Driftwood, Inland Beach, San Luis Valley
Driftwood, inland beach, San Luis Valley. Eastdale Lake (reservoir) is a body of water in the San Luis Valley attracting wild life, water fowl, birds and photographers. I got an invite from the land owner to visit this area. It has been fascinating and a privilege to watch the lake fill up with water this spring and summer and observe the creatures it attracts. So far I’ve seen Canada and snow geese, sandhill cranes, deer, wild horses, blackbirds, killdeer, heron, hawks and seagulls. Oh!… and driftwood from a previous high water mark. Life in the valley continues. Stay tuned and thanks for looking. G
Mountain Bluebird, Mesita, Colorado
Mountain Bluebird, Mesita, Colorado. Pretty sure this is a juvenile Mountain Bluebird. The bird emerged from one of the windows of an abandoned homestead we were photographing. It alighted on this bit of scrub nearby. The bluebirds are in abundance this year with ample opportunities for images. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Horses, Spring Time, Colorado
Wild Horses, spring time, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The stallion broke away from the two dozen other horses to chase down this mare across the fields. He was frisky… she wasn’t playing too hard to catch. There were three foals in this particular band of wild horses. I’m guessing there’ll be one more soon. Thanks for looking. G
Nesting Red-Tailed Hawk
Nesting Red-tailed Hawk in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. It’s that time of year again and all the usual nest locations are occupied, except one. The pair that raised two chicks in that particular nest last year, are now nesting in another tree close by. It’s a privilege getting to observe these families of raptors in their environment. Not wanting to disturb this bird we made a few images and moved on. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Horses, Colorado
Wild horses, Colorado. This pair hung close together and made for a nice pensive portrait. They were part of a larger tribe of about two dozen wild horses on the roadside in southern Colorado. Thanks for looking. G
Homestead, Tree, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Homestead with tree, on the plateau in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Today we criss-crossed the valley looking for a view of the Blanca Peak Massif. There were some great views of the spectacular fourteen thousand foot plus peak, but I always remember to look over my shoulder. Thanks for looking. G
Winter Field, Red Barn, San Luis Valley
Winter Field, with the red barn, on a photo tour in the San Luis Valley. It’s safe say that we will get more snow this spring, we won’t be seeing the hard core cold in this image. So, I’ll put it here and revisit it next winter for a holiday card. Thanks for looking. G
Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead
Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead. Met the owner of this place who was very generous to let me photograph in here. Someone has ripped out the copper pipe and wiring in the house, so it felt good to build a rapport with the owner. Anyway, goodness knows what the ghosts think of the looters who come in the night. Thanks for looking. G
Lake Reflections, Blanca Peak, Colorado
Lake Reflections, Blanca Peak, Colorado. On a photo tour/workshop last week we stopped in here at this location that afforded us this view. Sandhill cranes were foraging in the red willows. There were a couple of dozen seagulls, a blue heron aloft in a cottonwood, and a variety of ducks and geese along the shoreline. Thanks for looking. G
Clearing Storm, Warm Winter Light
Clearing storm, warm winter light. As the storm lifted, the soft light from a sun was dying to break out from the clouds. It hinted at a mild winter day to come. Not! The temps dropped again and shortly thereafter… the hand warmers came out. I also added a couple of warmers with an elastic band to the battery compartment. Thanks for looking. G
San Pedro, San Luis, Colorado
San Pedro, San Luis, Colorado. The old church of San Pedro and San Pablo, (Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo) Colorado. There are many of these churches of similar design scattered throughout the San Luis Valley. I’ll post some more, stay tuned. Over the last ten years I’ve built an inventory of images from the San Luis Valley, farming cultural and nature. Many of the structures are still thriving. Others are deteriorating fast, and many are returning to the earth. Thanks for looking. G
Potato Bunker, San Luis Valley
Potato Bunker, San Luis Valley. Fascinated with these abandoned utilities from a bygone era, I keep returning to spend time amongst the ghosts that inhabit it. A place where the ghosts are stirred only by the wind, an occasional barn owl, the coyote that lives in the den in the corner, and all wrapped up in moments of sheer silence. Cattle tend to frequent other ruins in the area where the roofs are intact. In this place, at some point in time, someone moved in some easy chairs, a sofa and school chairs. The valley is full of rustic remnants from the past, like this one, many collapsing in on themselves. If this is the kind of subject matter that interests you, join me on a photo tour/workshop. These old buildings also happen to be set in some of the most beautiful landscape in the region. Thanks for looking. G
Raven On The Post
Raven sitting on a fence post in a sun shower enjoying the last rays of light at sunset. Another raven was on a nearby post, with a lot to say as ravens often do. This bird didn’t answer or do much of anything. I like to think perhaps, it was actually enjoying the moment. Thanks for looking. G
Red Barn, Green Gate, Sandhill Cranes
Red Barn, Green Gate, Sandhill Cranes. Made another quick trip up the the National Wildlife Refuge today, where we saw so many Sandhill Cranes, thousands of Canada geese and two Snow Geese. If you have a chance this weekend to make a trip to this area you wont be disappointed. The one thing that really gets me is the call of the cranes. Thanks for continuing to look. G
Crooked Cross, Colorado
Crooked Cross, San Luis Valley, Colorado. I like the casual, rakish tilt of the cross on this authentic belfry with the exposed bell. These days the majority of bells are enclosed to keep out the pigeons, doves and other critters, you know, bats in the belfry. Thanks for looking. G
Palomino, Chama, Southern Colorado
Palomino, Chama, southern Colorado. Beautiful boy and gentle soul, in the high country of Colorado. When he wasn’t dozing off, he was yawning out loud. Another great day on a photo trek in in southern Colorado. I’ve spent five days here in the last fourteen. Besides this palomino we also met another gentle soul. A gentle man who shared a little of his life’s story with us. It was a very moving moment and we felt honored that he chose to share it with us. Thanks for looking. G
