Tag: Taos

Out The Window This Week. 01-01-2025

Geraint January 15, 2025 3 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week “out the window”, the dining room, kitchen, and car window.

It’s cold outside, and because the view is there, and the indoor warmth kept me from venturing out, I thought, why not post the picture out the window, opportunity?

The first shot is from the kitchen window. When I open the window pane initially, a cold rush of air follows but I’m fast, and boom it’s done. This is our direct view when doing the dishes.

Columbine Hondo Wilderness, Out the window — Columbine Hondo Wilderness, out the kitchen window.

Then there’s the waxing moon rising out of the dining room window. Some months, it rises directly over the peak seen in the previous image. The full moon puts on quite a show from our vantage point in San Cristobal. The upside is that it’s like daylight in the house, so no nightlights are needed. The downside is that sleep can be elusive on such a night when it slaps you in the face shining through the transom windows and skylights.

On a drive to town two days ago I had to pull over fast for this shot of Lucero Peak, peaking through the clouds anchored by the cottonwood trees in the meadows, (El Prado). I shot it out the car window. I had time to pull over and wind down the window before it was gone. So fleeting like most things in life. You have to grab the opportunities when they arise.

Lucero Peak, El Prado, NM out the window of the car — Lucero Peak, El Prado, NM

And back home that evening out the dining room window as the sunset on my neighbor’s tree, with the mountains of the Columbine Hondo Wilderness in the clouds.

Out the window, my neighbors tree at sunset — Out the window, my neighbor’s tree at sunset.

Here are the phases of the moon calendar I use. Sometimes I need to refer to it but mostly it’s on my phone occupying space on my screen along with some night sky apps.

As always. Thanks for looking and all the kind words, comments, and compliments. Our family is healthy and warm. I wish the same for all. G

Happy New Year, 01-01-2025

Geraint January 1, 2025 26 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. A very Happy New Year from our family to yours.

This week a sunset to see out the old year and a Red-tailed Hawk to usher in the new year.

Sunset, Happy new year — Sunset, to say farewell to the old year.

… and a Red-tailed Hawk to herald the new year, albeit a little bedraggled and battered but still with enough life left to do the things necessary to live life and do what hawks do.

As always thank you for looking. Happy New Year. I appreciate all the support, kindness, comments, and compliments over the past year and beyond. G

The Red-tailed Hawk is one of my animal totems, and I am uplifted every time one appears. What is your animal totem? Please leave a comment if so inclined.

Below is a poem by the Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes, a favorite of mine.

I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet:
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.

The convenience of the high trees!
The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s ray
Are of advantage to me;
And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.

My feet are locked upon the rough bark.
It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather:
Now I hold Creation in my foot

Or fly up, and revolve it all slowly –
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body:
My manners are tearing off heads –

The allotment of death.
For the one path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right:

The sun is behind me.
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change.
I am going to keep things like this.

— Ted Hughes

Taos Pueblo, Las Trampas, Mountains. 12-25-2024

Geraint December 25, 2024 16 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. This week, three scenes: one each from Taos Pueblo, Las Trampas Church, and the wintery peaks of Truchas and the Pecos Wilderness.

I shot this image of Taos Pueblo many years ago. I think it was shot on Kodachrome 64 and scanned. I like it for the feeling and remember how cold it was when I look at it now.

Taos Pueblo winter — Taos Pueblo in winter finery and drifting snow.

Christmas on the High Road at La Iglesia de San José de Gracia de Las Trampas with a nearly, not quite full moon rising.

And lastly, the snow-covered Truchas Peaks. A view from south of Taos on an evening hike many moons ago.

As always, Thank you for looking. I hope everyone has a good holiday season. Thank you for your constant and continued support, and I’ll see you next year. G

El Salto, The Rocks. 12-18-2024

Geraint December 17, 2024 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, the El Salto rocks are a familiar view for those familiar with Taos and El Prado (the meadows), where most, if not all, of these shots were taken.

This is another location I’ve photographed many times in different weather and seasons. You could call it my version of Monet’s “Haystacks.” I’ve done a similar series on the Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood and Willows. I hope you enjoy this view of El Salto (the Jump or Leap).

Rain falling — Summer storm on the mountains.

Winter sunset light — Winter sunset on the rocks.

I scanned this last image from a Kodakchrome 64 slide from one of my trips here in the 1980″s

I hope you enjoyed the visit. If you’re interested in reading the article for which the Rio Chama image in my post last week was commisioned to illustrate the story, click here.

Have a great week and happy holidays. G

Something Warm, Old, And Cold. 12-11-2024

Geraint December 11, 2024 12 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week something warm, old, and cold. It’s as simple as that. I apologize for a short post this week. I’ve been busy shipping and delivering copies of my books, including archival paper prints, large archival canvas prints, and stock images. I still have a few signed copies of my book from this latest shipment, that can reach you by the holidays if ordered this week. They are also available from the Museum of New Mexico Press.

Something warm… although it was a cold morning when I made this image in the Bosque del Apache NWR.

Warm light on a cold morning, Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico.

Something old … not quite dead. The photo was taken of one of Pami’s floral arrangements shot a couple of years ago. I added the aged photo technique using a phone app and Photoshop.

sunflower in the throes of decay — Sunflower in the throes of decay.

Something cold … and also old … is one of the first pictures I shot on my first DSLR in March 2004, a Canon Rebel, 6 Mega-Pixel, prior to that I was still scanning 35mm slide film and black and white negatives and shooting digital on a 3.3 Mega-Pixel Nikon Coolpix.

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

Ute Mountain, Taos Mountain, Mountain Biking. 09-25-2024

Geraint September 25, 2024 12 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande in the Wild and Scenic Rivers area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Taos Mountain is preparing for winter and mountain biking in the Taos Ski Valley.

I love it when we visit this location, I feel sure you know it, and the shadows from the fast-moving clouds pass over the landscape creating numerous composition possibilities. I hope my clients get some images they want to share.

Ute Mountain Rio Grande Wild Rivers — Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande.

This picture of Taos Mountain has been popping up recently. One of these days I’ll print one for myself and hang it on our living room wall. It will warm up the room as we settle into the colder seasons.

Taos Mountain, Pueblo Peak, sunset — Taos Mountain, Pueblo Peak, Sunset.

I watched this guy head down a trail at the terrain park in Taos Ski Valley. I composited nine images to get the shot. It looks like he was out on a Sunday ride, not a mountain biking course. There’s a nice trail to hike nearby.

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

Taos Artist Combo 3, Taos Art Shows. 09-11-2024

Geraint September 11, 2024 6 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week I’m busy printing for two art shows. If you happen to be in Taos please join me at one or both shows, at the Taos Artist Combo 3 this coming weekend September 13-15 at the Stables Art Gallery, and the second at the Sliver Gallery at Taos Lifestyle opening Friday, September 27—more details to follow next week.

Taos Artist Comb 3
Stables Gallery at the TCA
September 13-15, Noon to 5 pm
Artists reception September 13, 5-7 pm

Taos Artist Combo 3 at the Stables Gallery Taos. — Featured Print, “Arroyo Hondo Cottonwood”.

Below are a couple more featured images at the Taos Artist Combo 3 show.

Arroyo Seco Ladder — Arroyo Seco Abstract.

Acoma Pueblo ladder and adobes — Acoma Pueblo ladder shadows.

The Stables Galley is located at 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571.

“Sliver Gallery” is at 815 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571.

I look forward to seeing you at either or both gallery shows.

Taos Artist Combo 3 participating artists.

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

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar. 09-04-2024

Geraint September 3, 2024 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week, New Mexico Treasures 2025 Engagement Calendar. Again, I’m pleased to have my work in this long-running cultural calendar published by the State of New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department and produced by the Museum of New Mexico Press, which reprinted and distributed my book, Rio Grande del Norte: An Intimate Portrait.

You can order your calendar from this link: New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar

This year I’m honored to have the wrap-around cover photo.

New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar Cover — New Mexico Treasures 2025 Calendar.

Bald eagle, winter on the Rio Grande — Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.

Bald eagle, winter in the Rio Grande Gorge.

Taos Mountain mists clearing storm — Taos Mountain mists and clearing storm.

You can purchase a copy of my book here or through the Museum of New Mexico Press.

As always, thank you for looking, your friendship and support. Have a great week. G

September Show, Stables Gallery, Taos. 08-14-2024

Geraint August 13, 2024 22 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, (Taos), NM. This week an upcoming September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3.

Back by popular demand with some familiar names and new artists joining us this year. If you are fortunate enough to be in Taos next month, seeing you at the historic Stables Gallery downtown Taos would be great. The Stables Galley is located at: 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571

September Show, "Taos Artist Combo 3" at the Stables Gallery Taos. — September Show, Taos Artist Combo 3 at the Stables Gallery Taos.

I will be showing many favorite and iconic images with an added inventory of new images created over the last two years. I hope you can make it and I look forward to seeing you there.

Saint Francis church ranchos de Taos — Saint Francis Church white crosses, Ranchos de Taos.

Ute mountain Horses — Ute Mountain Horses.

I hope you’ll visit, see beautiful art, and maybe add a piece to your collection.

As always, thanks for looking. G

Rio Grande Gorge, Summer Gorgeousness. 07-31-2024

Geraint July 30, 2024 17 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal (Taos), NM. This week the Rio Grande Gorge in its summer finery and gorgeousness.

My hard drives frequently spin as I search for images to print or supply to art directors and clients. This week was no exception. I came up with a few select photos depicting the gorge that divides the plateau between east and west, with views from the rim and canyon, and the expansive vistas that capture the imagination and stir the soul.

If you miss this view below then you are probably asleep and should wake up or you’re driving at night.

Highway 68 and the gorge view — Highway 68 and the Gorge view.

If you prefer to take a detour off the main route you will see the following two locations.

Orilla Verde Rec Area — The Rio Grande in Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

As you ascend a steep dirt road you will encounter this grand view looking south. Remember to engage the parking break.

Gorgeous Sky over the Rio Grande Gorge — Gorgeous Sky.

A short distance on the climb out of the canyon is the Vista Verde Trail. It will take you on a very pleasant hike through lava boulder fields and rocks adorned with indigenous petroglyph art.

… to a bench with an overlook of the Rio Grande.

River View — River view from a nice resting spot.

The west rim trail takes you in a northerly direction on mostly level ground for about 10 miles. You’ll feel the cool breeze as it glances off the canyon walls and catch fabulous 360º sunsets.

Driving the 10 miles, if preferred, will bring you to the high bridge where US Highway 64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge.

Walking across the bridge looking to the north or south you’ll get wonderful views of the river. Looking east toward the mountains is pretty nice too!

Summer light on the gorge bridge. Straight as an arrow to the mountains.

On the same evening from the bridge, this happened.

Lightning sky over the gorge — Lightning over the gorge.

On another occasion a rainbow over the chasm.

Rainbow and storm, over the gorge — Rainbow and storm over the gorge.

There have been many times I’ve traversed the bridge. It shakes a lot especially when semi-trucks cross it hauling full loads of gravel. Don’t let it prevent you from crossing it yourself, but don’t bother with a tripod. I didn’t.

Lastly, one of my favorite and most popular images was taken on a summer evening from the high bridge in 2009. A horizontal crop is on the cover of my book.

Summer Light, on the Rio Grande Gorge — Summer evening from the high bridge.

I hope you enjoyed the mini travelog this week. Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll show you around these locations.

Last week I made it to the summit of Gold Hill on my two new feet. 9.8 miles round trip and 3263 elevation gain to 12703′ at the summit. My knees were complaining but I wasn’t. We’ll do Wheeler Peak the highest point in NM (13163′) in a couple of weeks for something a little easier.

As always, thank you for looking. I hope you have a good week. G