Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Planets

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

Mars, Moon, Night And Day, San Cristobal

Mars, Moon night and day from the deck in San Cristobal New Mexico. This morning I looked out the window, decided I liked what I saw, so I got up and walked across the deck to get this shot of the red planet Mars and our Moon to the west. Below is the scene in the eastern sky yesterday evening. Thanks for looking. G

Mars, Moon night and day San Cristobal

Moon Mars San Cristobal, NM

Milky Way, Saturn, Jupiter, Antares, Scorpius

Milky Way with Saturn, Jupiter, Antares and the “cat’ eyes” in the constellation Scorpius from San Cristobal, NM. Antares is intriguing as it’s name translates to ‘rival of Mars’, more to do with it’s color than size. In size, Mars is no rival. Scroll down for labels. Thanks for looking. G

Milky Way, Saturn, Jupiter, Antares, Scorpius

Milky Way, Saturn, Jupiter, Antares, Scorpius labels

Moon, Jupiter, Rising, Taos New Mexico

Moon, Jupiter, Rising, in the skies over Taos, New Mexico. Not a bad way to start the day. Up early, watching the celestial bodies traverse the sky into daylight. The Moon, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn along with Antares the red heart of the Scorpion constellation in beautiful unison. A nice cup of tea nearby and a camera in hand, the day tends to go rather well after a start like that. Thanks for looking. G

Moon, Jupiter, Rising, Taos New Mexico

Jupiter And Four Moons

Jupiter and four moons as seen from San Cristobal, New Mexico. The atmosphere was hazy so the planet and it’s moons were a little soft focus. As always thank you for looking. G

Jupiter And Four Moons