Tag: San Cristobal

Spring, Northern New Mexico. 05-03-2023

Geraint May 3, 2023 29 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, on this beautiful Spring day. The light in the late afternoon is remarkable. The clouds roll through, and spring storms envelop the valleys and the mountain peaks in waves. The sun gets through where it will, spotlighting the new growth.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

San Cristobal Valley spring — A Spring day in the San Cristobal Valley.

The acequias, irrigation ditches that divert water across northern New Mexico are flowing full in the spring runoff. This time last year, New Mexico’s largest wildfire was underway, ultimately destroying 350,000+ acres. We are very grateful for the moisture this year.

Spring in the Taos Valley an acequia, in El Prado — Water in an acequia, irrigation ditch in El Prado, NM.

Flashback to North Wales, where I lived and worked at an Outdoor Pursuit Center on the west coast in 1974-75.

The Ogwen Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in North Wales. During that year, I spent many days rock climbing in the area with the guides and instructors I worked with. The Idwal slabs in the upper left of the picture are one of the most popular places to climb in Wales. I shot this picture on a return visit to Wales in 2013.

A year in Wales may sound like a long time to visit and see all the sites. I had never traversed the Crib Goch Ridge seen in the picture below while living there. On a visit there in 1982, it was time to add the route to the list of the places I climbed and hiked. It was a marvelous experience, one I’ll remember for life. It’s not a very difficult hike, but I did take along enough gear and clothing prepared should I have to spend the night out there. Weather in this part of Wales, with the storms coming off the Atlantic and Irish Seas, can change rapidly, turning a warm, early summer day into a winter day.

Crib Goch Snowdonia National Park, North Wales — Crib Goch, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, 1982

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G.

Little Birds, Happy Neighborhood. 03-22-23

Geraint March 22, 2023 48 Comments

Greetings from the San Cristobal Valley, NM. This week a series of images of some of the little birds that frequent our area of the planet, more precisely, our valley.

I hope you enjoy the following gallery of little birds.

Mountain Bluebird, a little bird that frequents our valley — Eastern Bluebird, a little bird that frequents our valley.

Juvenile white crowned sparrow — Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow.

A Cassin’s Finch so I was told. It could be a glorious house finch.

Cassin's Finch little bird — Cassin’s Finch.

Brown Headed Cowbird — Brown-headed Cowbird.

For the last few years, we’ve had a solitary Canyon Towhee in our garden. This shot was taken in a canyon, no less.

Woodhouse’s or Western Scrub-Jay?

Woodhouse's Western Scrub-Jay — Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, I think!

This is a Pinyon Jay, that I’m sure of. They have arrived in large flocks in the valley over the last two years, groups of a hundred to a few thousand.

Townsend's Solitaire — Townsend’s Solitaire.

The Red-winged Blackbirds nest in the cattails. Right about now there is a frenzy of activity and nest-building. The males are kept on their guard protecting the nesting spot.

The Magpie is every dog’s nemesis. They taunt our dogs and of course, our dogs take the bait.

This Evening Grosbeak was stunned following a window strike. I put it on the fence to recover. It did. Ten minutes later, it flew up into the crabapple tree.

This Northern Pygmy Owl would fit into a teacup and is smaller than most of the birds above.

Northern Pygmy Owl one of the little birds — Northern Pygmy Owl.

Not one of the truly little birds but not large either. It’s about the size of an American Crow.

Finally one of the rare visitors to the valley. I only spotted one Lewis’s Woodpecker this last year. Two years ago there were three at one time in the Ash tree.

Little birds rock the valley, my heart and soul.

Happy Spring.

As always, thank you for looking, and for all the comments, compliments, and well wishes. G

Northern New Mexico, Archive Selections. 03-15-2023

Geraint March 15, 2023 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal in the beautiful mountains of northern New Mexico.

I threw virtual darts at the archives this week, and the following images popped up. Northern New Mexico has continued to excite me for forty years. Here’s to many more.

The first two shots were taken during drives around the extended neighborhood, with the first on an evening photo shoot with friends from Kansas City.

Reflections in a large snow melt puddle Arroyo Seco, Northern New Mexico — Reflections in a large snow melt puddle, Arroyo Seco, New Mexico.

Nearby is a more expansive view across the meadow to the mountains with winter colors.

Des Montes and Taos mountains — Des Montes and the mountains of Taos.

I did a one-day shoot for AAA New Mexico Journeys Magazine eight years ago in Bandelier National Monument. The Alcove House pictured was accessible with an exciting climb up numerous, 30′ ladders. It was well worth the ascent with a backpack and tripod.

Alcove House Bandelier National Monument NM — Alcove House, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico.

The Quarai Ruins at the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument yielded this image on my third visit to the site. I created this image with three shots stitched vertically, in effect, a vertical panorama. This location isn’t technically northern New Mexico, more like central NM but I like it.

Quarai Salinas Pueblo Missions — Quarai Ruins, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

Refrain from stacking stones in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. I heard the Park Service tore it down shortly after I shot it. I know it wasn’t there on my next visit.

Cairn, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Northern New Mexico — Cairn, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM.

I enjoy a nice glass of wine when reading a book. Reading “House of Rain”, in the landscape it depicts was a perfect pairing. Thanks to Craig Childs for the many virtual adventures.

House of Rain, Craig Childs — Reading “House of Rain” by Craig Childs, and drinking wine.

One of the first panoramic shots I made of our mountains has been hanging in the waiting room at our local hospital ever since.

Taos Mountains of northern New Mexico — Taos Mountains sunset shot from across the plateau.

Below is the full moon shot in the Rio Grande Gorge. I love that I can stand on top of the highest point (Wheeler Peak) in New Mexico in the morning and spend the evening deep in the Rio Grande Gorge, watching the full moon grace the ridge cradled by a bare piñon tree.

Moon rise over the Rio Grande Gorge Pilar, NM — Moonrise over the Rio Grande Gorge in Pilar, New Mexico.

As I become more mobile I’m looking forward to working with a number of new and repeat photographer/clients. Join me this spring, summer, and fall on a photo trek around some of the best photo locations northern New Mexico has to offer.

Photography tour workshops — On location in…

As always, thank you for looking. Enjoy your week. G

Iconic Ute Mountain, The Plateau, New Mexico. 03-09-2023

Geraint March 8, 2023 24 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal. This week some views of Ute Mountain.

“Ute Mountain is a free-standing, Dacitic, extinct Pliocene volcanic cone”. That’s a mouthful. Besides being one of my revered peaks, it is also set in one of my favorite areas, the Taos Plateau Volcanic Field and the San Luis Valley. The mountain also lies within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

The images below encompass a span of almost twenty years.

On the home front, I feel the surgery on my foot will make my photo treks much more enjoyable for years to come.

Ute Mountain clouds — A localized weather pattern over Ute Mountain.

Road to Ute mountain — Road to the mountain.

Old sheep corral with Ute Mountain — Old sheep corral out on the plateau.

Ute Mountain on the Taos Plateau — A view from Guadalupe Mountain across the Taos Plateau.

Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Do you recognize the peak back there?

The image below is the one that initiated my fascination with this iconic landmark. Often, I will take a drive north, a pilgrimage of sorts, to visit the mountain. Click here if you want to see more images.

Near Costilla NM — Near Costilla, New Mexico.

Lastly, a couple of shots from closer to home.

Moon rise, San Cristobal — The moon rise this week from the deck in San Cristobal, NM.

And a view across the plateau and beyond to Cerro Pedernal (not a volcano but very much resembles one), “flint peak” near Abiquiu, NM. Immortalized by the artist Georgia O’Keeffe it can be seen from a vantage point behind our home. In the photo, Cerro Pedernal is probably 65-70 miles as the crow flies. The views out west extend a hundred miles or more on clear days. The vistas open like nowhere else, and the skies go on forever.

As always thank you for looking and visiting. And thank you for all the continued well wishes, comments, and compliments.

If you want the name of a wonderful foot and ankle specialist I can give you a recommendation! G

Lunar Occultation of Mars. Night Sky, 02-01-2023

Geraint February 1, 2023 20 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. Two days before, I’d heard that the lunar occultation (covering) of mars by the moon, was imminent, that it would begin and end between 9 to 11 pm MST. It turns out that here in northern NM, we would be on the periphery of the viewable range, in other words, we are too far north and will possibly, see Mars skirt the edge of the moon. As the evening went on, I became frustrated with the event, the frigid temps dwindling batteries, and cold hands. After a few trips indoors to warm up, I was ready to call it a night.

Here’s the first shot of the moon and Mars when I saw it. The moon’s direction of travel in the first image is from the lower to the upper part of the frame. Is there an up and down in space? Click to enlarge.

January 30, 2023, Lunar occultation of Mars.

After a lengthy warm-up by the woodstove cupping a glass of whisky, I went back to the camera set up on the deck, got the moon in my viewfinder, and spotted Mars about to vanish behind the moon. Mars is on the upper right edge of the moon.

The Lunar occultation of mars — The Lunar occultation (covering) of Mars occurs.

Lunar occultation, Mars emerges from behind the moon — Mars emerges from behind the moon.

Here’s a close-up of the planet Mars emerging. The time frame of this event was about 20 minutes. Time on the deck from start to finish 2.5 hours.

Lastly this week, I have to share the birds Three crows, eyes left!

American crows cottonwood tree — Three American Crows in the old cottonwood tree, San Cristobal.

One of a very large flock of Pinyon Jays in the garden this week. They emptied the bird feed in twenty minutes. This bird was waiting for it’s opportunity to feed but it doesn’t look very enthusiastic.

Pinyon Jay one of a large flock. — Pinyon Jay.

As always, thanks for looking and for all your kind words and compliments.

San Cristobal Valley, Winter, Ranchos de Taos. 01-18-2023

Geraint January 18, 2023 18 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal Valley. Winter is beginning to settle in, with temperatures dropping to single digits and a decent amount of snow. Not at all the amount we are used to, but we’ll take it.

Last week, on my way home, I just had to pull over to watch the shadows move through our valley. Ten years ago, I shot this same scene. It became the centerpiece in our galley and home and has been a best seller since then. I don’t think I could ever top it though I keep trying. As you can see, the foreground is overgrown, with the meadow obscured.

San Cristobal valley cottonwoods — San Cristobal Valley.

Here is the same view, one of my iconic images from ten years ago. Here is the same location in fall 2020.

San Cristobal valley cottonwoods, and aspens — San Cristobal Valley cottonwoods, and aspens

That cottonwood and willows in Arroyo Hondo, I can’t seem to pass this spot without making an image.

Arroyo Hondo cottonwood, willows. — Arroyo Hondo cottonwood and willows.

Early one morning this week I went south to the adobe mission church of Saint Francis in Ranchos de Taos. This iconic building always looks good with accents of snow and a dramatic sky. One important feature of this image… I arrived in time to get a photo before the parking area filled with cars.

Saint Francis church, Ranchos de Taos, NM.

Below is an image from December 2010 on the road that connects the villages of Arroyo Hondo and Arroyo Seco. When I had my gallery in Arroyo Seco I drove this route most days. It’s a sweet country road with close-up views of the surrounding mountains. It is an especially beautiful, and magical drive when the hoar frost covers the trees and landscape.

Hondo, Seco Road, New Mexico — Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco Road, New Mexico

If you plan to visit New Mexico this year and have a desire to improve your photographic skills, and see locations off the beaten track, look me up and consider a photography tour/workshop. I’ll look forward to meeting and working with you in some of my favorite places in the area.

As always, thank you for looking. G

San Luis Valley, Horses, Birds, Sunset, 01-04-2023

Geraint January 4, 2023 16 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal. I had a lovely time shooting in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, which always makes me smile, followed by some random images around the area this holiday season. You may recognize this scene. I visit it often on photo tours and workshops in southern Colorado.

Blanca peak and wild horses san luis valley, Colorado — Blanca Peak with wild horses in the San Luis Valley, Colorado.

Wild Horses, San Luis Valley — Wild Horses and crows.

Corraled by the creek, and then the escape. I opened the car door to get out, and the horses, surprised, jumped the fence. I missed that! The payoff came in the following two images.

Wild Horses running through fields in Colorado — Wild horses running through fields in Colorado.

Wild Horses running, San Luis Valley — Wild horses, southern Colorado.

One mild morning last week, my son Dylan and I walked through the Fred Baca Park Wetlands and Rio Fernando Park. There wasn’t a lot going on, which was very nice. I did take a camera and caught a shot of a Townsend’s Solitaire being solitary in a bare tree. A peaceful walk surrounded the muted colors of winter.

Townsend's Solitaire, Fred Baca Park Wetlands, Taos — Townsend Solitaire, Fred Baca Park Wetlands, Taos.

One afternoon a Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay and Northern Flicker, settled in our old cottonwood tree in San Cristobal.

Northern Flicker, and Western Scrub Jay San Cristobal — Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay and Northern Flicker.

Seeing out the New Year, we were watching a sunset cloud from the deck.

Sunset Cloud San Cristobal — Sunset Cloud over Taos Mountain, from San Cristobal.

Lastly, a flashback to Spring 1987, on a trip I made with four friends, Martin, Frank, Ken, and Dave. Frank and I got set up each morning and evening at our primitive campsite to capture the sunrise, or in this instance, waiting on the sunset. I took this shot of our two Rollei’s, Franks Deerdorf, and my Nikon F3.

Monument Valley cameras — Cameras set up at the Mittens, Monument Valley.

As always, Thank you for looking. Happy New Year. G

Lunar Eclipse, Taos Mountains, Snow. 11-09-22

Geraint November 9, 2022 25 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. This week I got up to watch the lunar eclipse. I hadn’t intended to photograph it. I’ve shot it so many times before. When I looked out the window I couldn’t resist. The sky was crystal clear, and the stars were genuinely twinkling. The “cold-hearted orb” wasn’t. It warmed up the night sky and I felt it. I got the camera set up in the front doorway, out of the cold and wind, and began shooting. The most significant impact it had on Pami and me was how three-dimensional it appeared suspended amongst the stars. It was another wonderful, lunar eclipse-watching night. I can honestly say that I will continue to get up to watch future eclipses from now on.

Click on images to enlarge and view individually.

Total lunar eclipse moon — Lunar eclipse, totality, from our front door, San Cristobal, NM

The day before the eclipse our moon rose unblemished in clear skies, visible out the dining room window, although I did go outside for this shot.

New snow in our mountains last week.

Significant snowfall on Taos Mountains — Snowfall on Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain in El Prado, Taos, NM

Snowfall on Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain in El Prado — Snowfall on Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain shot on iPhone 13 Pro Max

I had originally considered driving south to the Taos tipis for a shot. I thought of a composite instead. This is what I came up with. Here’s the image with the tipis and lunar eclipse from April 2015

As always, thank you for looking. G

Rio Chama, Abiquiu, Two Tipis, 11-02-22

Geraint November 2, 2022 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. The colors last week on the Rio Chama and Abiquiu were stunning. This is a short post this week with an image of the fall colors in Abiquiu and a flashback of two tipis this week in the San Cristobal Valley in 2012.

Thank you to all who came out to see my exhibit, it has been an exciting and successful show. A very big thank you to those who purchased a work of art! Thank you!

Stay tuned for more info on my next group show in Taos.

Fall colors along the Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM

Have a wonderful rest of your fall.

As always, thank you for looking. G

And The New Mexico Treasures Calendar Winners Are… 09-07-22

Geraint September 7, 2022 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. It’s time to announce the winners of the New Mexico Treasures calendar. Drumroll, please!

New Mexico Treasures 2023 desk top calendar.

There were 116 entries.

Congratulations to the winners of the drawing for the New Mexico Treasures 2023 Calendar, Bob Freudenheim, Mary Alston, Linda Flanagan, and Joe Riter. I will be in touch this weekend to get your mailing addresses or send me a message here on my website with your mailing address through my contact form.

Thank you to everyone who participated. It was fun for me to read all the comments and although there were too many to answer, I read every one!

This coming week I’ll be on photo tours on the High Road to Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge, Abiquiu, the San Luis Valley, and Salida, Colorado.

I’ll have some new images to post next week from the above locations. In the meantime, I’ll be preparing for my two upcoming exhibits.

I’m honored to join the other fine artists in “The Taos Artist Combo II Exhibit and Sale” join us and bring all your friends and family for this special Taos art celebration and gathering at the Stables Gallery at the TCA in Taos from Sept 23-25. A special meet the artist’s reception takes place at the Grand Opening Friday, Sept 23 from 4-7 PM. Artists include Frederick Aragon, Bill Davis, Audrey Davis, Gene Gray, Sara Jean Gray, Celesa Lucien, Rob Nightingale, Margery Reading, George Schaub, Geraint Smith, and Doug Yeager. The gallery is open Friday to Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM

The Stables Gallery is located at: 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571

And…

Geraint Smith Exhibit at the Bareiss Galley Taos

… coming up in October! Mark your calendars.

On October 7-31, 2022, I will have a solo exhibition of my Sculpture and Photography, all new work, at the Bareiss Gallery here in Taos

If you get a chance to visit either show or both shows it will be great to see/meet you.

Preparing the exhibit. — Preparing for the exhibit at Bareiss Gallery, Taos.

As always, thank you for looking, your support and friendship, purchases, comments, and compliments.
Geraint.