Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Scotland

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

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.

Sunset clouds from Tres Piedras, NM
Sunset clouds from Tres Piedras, NM.
Moon set from San Cristobal, NM
Moon set from San Cristobal, NM.

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
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
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

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.

Rainy day at Eilean Donan Castle
Rainy day at Eilean Donan Castle.

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.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
Glenfinnan Viaduct.

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

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

Elgol and the Cuillin Hills, Isle of Skye, Scotland,

Isle Of Skye, Scotland

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

Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Highlands Of Scotland Tree

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

highland_tree_7584_7589-1-7352833

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