Glenfinnan Viaduct, A Flashback, And More. 05-08-2024

Geraint May 7, 2024 3 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. This week the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland, is a flashback to 2013. It’s been a while since I’ve made a post from the “old country”. So here’s one of the Jacobite Steam Train, a tourist ride also known as the “Hogwarts Express’ from the Harry Potter movies. It’s an impressive site and worth the wait in pouring rain to watch it go by under full steam. I’ve ridden quite a few steam trains over the years. They were still running in Wales for the first ten years of my life, so I know what it’s like to stick my head out the window and to have the steam and soot blow in my face. Here in Taos, we are just over an hour’s drive from Antonito Colorado, and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Train Ride.

Glenfinnan Viaduct Jacobite Steam train — Glenfinnan Viaduct with the Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland.

Do you like it in black and white?

Harry Potter train on the Glenfinnan Viaduct in black and whiite — The Hogwarts Express in black and white.

Random images from the last few weeks.

Or do you prefer black and white?

Vallecito Mountain snows. The snow will stick around for a while longer with more snow possible well into May/June.

Vallecito Peak snows — Vallecito Mountain snows.

I went back down the trail last week and covered almost six miles to find the cactus location from the previous week. I found them still blooming beautifully, clinging to the rock walls of the Rio Grande Gorge.

A slightly different view of the same plant. I had to lean out just a little farther for this angle.

Claret cup cactus Rio Grande Gorge Rim Trail.

I am closing out this week with a sunset across the Taos Plateau.

As always, thanks for visiting and looking. Have a great week. G

Sunset Clouds, Moon Set, Bighorn Sheep, 05-10-2023.

Geraint May 10, 2023 17 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal. This week some images from northern New Mexico, Scotland, and England.

I shot the dramatic image of sunset clouds from a friend’s land near the village of Tres Piedras, just off US Highway 64, the other mother road. I took the moonset out of the bedroom window. I shot it ten years ago, but this is how it looked when the full moon set last Saturday morning. We have spectacular views where we live across the volcanic plateau to the west. The clouds at sunset appear to roll over the landscape and beyond over the mountains.

I threw a virtual dart at one of my hard drives again, and this image of a bighorn sheep ram popped up. I don’t know much about their nature, but, I do know, they own the canyons and rocks.

Bighorn sheep ram, Rio Grande Gorge, NM.

An early morning shot on a photo tour at the iconic Saint Francis Church.

Shadows at the Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos, NM.

I came across this image when scanning slides a couple of weeks ago. I collaborated with a writer in 1989 on a story on the churches on the high road to Taos. The story was not published, but we had a good time, made many images, and learned a lot about the history, people, and culture of northern New Mexico.

Padre José Lopez, Cordova, NM 1989 — Padre José Lopez, Cordova, NM, Kodachrome 1989.

Rock stackers are everywhere. I shot this image in Scotland a few years ago. It doesn’t work for me in wilderness areas. Besides, cairns make less obvious trails on the mountains and moors and are essential to finding one’s way. What you see in this photo, is a place just beyond the road where bus tours and cars stop to admire the view. What do you think?

Stacked rocks, Scotland — Stacked rocks, somewhere in Scotland.

I love that nature will thrive wherever and however, it will. This tenacious tree seems to be doing quite well.

Hillside tree, Yorkshire, England — Hillside Tree, Yorkshire, England.

I’m up and fully mobile again. I’m walking up to 2+ miles a day. Some days less, some days more. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who checked in on me. Immeasurably thanks and gratitude to my lovely wife, Pami, for taking care and putting up with me!

What started with a picture of sunset clouds took me, once again, down the hard drive rabbit hole.

I look forward to seeing you in New Mexico if it’s on your travel plans this year.

As always, thank you for looking. G

Random Images From Scotland. 04-12-2023

Geraint April 12, 2023 31 Comments

Greetings from the San Cristobal, NM. and beyond from Scotland.

Over the years, distant memories travel to the forefront of my mind’s eye. I’m prompted to look up the pictures to support my memories. I like to gratify my remembrances by reliving the trips I made. One of these days, I’ll load up the scanner with slides from trips before the digital era and post them here.

For now, I’ll settle for the images below from Scotland. I hope you enjoy them.

We arrived at Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland after sunset. The castle was glowing in evening splendor, so we found a vantage point where I could put the camera on a bean bag on a post for a twenty-second exposure. The mist gave the scene a look of mystery. Overall, I was pleased with the shot.

Eilean Donan Castle Scotland — Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

The next day the weather was expected and familiar. Overcast and drizzling.

Driving through Glencoe, we pulled over to enjoy the waning light on the landscape. As we returned to the car, Pami and I looked up and exclaimed in unison, “Oh, look!” There was a red stag watching us. He had probably been watching us for the time we were watching the light fade. I made the picture of the red stag in almost darkness, but the image of it standing there stock steady, with us locked in its gaze, is magnified and emblazoned on our hearts and minds forever.

Red stag, Glencoe, Scotland — Red stag, Glencoe.

This tree has grown in notoriety over the years. It appears to be growing out of the rock. A closer look revealed that the tree was growing down through a crack, its roots spread out under the rock. Perhaps a symbol of the tenacity and spirit of the people of Scotland.

Tree growing out of a rock Scotland — A tree growing out of a rock, in the highlands.

The moisture on the lichen made for marvelous patterns. We could have taken many photos of grave markers and rock walls all day. I think we did!

Lichen on Celtic Cross — Lichen on a Celtic Cross.

I had always wanted to visit Glenfinnan and see the viaduct. You may recognize it from the Harry Potter films and numerous other movies. We waited a while for the train to arrive and cross the viaduct. It began to rain, of course! I liked the mood the weather created, and the locomotive was in full steam. If you get a chance to visit Glenfinnan, there is more to amaze in the area than just seeing the train.

We visited many more places on our three-week trip. The Isle of Skye was another highlight. I hope you enjoyed this quick visit.

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

Elgol, Cuillin Hills, Rainbow, Isle Of Skye, Scotland

Geraint July 8, 2020 6 Comments

Elgol and the Cuillin Hills, rainbow on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Flashback 2013. Frankly, I would love to be quarantined here for the rest of this year. Alas, another time. This day the wind was cold, howling, jostling me around on the breakwater wall but I didn’t care. Thanks for looking. G

Isle Of Skye, Scotland

Geraint February 21, 2020 14 Comments

Isle of Skye, Scotland. Loch Cill Chriosd, a flashback to 2013 on a trip through England, Scotland and Wales. Hey Ron, thanks for the inspiration to go through the archives. I hope your trip is wonderful. Thanks for looking. G

Highlands Of Scotland Tree

Geraint November 22, 2017 4 Comments

Highlands of Scotland, tree, where there are no trees, and seemingly growing out of a rock. Flashback fall to 2013 in the Scottish Highlands. Thanks for looking and a happy thanksgiving. G

Here’s a few images from our last trip to Scotland.

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/october_13/oct_20_13.html

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/october_13/oct_21_13.html

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/october_13/oct_22_13.html

And here is the same tree from the view we first saw.

https://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/june_16/june_30_16.html

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Scotland