Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Southern Colorado

Milky Way, Lobatos Bridge, Colorado. 09-28-22

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond. Last weekend, we had a fabulous, showing of work at the Stables Gallery in Taos. I want to thank everyone who came out and for your support in comments, compliments, and purchases. Many new works found homes. Thank you!

It’s Milky Way season! My friend, photographer, and filmmaker John Williams visited us from Boulder during the weekend. We took the opportunity to make a drive out to the Lobatos Bridge that crosses the Rio Grande in southern Colorado to capture the milky way. It was very dark on the edge of the cliffs, but we managed to pull off a decent image when an old truck crossed over, filling the area with light and fumes. One more vehicle drove over a little later, and that was it, just us, the river, the bridge, and the stars in a pristine, clear sky.

The Milky Way at the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
The Milky Way is seen at the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

The bridge with the ghostly figure of John in the middle.

Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

Fast approaching is my solo exhibit at Bareiss Gallery here in Taos. I look forward to seeing those who can make it. The opening reception will be on October 7, from 3 – 6 pm (maybe it will last longer). The gallery will be open 9 – 2 pm on weekdays. I’ll be there on the weekends and by appointment. Come and visit. It will be great to meet you.

Geraint Smith Exhibit at the Bareiss Galley Taos
Bareiss Gallery Exhibit.

As always thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Wolf Moon Rising, Taos Mountain, Abiquiu Lake.

It’s been a busy week, so I’m making a short blog post of an epic wolf moon rising in color and black and white, over the Sangre de Cristo section of the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado. The moon was huge when it rose behind the snow-capped peaks. I was on a photo tour with my client at the time. I think we positioned ourselves just right. I had a good idea where the moon would rise drawing on my experience from my many trips throughout the area. That said, I used “The Photographer’s Ephemeris” to confirm the location. It’s a wonderful app. Click on the images to enlarge.

Wolf Moon Sangre de Cristo mountains
Wolf Moon, over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado.

Wolf Moon rising, black and white
Wolf Moon rising in black and white.

Of course, I can’t drive past this spot without stopping to take a photo, if it’s remotely nice. The forecast calls for snow on the peaks again this evening. I’m looking forward to it. We need it!

Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain, El Prado, New Mexico.
Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain from El Prado, (The Meadows).

A minimalist composition of a bench overlooking the boat dock at Abiquiu Lake. We were photographing the stark reflection of Cerro Pedernal in a glassy lake. I always remember to look in the opposite direction.

Bench and boat dock at Abiquiu Lake
Bench and boat dock at Abiquiu Lake, NM

As always, thank you for looking, for all the comments and compliments. Have a good week. G

Winter Homestead, Abandoned, San Luis Valley, Colorado

Winter homestead, abandoned in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Still in someone’s family but no family living there, so I added a little warmth to this winter scene. Thanks for looking. Season’s greetings to you and your family. Best wishes. Geraint

san_luis_valley_homestead_barn_8747_8749-9571694

Hopewell Lake, Photography Tour, Northern New Mexico

Hopewell Lake on a photography tour northern New Mexico and southern Colorado today. We spent some of the morning working the lakeshore for reflections. Later we hiked into nearby aspen groves with carpets of fallen leaves, and lying on our backs we photographed the lanky tree trunks and canopy against the blue sky. On the drive home, we stopped and to enjoy the many aspen vistas around nearly every bend in the road. Thanks for looking. G

Hopewell Lake, Photography Tour, Northern New Mexico

Film, License, Pop, Cards, Ice, San Luis

Film, License, Pop, Cards, Ice. Just across the street from yesterday’s mural image, in the “oldest town” in Colorado, is “R and R Market” established 1857 ergo the “oldest shop” in Colorado. Thanks for looking. G

Film, License, Pop, Cards, Ice.

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 Luis Valley homestead, Colorado

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

Killdeer, along a lake shore in the San Luis Valley, Colorado

Lobatos Bridge, Rio Grande Crossing

Lobatos Bridge, spans the Rio Grande in southern Colorado. This was on my last photo tour, March 11, 2020. It was a beautiful day and a fitting end, for the time being, of what was ramping up to be a busy year for photo tour/workshops. I have wonderful clients and I’ve rescheduled a number of trips with other trips on hold. Pending the outcome of our current situation, I’ll be signing up trips again soon. If you’re considering a tour/workshop for 2021 please get in touch. In the meantime, I have books available, with many of the locations we visit included. Thanks, as always, for looking. G

Lobatos Bridge, spans the Rio Grande in southern Colorado.

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

Road G, in Southern Colorado.

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

Nesting, Swainson's Hawk, San Luis Valley