Orilla Verde Recreation Area Archives - Geraint Smith Photography

Rock Wren on the rocks in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico. From the vast landscapes to the smallest creatures that inhabit them, when I show up and paying attention these sights present themselves, without question and without fail, every time. Thanks for looking. G

Green Willows, Orilla Verde, NM

Green willows and a few cottonwood trees, Orilla Verde in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Watching the seasons and colors change along the banks of the river and living here, surrounded by all this beauty, does this soul good. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Ram, Orilla Verde, NM

Bighorn sheep. A young ram is ensconced up to his ears in the sage in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area. I got up close and personal with this young fellow on a drive through the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico. I hope everyone is getting out in the fresh air when you can. Stay healthy. Thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument

Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, New Mexico. On a photo tour/workshop today, we dropped into the Orilla Verde Recreation Area of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. What started out with overcast skies and grey clouds, turned out really well. Image making is the objective. Perseverance is the key. Thanks for looking. G

Taos Junction Bridge, Orilla Verde, NM

Taos Junction Bridge, Orilla Verde, in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, NM. Gorgeous evening light at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Rio Pueblo taken from the Taos Junction Bridge, shadow on the right. This is one of my favorite views and locations, that I revisit frequently throughout and over the years.Thanks for looking. G

Young Bighorn Sheep Ram

Young Bighorn sheep ram. “I am outta here!” I saw him heading my way and barely had time to get a shot off. This image is documentary evidence of the carefree nature and agility of these creatures. And, as seen in the image I posted a couple of days ago, certain sure-footedness. Heading back to the gorge tomorrow to see what we find. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep, Orilla Verde Recreation Area

Bighorn Sheep, in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. What a fantastic afternoon the the National Monument following a herd of bighorn rams. The double sun stars are created by a rocky protrusion, splitting the sun in two. The bighorn sheep are posing on the ledges that they use to traverse the cliff faces. I was able to line up all the elements to accent the precarious terrain they inhabit. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Ram, A Young One

Bighorn Ram, a young one! Handsome and immaculately turned out. His horns look like they haven’t yet seen any rutting or any entanglement with larger, more experienced, rams. He was on his own, on a rock in the Orilla Verde area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, chewing his cud. Doing what bighorn sheep tend to do, he ignored us and moseyed on his leisurely way. Thanks for looking. G

Coyote Watches, Rio Pueblo, Orilla Verde, NM

Coyote Watches, at the Rio Pueblo, in the Orilla Verde RA, NM. Today we were down on the banks of the Rio Pueblo, amongst the red willows, photographing fast flowing water. I was very surprised to look up at one point and discover we were being watched by this gorgeous coyote. It stayed where it was, not moving, during the photo session only varying its gaze to the left and right. We surmised that it had a den very near, possibly with young pups. It kept watching until we left. We felt very privileged to be party to this moment in nature, watching… as coyote watches us . Thanks for looking. G

Mallards Lift Off In The Orilla Verde

Mallards lift off, skimming over the water in the Orilla Verde, only to settle back on the the water a hundred yards away. Another fun day in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Thanks for looking. G

Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Mountain Bighorn Sheep in the Orilla Verde, in the Rio Grande Gorge. This guy settled in and had a wonderful, kind of sleepy head dreamy look. I guess it’s hard work eating, rock climbing, and herding his females all day. Thanks for looking. G

More about the Bighorn Sheep

Rio Grande In The Orilla Verde Recreation Area

The Rio Grande in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Looking upstream from the Taos Junction Bridge to Sunset Rapid and the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pueblo. This location is a favorite of mine. The river makes for a really nice leading line. Thanks for looking. G

Here are some links to a few more images in this location at different times of year.

https://geraintsmith.com/taos-junction-rio-grande/

https://geraintsmith.com/rio-grande-del-norte-national-monument-pilar/

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/march_15/march_26_15.html