Random Abstraction, Around The Block. 06-19-2024.

Geraint June 19, 2024 27 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a gallery of random abstraction in and around the block. I have many more of these taken on personal trips, photo tours, and neighborhood walks so future posts may occur. Mostly shot on an iPhone, I am constantly reminded of what a wonderful and spontaneous piece of equipment it is.

Click on an image to expand and click off it to go back. Enjoy!

As always, Thank you for looking. My thoughts are with friends experiencing the wildfires in New Mexico and California. Have a great week where you are. G

Guadalupe Mountain, NM Hike. 05-22-2024

Geraint May 22, 2024 12 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. This week a hike up Guadalupe Mountain in the Wild Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Last week we went down to the river. This week we hiked up to a vantage point that gave us views of the gorge and the Blanca massif in Colorado, a great view to accompany lunch. Unfortunately a smoky haze somewhat obscured the distant 14,000 + ft peaks. So instead we looked down, watching where we stepped for the morning emergence of rattlesnakes and bouquets of wildflowers.

Wild Rivers overlook, Guadalupe Mountain Trail NM — Guadalupe Mountain, Wild Rivers Overlook, and Ute Mountain.

Indian Paintbrush were in abundance at the trailhead, individuals, and clusters.

At about 8500 ft above sea level the Indian Canyon Fleabane took over the nooks and crannies in the boulder fields to the summit overlook.

That was yesterday. Today I took a quick jaunt up a watery trail in the Hondo Canyon to check out the creek crossings. I didn’t get far. I left my hiking poles in the car. Below is a solitary wild Columbine. There were many more. I liked this single bloom glowing against the rock.

Wild columbine, Italianos trail Taos Ski Valley — Wild Columbine, Italianos trail, Hondo Canyon.

A leafy green plant, Rowan I think, of which there were many.

Leafy green plant, Italianos trail Taos Ski Valley — Rowan plant on the Italianos Trail.

A spot on the creek running alongside the trail, not one of the crossing points, but a picturesque little falls.

Italianos trail Taos Ski Valley — Italianos Creek.

Lastly the Cottonwood in Arroyo Hondo, you know the one, in a sleet and hail storm last week. I got pelted and had to dive back into the car.

Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood, NM — Cottonwood and Acequia (irrigation ditch), Arroyo Hondo, NM.

As always. Thank you for looking. Have a great week. G