Tag: Taos

Wildflowers Around Taos. 07-30-2025.

Geraint July 29, 2025 18 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, the neighborhood is bursting with wildflowers. I took an early morning hike with the dogs today. It was still quite cool, and the signs of incoming weather prompted us to keep it short, a 4.5-mile round trip on the Columbine Canyon Trail. The wildflowers are in full bloom and looking beautiful, although the dogs seemed a bit impatient, frequently giving me looks that seemed to ask, “Are we stopping again?” We turned around and started heading back down the trail, chatting and interacting with other hikers along the way. Although it’s mostly uphill and the climb is moderate, the descent is much quicker. I need to train the dogs to slow me down on the way down; their pulling was very helpful on the way up!

Columbine and other plants — Columbine, Fireweed and other plants.

Mexican Hat flowers everywhere, especially along highways and meadows at 10,000 ft.

Shooting stars in the high country. — Shooting Stars in the high country.

Wild Columbine, Italianos trail, Hondo Canyon.

Showy Locoweed. Details on this plant, as pretty as it is.

Indian Paintbrush in the Valle Vidal, Valley of Life.

I think this hummingbird is in amongst Rocky Mountain Penstemon growing wild in the Moreno Valley, NM.

My friend David Marks on the trail a few years ago in Taos Ski Valley. Check out his website for some superb wildlife and his journey in phoytography.

Photographing wildflowers in the creek at Taos Ski Valley.

Next month the sunflowers wildflowers of the valley will be showing up along the roadsides. I hope I get to see them this year before the road crews mow them down.

Here’s the print of the week, I call it Sunflower Shower.

Sunflower Sun Shower — Sunflower Shower.

As always, thanks for looking. I think my comments section is working again. So if you’re inclined to comment, I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great week. G

Gallery Wall – 07-23-2025

Geraint July 23, 2025 2 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, the gallery wall.

Repairing and painting windows, washing the dogs from all the mud brought on by the glorious rain that we’ve had in the area, and editing images for AAA Journeys Magazine brought me right up to now, with a few moments for my weekly website post. The real reason could be that I haven’t been on the road out shooting much over the last few weeks.

This image was taken in Cimarron, NM.

Enjoy!

gallery wall - "another interpretation". — Gallery Wall – “Another Interpretation”.

I found the Last Supper in this picture on a grave marker in the San Luis Valley, Colorado.

Gallery walls, Last Supper — The “Last Supper” held

I found this image of a sticker on a guardrail near a most pristine vista, the farthest removed location from a nervous breakdown.

Gallery Wall "Nervous breakdown". — Gallery Wall “Nervous breakdown”

I have two shows coming up, one in September and one next May, both at the Stables Gallery in Taos. I’ll post more on these events later.

Print of the week this week…(I missed a couple of weeks) in Cottonwood, Sunset Light.

I just received a new shipment of copies of my book. They make great gifts for those who love this area of New Mexico.

Book - Rio Grande del Norte-An Intimate Portrait — Rio Grande del Norte – An Intimate Portrait

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

Flashback Wednesday, 07-16-2025

Geraint July 16, 2025 No Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, a flashback with images originally posted on July 16, going back fifteen years. I’ve been on assignment this week for AAA magazine, lots of images to process, so I’m posting images here from the archive.

I hope you enjoy this flashback. You can see more images from the early years at this link:
The Photo of the Day 2005-2016

July 16, 2015.

Flashback, Cerro Pedernal Storm — Storm, Cerro Pedernal, NM

July 16, 2011.

July 16, 2014.

Flashback St. Francis Shadows — St. Francis Shadows, Ranchos de Taos.

July 16, 2016.

Columbine Williams Lake Trail — Columbine, Williams Lake Trail.

July 16, 2012

Harley Davidson Road King, Arroyo Seco, NM — Harley-Davidson Road King, Arroyo Seco, NM.

July 16, 2010.

Walking Rain across the Plateau. — Walking rain across the Plateau, west of Taos.

I could keep going, but there are limits. If you want to see more, click the link at the top of the page.

As always, thanks for looking and for all the comments, emails, and compliments. G

Pow Wow, Taos Pueblo. 07-09-2025

Geraint July 9, 2025 4 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, the Taos Pueblo Pow Wow is taking place, and below are some images that reflect the vibrant energy and light of the event. If you’re in Taos this coming weekend, don’t miss the chance to experience the Taos Pueblo Pow Wow. It promises to be an enthralling experience. The event runs from July 11, 2025, to July 13, 2025. Hope to see you there!

Pow Wow, Taos Pueblo, Waiting for the grand entry. — Pow Wow, Taos Pueblo, and rainbow.

Below are some images from the middle 1980’s, shot on Kodachrome slide film and scanned.

And the year before the Covid shutdown. “Chief from Saskatchewan”.

Powwow participant — Taking a stretch break.

Then a trip to the Pueblo itself is always fascinating.

Taos Pueblo Visit. On A Street Corner. 07-19-2023

As always, thanks for looking, and all the comments and compliments. Have a great week and I hope to see you out there. G

Red-Winged Blackbird, Poem. 07-02-2025.

Geraint July 2, 2025 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, my photo of a red-winged blackbird and a poem shared by a friend on Facebook. I thought I’d share this moment of beauty.

Red-winged blackbird Ranchos de Taos NM — Red-winged blackbird, Ranchos de Taos NM

The Poem:

We were riding through frozen fields in a wagon at dawn.
A red wing rose in the darkness.
And suddenly a hare ran across the road.
One of us pointed to it with his hand.
That was long ago. Today neither of them is alive,
Not the hare, nor the man who made the gesture.
O my love, where are they, where are they going
The flash of a hand, streak of movement, rustle of pebbles.
I ask not out of sorrow, but in wonder.
~ Czesław Miłosz

Summer Solstice. 06-18-2025.

Geraint June 18, 2025 10 Comments

Hello from San Cristobal, New Mexico! This weekend marks the summer solstice, occurring on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 8:42 p.m. MDT. Over the years, I have made it a tradition to spend both the summer and winter solstices out with my camera, often capturing images at the precise moment of the solstice. While it’s not always eventful, the occasions when I do capture something are particularly memorable and enjoyable.

Below, I’ve shared some images from previous years where I managed to capture moments during the summer solstice that were especially meaningful to me. One of my favorites was taken in Plaza Blanca, NM. It was also a relief to find some shade in an alcove where I set up for the shot. Enjoy!

Summer Solstice Plaza Blanca — Summer Solstice, Plaza Blanca, NM.

I hope you’ll enjoy the following moments and can get out on Friday for the Summer Solstice, and catch the moment.

Pond plant reflections. — Pond plant reflections, Taos.

Muskrat eating at the Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM.

A visit to Valle Vidal is sure to be filled with delightful experiences.

Fajada Butte sun star, Chaco Canyon, NM.

And lastly the print of the week, a solstice moment taken in Taos NM,

Print of the week, Taos Mountain Trees — Taos Mountain Trees.

As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Landscapes And More. 06-04-2025

Geraint June 4, 2025 2 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM! This week, I’m excited to showcase landscapes and more in current and upcoming publications. Don’t miss my print of the week feature, highlighting a captivating image for your collection. I also had the honor of participating in a podcast Q&A on Landscape Photography with esteemed experts Bill Shapiro and Dr. Grant Scott, offering valuable insights and inspiration.

This week, my work appears in the current edition of Enchanted Outpost magazine. You may remember when I was the featured artist in their premier edition.

Thanks to all at Enchanted Outpost.

Blanca Peak, Colorado Landscapes — Blanca Peak, a favorite of Colorado Landscapes.

The Taos News, our esteemed and multi-award-winning small-town newspaper, has featured the following three images in its summer guide.

Ute Mountain Road — Road to Ute Mountain.

Shooting stars, wildflowers Taos Ski Valley — Shooting stars, wildflowers in Taos Ski Valley.

A ladder at the Picuris Pueblo Church restoration.

And in the upcoming New Mexico Treasures 2026 desktop calendar, the following four images are featured. The calendar is due out in July and sells out quickly.

Rainbow, San Cristobal — Rainbow, Columbine Hondo Wilderness from San Cristobal, NM.

Crescent moon and Venus over the San Cristobal Chapel — Crescent Moon and Venus over the San Cristobal Chapel.

Snow melt, Weeping Walls, Taos — Snow melt, “Weeping Walls, Taos”.

Rio Grande Gorge bridge in fog — Fog lifting at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Podcast Q&A on Landscape Photography with esteemed experts Bill Shapiro and Dr. Grant Scott.

Lastly, the print of the week, El Prado Cottonwood Light, is one of my favorite landscapes.

Print of the week, El Prado Cottonwoods — El Prado Cottonwoods.

As always, thank you for looking. I’m honored and grateful for every opportunity to share my work that shines a light on this place I call home. Have a great week. G

Greetings From New Mexico. 04-30-2025

Geraint April 30, 2025 6 Comments

Greetings from New Mexico. This week, I have some new offerings and a flashback to the early days with an updated twist on the vintage postcards that occupied many card racks at visitor centers and gas stations.

Vintage travel postcards served not only as souvenirs but also as instruments of national and regional branding. They projected idealized visions of travel destinations, often blending nostalgia, boosterism, and artistry. Today, they’re valued as collectibles and windows into the visual culture of past generations.

Below are a few of the creations I conjured up over the weekend using my imagery from around this part of northern New Mexico. Enjoy!

Vintage Postcard — Idealized vintage style postcard.

Saint Francis Church, New Mexico. — Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos.

Milkyway Tipi — Milky Way with Jupiter and the Tipi.

And just for the heck of it, greetings from Utah!

They make great gifts as posters and greeting cards. Send me a message.

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

Want to Read More… about vintage cards?

Less is More, More or Less. 04-23-2025

Geraint April 22, 2025 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM This week, saying less is more, more or less.

The old saying “less is more” came to mind when I spotted this van at the trailhead covered in stickers. It was so overwhelming, I certainly didn’t take the time to read more than a few of them. To each their own.

Less is more, van stickers — More is less! Van stickers in Taos.

While browsing my archive, I came across the photos above, followed by this one from Cow Canyon Trading Post in Bluff, Utah. Here’s my shot from 2004 of the Buick Super Eight.
Can less say more? I think so.

And below, a magpie nest that had fallen from a juniper tree on our property. Its exposed structure reveals the intricate work and craftsmanship involved in building a home for a young magpie family—a perfect example, I think, of using only what’s essential.

Magpie nest, inside out less is more. — Magpie nest, inside out, with the roof blown off.

As a side note, I left the nest untouched for a year, in case the magpies wanted to reuse the twigs for their next brood. They did return, but built a new nest from scratch, so I repurposed the old twigs to create the Dancing Magpie Ladder series in this featured post.

As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Less Is More

“Less is more” is more than just a design principle—it’s a philosophy, a mindset, and often, a path to clarity. Coined by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the phrase suggests that simplicity and restraint can lead to greater impact, beauty, and meaning.

In a world saturated with noise, distractions, and excess, the idea of less invites us to strip away what is unnecessary. Whether in art, architecture, writing, photography, or everyday life, reducing clutter, both physical and mental, can reveal the essence of what truly matters.

Minimalism doesn’t mean emptiness; it shows intentionality. It’s the white space in a painting that gives form to the figure, the pause in a piece of music that deepens emotion, or the lone word on a page that hits harder than a paragraph. In photography, for example, a single subject placed in a wide, empty frame can tell a more powerful story than a busy scene ever could.

“Less is more” is a reminder to trust simplicity: to allow space for interpretation, for breath, for depth; to do less, but do it better; to own less, but feel more; to speak less, but say what truly counts.

In the end, less is not a loss. It’s a refinement, a distillation of what’s essential. And often, it’s where we find the most beauty.

Minimalist Abstract Art, The Square. 04-16-2025

Geraint April 16, 2025 4 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, minimalist abstract art in a square format.

In June 2024, I said there might be another post of random abstraction, and as I have so many of this type of image, mostly shot on an iPhone, here goes.

Click on an image to expand and click off it to go back. Enjoy!

Love minimalist abstract art in Trinidad, Colorado

I wrote some sentences and put them as prompts into Grammarly and ChatGPT. This is what they came up with, modified further by me. Let me know your thoughts.

The Allure of Minimalist Abstract Art in Square Format

In a world saturated with noise and complexity, minimalist abstract art offers a visual breath of fresh air—clean lines, subtle textures, and intentional simplicity. When paired with the symmetry of a square format, this genre takes on a uniquely balanced and meditative quality that resonates deeply in modern spaces.

Why Square?
The square canvas provides perfect equilibrium. Unlike rectangles, which inherently suggest direction, the square is neutral—neither vertical nor horizontal. This neutrality invites the viewer to experience the artwork without predetermined movement, making it an ideal playground for minimalist expression.

Less is Powerful
Minimalist abstract art thrives on reduction. It strips away the nonessential, leaving only what truly matters: form, color, space, and emotion. A single brushstroke, a subtle shift in tone, or a geometric repetition can evoke calm, curiosity, or contemplation.

Harmony in Design
Whether hanging solo or as part of a grid, square-format minimalist pieces create rhythm and order. Their visual harmony complements contemporary interiors, bringing structure to eclectic rooms or serenity to stark spaces. They don’t shout—they whisper, and in that quietness, they speak volumes.

Final Thoughts
Minimalist abstract art in a square format isn’t about what you see—it’s about what you feel. It’s not minimal for the sake of aesthetics but to create space: for thought, stillness, and connection. In its quiet, it offers a rare and refreshing clarity.

Explore the balance. Embrace the square. Let less say more.

As always, Thanks for looking. Have a great week. G