Monte Vista NWR, CO, Bosque Del Apache, NWR, NM
Monte Vista NWR, CO, Bosque Del Apache, NWR, NM. The Sandhill Cranes head south from the northwest corner of the San Luis Valley, Colorado into New Mexico. Following the Rio Grande, as it winds it’s way through canyons, ancient pueblos and thick cottonwood bosques (woods), they pass through the states largest city Albuquerque. Navigating this way as they have for thousands of years they arrive at the nations premier wildlife refuge. At the Bosque del Apache they settle in for the long winter. The first photo is at Monte Vista, Colorado, in the afternoon. The second photo is from early morning at the Bosque del Apache, New Mexico. Thanks for looking. G
Red Barn, Hole In The Roof Sunset
Red Barn, hole in the roof sunset, San Luis Valley, Colorado. I haven’t been to visit the red barn in a while, just north of Ute Mountain, there on the left. The wind can be brutal in this area with many bits of the barn scattered around the perimeter. There are more and more openings in this old building, perfectly positioned, for the sun to peer through before setting across the plateau. Thanks for looking. G
Barley Fields, Ute Mountain, Colorado
Barley fields, Ute Mountain, San Luis Valley, Colorado. Interestingly enough, “Sting” was playing in Taos on Labor Day. Too many people (8000) in a small park in town for me to want to attend. But I do like his song “Fields of Gold” and I much prefer the solitude in these fields of golden barley. I grew up surrounded by barley and wheat fields in Yorkshire, England, so this scene took me back a ways. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Mustang, Southern Colorado
Wild Mustang, roaming in the San Luis Valley, southern Colorado. It was the stallion permitting us to participate in this encounter with these beautiful and powerful wild beings. Stomping his foot and showing his teeth we moved forward, cautious, in deference, as if in some form of supplication. As close as this is, we respected their space and with the aid of long lenses, were able to make images of these magnificent creatures. Click on photo to enlarge. Thanks for looking. G
Sunflowers Galore In The San Luis Valley
Sunflowers galore in the San Luis Valley. Made a quick trip to the valley today to shoot some drone footage with my friends. The Rio Grande was glistening in the late afternoon light from 400 feet. Down at ground level the sunflowers were glowing along the backroads. Thanks for looking. G
Barn and Bales, San Luis Valley
Barn and bales of hay, San Luis Valley, southern Colorado. I love the rural west. Palpable in it’s simplicity. The barn and hay were beyond a fence. I was so drawn to reach out to touch the bales and run my hand along their length and enter the barn. Thanks for looking. G
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
