Geraint Smith Photography

Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

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Tag: Rio Grande Gorge

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Geraint May 15, 2017 No Comments

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument at the Taos Junction Bridge in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area section. I’ve used this image as a photo of the day previously but if the proverbial you know what hits the fan we could loose some 27 National Monuments.

The status of 27 U.S. national monuments is being reconsidered. Leading nature photographers have created a free ebook to show you the beauty that’s at risk. See this spectacular land. Then raise your voice to save it.

I am one of the featured photographers. Check it out and thank you for looking

Land Almost Lost features the work of Tom Algire, Kevin Ebi, Michael Frye, Rick Kattelmann, Jerry Monkman, William Neill, Geraint Smith, Tom Till, Larry Ulrich and Matt Witt. All images are copyrighted work of the respective photographers.

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[wp_cart:Rio Grande At Taos Junction 1603: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]

Gorge Bridge Road And Clearing Storm

Geraint April 28, 2017 No Comments

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge road, US Highway 64 heads east through Taos, NM from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. At this point, in the above image, US 64 crosses 600 feet above the Rio Grande Gorge over the “high bridge” as it is known locally. This week’s storm clears for a few hours before the next front moves in, and spring turns to winter for the third time in as many days. A double photo op ensued. The fog lifted, followed again, by sinking heavily into the canyon like ethereal waterfalls and just in case we didn’t get the image the first time, the fog rose once more and dissipated. Here’s the image from the road bed. Next stop N.C.  Thanks for looking. G

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Here’s some further reading:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_64

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Geraint April 16, 2017 No Comments

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Today we made a drive in to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. On the west side of the Rio Grande Gorge the road meanders leisurely north to the Colorado border. Pronghorn, Elk and many birds accompany us along the way. Seasonal lakes, ancient causeways and abandoned dwellings are reasons to get out of the car and contemplate those who have passed this way. If you have a penchant for unobstructed views, no crowds, peace and quiet, solitude … shall I go on? Join me on a photo tour if this pristine environment is for you.

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Coyote Morning Along The Rio Grande

Geraint April 9, 2017 12 Comments

Coyote stalking prey moving through the lava rocks, sage and cholla cactus early one morning in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, Pilar, New Mexico. It paused numerous times to briefly acknowledge our presence, loped off, and continued its foraging between rocks and sage only to perch on another rock with a good vantage point and make eye contact again. Moving adeptly, confidently, over the unstable terrain the coyote swiftly gained ground and left us watchers in its wake as it crossed the road ahead and vanished in to the red willows along the Rio Grande.


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Target Practice New Mexico Style

Geraint April 7, 2017 No Comments

Target practice, New Mexico style. The practice of shooting at road signs while driving by. This sign on the road from Pilar to Carson, has been replaced since I made this image. For now the new sign stands pristine, warning of the upcoming hairpin turn. Somewhere in my portfolio of images I have a whole series of road signs full of gunshot. I’ll let you know how this particular sign is doing when I drive by and shoot it next time. Thanks for looking. G

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Pilar, New Mexico

Geraint February 14, 2017 1 Comment

Homestead in Pilar NM. This is a fairly recent image although it looks like time stood still at the end of the last century and we happened upon it via a time travel machine. Very much of New Mexico looks a lot like this. Pilar is a vibrant hamlet on the banks of the Rio Grande twenty minutes south of Taos. There are resident artists, bald and golden eagles, beaver, otter and river rafting outfits. Come and visit sometime. Thanks for looking. Oh! … the cross shaped structure is one end of a washing line.

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Canyon Walls

Geraint December 2, 2016 5 Comments
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There are a number of vista points on the Rio Grande Gorge rim from which to view the river and to watch the shadows, cast from the opposite rim, silently descend or ascend the respective canyon wall. The river reflects the colors of the sky.

Fog Lifting From The Rio Grande Gorge

Geraint November 20, 2016 No Comments
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Fog lifting from the Rio Grande Gorge. The Rio Grande Rift, is an extraordinary feature of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, in northern New Mexico.

Straight Down

Geraint November 8, 2016 No Comments

rio grande gorge rapid

US Route 64 winds its way from the Outer Banks, NC to the western terminus near Teec Nos Pos in northeast Arizona. Highway 64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge over the 600 foot high bridge west of Taos New Mexico. Looking straight down from this “steel deck arch bridge”, the seventh highest in the United States, the Rio Grande creates this hour glass rapid making for a fun river run during the spring snow melt.