Bald Eagles, Sentinels Of The Rio Grande Gorge

Geraint January 17, 2018 1 Comment

Bald Eagles. Sentinels of the Orilla Verde in the Rio Grande Gorge. Omnipresent at this time of year. I chose this image, and there are many others, mostly because of their unified focused attention. The light levels were low, as the sun was still rising over gorge rim and the canyon was predominantly in shadows. It evoked in me a sense, that nothing goes unnoticed here in the Orilla Verde, along the Rio Grande in Pilar, NM. I had a short lens on the camera this day, so this was the image I got. Sometimes I will place no more importance on the shot (lens, aperture, shutter speed, exposure, sharpness), than the feeling I get from a scene, like this, and how much it propels forward in the realm of life’s discovery. When I come across a scene like this, there is no holding me back and I am propelled far beyond my expectations! I often get asked “what camera do you use?” … “how do I capture what I see?” … “is the light right?” Sometimes you just have to go with the feeling. If I don’t feel it I don’t hit the shutter button. I like to experience my feelings, that, and authenticity is where I reside as much as possible. The photograph is an appreciation of my experience. Thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Tree, Southern Colorado

Geraint January 9, 2018 6 Comments

Rio Grande tree, southern Colorado. Slightly south of the Lobatos Bridge crossing the Rio Grande, is this old cottonwood tree, a sentinel, surrounded by exposed fractured basalt cliffs along the sides of the river where the gorge begins. The river is frozen in the shadows of the cliffs, though not yet frozen enough to skate or cross country ski on this year! Last week the ice on the embankments was constantly thunder cracking, echoing off the underside off the old steel girder bridge. Thanks for looking. G

Bald Eagle, Rio Grande, Cottonwood Tree

Geraint January 5, 2018 No Comments

Bald Eagle, in a cottonwood tree along the Rio Grande, in Pilar, New Mexico. This image is of the first Bald Eagle spotted this year in the Rio Grande Gorge south of Taos in late November. It was so wonderful to see this bird across the river in the large tree, and, I always wonder if this is one of the eagles I’ve photographed, spending the winters here in previous years. Anyway, it never ceases to excite me when I’m driving along the road through the canyon and there it is! Thanks for looking. G

Beautiful Bald Eagle And Moon

Geraint December 25, 2017 2 Comments

Bald Eagle and a partial moon in the Orilla Verde, Pilar, New Mexico. This is the first time I’ve see this bald eagle in this tree for a couple of years. I’m not saying that it hasn’t roosted here in a couple of years, I’m saying I haven’t seen it here for a couple of years. So yesterday it was a magnificent sight to see … one bald eagle in it’s roost and the waxing moon rising over the Rio Grande Gorge to put it all in context. Thanks for looking. G

Winter Solstice, Rio Grande, Ute Mountain

Geraint December 21, 2017 No Comments

Winter Solstice, at the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande and Ute Mountain. We took a drive north this morning to Ute Mountain. I wanted to make an image at the precise moment of the solstice 9:28 am MST. We did that and then proceeded to this favorite spot along the Rio Grande Gorge at the Wild and Scenic Rivers section of the Rio Grande. It was crisp and icy cold, and perfect to have all the senses alert, feeling the moment. Tonight it is snowing in San Cristobal. We’ll head out again in the morning for the first sunrise of winter. Thanks for looking. G

Embudo, New Mexico, Cemetery And Shrine

Geraint November 26, 2017 No Comments

Embudo, New Mexico, Cemetery And Shrine. The hillside shrine, Barrancos Blancos, along highway 68 in hamlet of Embudo, stands resolute, a backdrop for the cemetery. The dirt hills, flanked by the highway to the east and the Rio Grande to the west, look like they should have weathered away by now. Today they still skirt around the cemetery like a guardian and creating a prominent feature of the local landscape. A few people stop their cars and get out and snap a photo. More often than not the traffic whizzes past at speeds that barely allow the occupants a glimpse of the shrine. Not too long ago I parked the car and walked around the site and made this image. I’ve included a link below of a picture from another day for your enjoyment. Thanks for looking. G

Here’s another image of the location from the highway:

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/july_14/july_08_14.html

Bighorn Sheep Rio Grande Gorge

Geraint October 22, 2017 6 Comments

Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge. Bighorn juveniles testing their mettle on the rocks in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Thanks for looking. G

Sun Through The Mesa Clouds

Geraint October 1, 2017 2 Comments

Sun Through The Mesa Clouds. Drove along the rim road paralleling the Rio Grande Gorge this morning. Taos, across the gorge is just beginning to emerge in the space between mesa and sky. Followed by a beautiful day and great image making on a photo tour in Abiquiu, NM. Thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Gorge From The High Bridge

Geraint July 1, 2017 1 Comment

The Rio Grande Gorge, Taos, New Mexico. Here is a cell phone image, of this view from the high bridge, US Route 64, over the Rio Grande Gorge. A fitting end to a photo tour today. Thanks for looking. G

Mammatus Clouds, The Rio Grande Gorge

Geraint June 7, 2017 4 Comments

Mammatus clouds (Read More) and sun setting at the Rio Grande Gorge, in Taos County, New Mexico.

After a road trip around the block (about 200 miles) yesterday we arrived back at the high bridge, overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge, and were greeted by this wonderful sight. There were some tourists on the bridge with phones doing their thing. The bachelor heard of bighorn sheep were munching alongside the parking lot. We had our intentions set on a fitting image to end our day trip. I like the way the shape of the clouds mirror the shape where the light and shadows meet on the opposite canyon wall. Thanks for looking. G

[wp_cart:Rio Grande Gorge Clouds B/W 5006-5016:price:[Available Sizes|8.5×11 inches $95,95|13×19 inches $155,155|17×22 inches $235,235|24×36 inches $475,475]:end]

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Rio Grande Gorge