Greetings from San Cristobal, NM where the temperature is a balmy 60º F (15.5ºC) This week the crescent moon and Veus with a beautiful sunset. Red-winged Blackbirds, a crow, and the Village of Valdez, NM
The view from the front gate. All rather pleasant to watch.
Crescent Moon, Venus, and the sunset.
I zoomed in a little closer,
A close-up!
This year we’ve had large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, and Evening Grosbeaks, in the old cottonwood tree and Siberian Elm tree each morning and evening. Last year we had thousands of Pinyon Jays in the valley but they haven’t returned this year… yet!
Below is the Village of Valdez, just north of Taos in the snow. The scene depicts the chapel of San Antonio de Padua in the center of the village plaza. This picture was taken in winter 2007. It’s fun to relive past moments and look at them with a fresh perspective eighteen years later.
Valdez Village in snow.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
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 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.
Snow, La Loma Plaza Chapel Taos.
St Clare’s statue was huddled under a cloak of snow before it slid off.
Saint Clare’s statue at the Saint Francis church, Ranchos de Taos.
Sunflower seed pods wearing snow cap crowns.
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.
Lise Goett’s book of poetry, “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
J.M. Mitchell’s Novel “Migrations of Butterflies and Lies”
And the cover…
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.
Leaf floating on a pond.
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, the red barn and its neighbors, Comet Atlas, the Arroyo Hondo cottonwood tree, and an image from October 27, 2020, with the piles of snow we have unfortunately not received this year.
The red barn is deteriorating before my eyes. The siding might as well fall off while I’m standing there looking, and it’s also starting to twist from the prevailing winds.
Red barn with anthill and Ute Mountain, San Luis Valley Colorado.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) shot on an iPhone 13 Pro Max on October 13, 2024. I couldn’t resist the ease of what the iPhone can accomplish these days. The comet image is a little soft however, night mode on the phone is very good for handheld shots. It’s even better on a tripod.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Bighorn sheep in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, along with some random mages from the last few weeks. Autumn colors have been stunning this year, and I’ve been busy on photo tours with great photographers/clients. Now it’s time to settle in, light the fires, and enjoy the remaining colors and exceptional light around us.
Bighorn Sheep, Wild and Scenic Rivers Recreation Area, NM.
Avanyu. A water serpent petroglyph along the Rio Grande south of Taos.
Avanyu, water serpent petroglyph.
The fall colors keep on giving in the woods near Hopewell Lake where I spent seven days this month.
Aspen Leaf, Hopewell Lake.
That cottonwood tree in last weekend’s storm in Arroyo Hondo!
Cottonwood, Arroyo Hondo, NM.
I was surprised to see these hardy plants thriving in the colder temperatures. It was the only group of this plant, that I spotted on my two-mile walk with the dogs.
Blanket Flower, Wild and Scenic Rivers Recreation Area.
I took a short drive on the night that nearly everyone in the northern hemisphere could see the aurora borealis. This was the view I had from the foothills behind our house. I used an iPhone and stitched six images together. The next evening I was prepared with a camera and tripod but the northern lights weren’t visible.
Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week where you are. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week the super blue moonrise over our foothills, not-so-blue but super all the same. Everything but the moon was blue. I liked the whispy cloud that was later obliterated by the bright moon.
Super Blue Moonrise, northern New Mexico.
Earlier in the week, one of the largest (Western Tiger) Swallowtail Butterflies I’ve seen, landed on the coneflowers, (Ecahinacea) in the garden. About the size of a dessert plate, he was battered and torn up with bits missing. Here’s one in a more pristine condition.
Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.
As always, thanks for looking, and all the kind words of friendship and support. Have a great week. Stay cool if you can. G
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.
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 white crosses, Ranchos de Taos.
Banana plant droplet.
Buffalo (Bison) eye.
Ute Mountain Horses.
Mountain Storm.
Early Snow, Taos.
Aspens.
Shrine.
Powwow Dancer.
I hope you’ll visit, see beautiful art, and maybe add a piece to your collection.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week an almost forgotten sunset moonrise over Taos Mountain from the garden wall. We have many viewpoints around the property depending on the moon’s trajectory. You may recall the many pictures I’ve posted from the deck or driveway. The sky was a firey color in mid-July. The moon crept out from behind the layer of clouds like a timid soul moving through the blushing universe.
Sunset Moonrise with Taos Mountain from San Cristobal, NM.
A little later the crows gather in the old cottonwood tree with their backs toward the prevailing night wind. Sometimes there’s one and usually more, sometimes two ravens, rarely more.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Daylilies are blooming everywhere in the garden and the neighborhood. I started a daily post on Facebook of the daily daylily as they opened. Now they are coming on thick and fast it’s hard to keep up but I’m endeavoring to. I hope you’ll enjoy the following series. It’s all shot on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Prints are available. Do you have a favorite? It’s rained a lot recently hence the water droplets. Click on an image to enlarge and off the image to go back.
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a beautiful swallowtail butterfly and the business end of a rainbow across the valley. Sometimes it seems that the world presents itself at my doorstep. It reminds me of a favorite quote:
“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
The swallowtail butterfly has a routine it follows. Shortly after my morning ablutions the butterfly arrives and proceeds with its morning route around the garden. Same plants every day. A creature of habit.
Swallowtail Butterfly.
This pine shoot caught my eye on the trail, spotlighted in the morning sunshine.
Pine shoot, Italianos Canyon Trail, NM.
Without leaving my room, without leaving my chair, this presented itself over the ridge, across the valley. I did get up and go out for the shot.
Rainbow Cloud, San Cristobal, NM.
A closer observation with a 400mm lens.
Close-up of the Rainbow Cloud, San Cristobal, NM.
Does anyone have a precise identification of this bird? It showed up on the feeder about a week ago and I haven’t seen it since. Thanks in advance for the help. Thanks to my friend Larry for his offerings.
Mystery bird.
As always, thank you for looking, and a big thank you for all the comments and compliments on last week’s post on “Random Abstraction”. I appreciate it very much. Have a great week where you are. G
PS: The bird ID app Merlin suggests it is a Juvenile European Starling.
“Stocky and dark overall with short tail and triangular wings. A close look reveals beautiful plumage: in breeding season, look for purple and green iridescence and a yellow bill. In winter, shows extensive white and buffy spots over the entire body. Juveniles are plain grayish-brown; note bill shape. Native to Eurasia; introduced extensively across the globe. Often abundant, gathering in large flocks in open agricultural areas and towns and cities. Makes a variety of squeaky vocalizations, and often mimics other species.”
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
