Hawk, Tree, Capulin, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Hawk and tree near Capulin, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. After almost four months I’m still having fun traveling the endless miles of roads in the San Luis Valley, in southern Colorado. Heading out there again this week. Saddle up Larry, see you soon. Thanks for looking. G
San Luis Valley, Red Barn, Black And White
San Luis Valley, the red barn in black and white with a magnificent sky. Another great day out today, in and around the SLV (as it’s known locally), shooting video for a future project. I’ll let you know how it turns out. When it is done you’ll see it here. Thank you as always for checking in, looking and for all the comments and compliments. G
San Luis Valley Homestead, Colorado
San Luis Valley homestead, Colorado. A former family home on the plateau long ago deserted, currently frequented by scavengers who steal the copper wiring from the power lines and dwelling. The current owner allowed me access to the property but warned me of snakes. Consider me warned! It’s a lovely stop on my San Luis Valley photo tour, to learn the history and make some images, while pondering a bygone era. Thanks for looking. G
San Antonio Mountain, New Mexico
San Antonio Mountain, New Mexico with center pivot irrigation system, arching over the mountain. When I saw this scene I had a notion that I might be able to line the two up. I positioned my self and waited for the water stream to recycle. I was lucky that San Antonio Mountain (an extinct volcano, reputed the be the largest free standing mountain in the continental US) remained in the sunlight. Thanks for looking and for joining me in the moment. G
A Spell In The Shade
A spell in the shade. I like the idea of passing time sitting in the light and shadows as the sun passes over the open roof rafters. This one in the San Luis Valley last year in a root cellar out of the wind. When I look at this image I think of a piano sonata playing, resonating in memory. Thanks for looking. G
Killdeer, San Luis Valley, Lake, Colorado
Killdeer bird, along a lake shore in the San Luis Valley, southern Colorado. These long legged, little critters weave their way along the edge of the lake, chattering incessantly as they go. They’ll lead me in a direction away from the nest and it’s offspring. Here’s more info on these little guys. Thanks for looking. G
Ute Mountain, Cattle Hay Trough
Ute Mountain and a hay trough, with no cattle. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen cattle at this dispenser. It’s been here for a long time and I pass it often. It sits here somewhat lonely, forlorn looking. I’ve never stopped to photograph it, but on this day, what with the clouds, sky and all, I pulled over. I watched the shadows pass across the fields and over Ute Mountain, highlighting the feeder, dwarfed by the big sky. Black and white seemed like a good idea. Thanks for looking. G
Road G, Southern Colorado
Road G, in Southern Colorado. One of my favorite roads, not only as it’s my initial ‘G’, but because it was the road that carried me to the San Luis Valley for the first time in 1990. From Wild Horse Mesa in the east, I could look southwest to Ute Mountain, west to the Rio Grande and north through the valley to the 14,000 foot snowy peaks. And beyond, as far as the eyes could see! My parents were with me on that first trip. Every time I head into this area I carry a little part of them with me on my initial road! Thanks for looking. G
Swainson’s Hawk In Flight, Colorado
Swainson’s Hawk in flight, Colorado. I know where they live and nest, but the uncanny scrutiny this male is giving me suggests he knows where I live. Although… I’m pretty sure he could see himself clearly in the large front element on my lens. Thanks for looking. G
Nesting, Swainson’s Hawk, San Luis Valley
Nesting, Swainson’s Hawk, in the San Luis Valley, southern Colorado, from a few years ago now. I still head to this location but the nest and the tree are long gone. It feels much more remote than it used to without this tree. This was the only time I saw a hawk nesting here. I know that raptors abandon nests for the parasites to die off, only to return to it in another season. So it was wonderful when my friend Mark Collins and I spotted it occupied by this Swainson’s Hawk after a number of years. Stay safe and well in your nest. Thanks for looking. G
Red Barn, Revisiting, Under Rain Clouds
Red Barn. Revisiting this favorite old barn in the San Luis Valley to continue documenting it’s demise, this time under threatening rain clouds. It rained heavily, shortly after this shot, which sent me ducking quickly back into the car. It then snowed for a while on the way home. Not too bad a day, though, despite the weather on the road in southern Colorado. Thanks for looking. G
Winter, Hay Bales, San Luis Valley, CO
Winter, hay bales in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Flash back to winter this time last year, 2019. These monumental structures are scattered around the San Luis Valley. Some are larger than this. Monolithic hay bales stacked very precisely. Stonehenge comes to mind… all tidied up! Thanks for looking. G
Blanca Peak Massif, Snow And Ice
Blanca Peak Massif, snow and ice, southern Colorado. I’ve been here before and it often looks like this in winter. It’s a gorgeous spot at the side of a back road where the wind blows something fierce when it wants to. It doesn’t look it, but it was 7˚ out there on this day. Thanks for looking. G
Winter Fields, Red Barn, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Winter fields, red barn, San Luis Valley, Colorado. This is one of the most fertile valleys, surrounded by ancient, extinct volcanoes, lava cones and scattered scenes like this one. Another in this series of barns and abandoned homesteads of the San Luis Valley. Thanks for looking. G
Valley Homestead, Beyond The Fence
Valley homestead, beyond the fence in the San Luis Valley. If you are familiar with my work and my website you’ll recognize this old dwelling. Over the years the fence has also featured prominently in my images. Someone, at some point in time, peeled back the barbed wire in order to get access to the building. Personally, I like to document these abandoned homesteads from pretty much the same perspective for continuity and posterity. Here’s another view. Thanks for looking. G
Red Barn, San Luis Valley, Where The Rain Gets In
Red Barn, San Luis Valley, where the rain and light gets in. So many holes in the roof and walls to fix. Barn’s letting in the light. Soon there will be only holes and no barn. Thanks for looking. G
