Another fun week in the field and a couple of instances from the deck! During one of the last snowstorms not long ago in memory but ages ago for the much-needed moisture. We can watch the storms build up over Taos Mountain from the deck. The mourning doves have been enjoying life and seem to be inseparable, hanging out side by side in the old cottonwood tree, also visible from the deck. We made a trip to join our friends Chris and Carla at their ranch in Black Lake, New Mexico a few days ago. The meadows were carpeted with millions of wild iris. I’ve seen similar fields of iris in the Valle Vidal but nothing like this. And this was only a square mile of it. On June 11, the waxing crescent moon swung by the planet Venus. I have a favorite parking spot to watch this particular sight when it occurs. Summer Solstice is coming up on Sunday, June 20th. Where to go for a Solstice moment photo? We shall see!
Taos Mountain storm cloud building up, San Cristobal, NM
Mourning Doves in the old cottonwood tree, San Cristobal.
Wild iris, Black Lake, NM, in Lonesome Dove country near where they filmed the TV movie.
Venus, Moon and sunset across the Taos Plateau.
Enjoy the summer where you are and as always, thanks for looking. G
One photo this week of Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak) in black and white. I had a longer post planned but the hosting company server crashed this morning, until an hour ago. They emailed and were very gracious and apologized and let me know things were up and running. So, I hope you enjoy this image from this last week, this week.
A view of Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak) across El Prado (the Meadows) with late afternoon light and cattle.
Last week we went out for dinner at a local restaurant. We haven’t been out for a sit-down meal in a long time, and were we ever glad we did! We had a good time and the food was fabulous. The restaurant is in a great location and the view from the dining room, such, that I was prompted to get up and leave my meal for a few shots of that favorite GMC truck parked in an adjacent field. The diffused sunlight on the scene gave the truck and landscape a warm rosy glow.
The camera in my pocket was my iPhone. I could have walked back to the parking lot to get my ‘other’ camera but I was afraid the light would have faded by the time I got back. Within a couple of minutes later I’d shot a dozen images and was heading back to my meal. The light was fleeting and as the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have on you.
The first image is when I approached the vehicle. You can see the distracting footprints in the foreground. In the two following images, I moved in closer. The truck dominates the composition and the tracks out front were probably made by a dog or coyote rather than clunky, human footprints.
The last image is a view you would have if you were sitting in the cab looking out. I wouldn’t recommend getting in the cab as it’s full of broken glass and in the summertime is home to a thriving nest of hornets.
GMC truck in El Prado, winter light.
GMC truck in winter light, with Taos Mountain.
Close up view of the truck’s fender and hood detail.
Winter light on Taos Mountain.
I’m heading out on a photo tour this weekend. Let’s see what I come up with. There’s also a full moon so I’ll be out photographing its latest appearance, weather permitting.
I’m continually reviewing images from previous weeks and months. The following images are from the last couple of weeks. Some from the front field and some from trips out in the greater field. I’ve also included an image of my daughter pulled from way back in 2004 that I’ve re-worked for printing. And lastly, a little something from 2005 for this weekend’s happy hearts day.
I begin with the most recent from yesterday morning with this month’s waning moon rising over Taos Mountain.
Crescent moon with earth shine rising over Taos Mountain from the field at our home in San Cristobal.
Crescent moon rising over Taos Mountain with a few crows in San Cristobal.
The following are a couple of images from a drive Pami and I did into the San Luis Valley the last time it snowed.
Snow filled field furrows with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, taken near Jaroso, Colorado.
San Antonio Mountain clouds and snowy road in the San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Last week Chris Ferguson and I drove south to Carson, NM for a photoshoot on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim. We had some beautiful winter sunlight in the late afternoon to create another set of old west inspired images. Stay tuned for a few more from the last couple of these commercial shoots I’ve collaborated on with Chris, at Tres Estrellas.
Chris from Tres Estrellas. Photo shoot on the Rio Grande Gorge Rim, Carson New Mexico.
A rather dense sunset last week on the way home from the Cellar, our local bottle shop. Not the color of fine red wine as is often the case with the Sangre de Cristos. Despite the heaviness, this sunset got a lot of attention from locals judging by the number of posts on Facebook.
Sunset, Vallecito Mountain, in the Sangre de Cristos.
My daughter, taken back in fall 2004 in Taos, New Mexico. If she could get into or under anything she would. I reworked this image in order to make a print I’ve wanted to hang.
“Leaf Girl” my daughter under a pile of leaves, fall 2004, Taos, NM.
And lastly, something appropriate for this weekend. Fly me to the moon in a valentine balloon.
GMC Truck at the Overland Ranch compound, Taos, New Mexico. No truck is an island unto itself! This familiar location with a backdrop of Taos Mountain (Pueblo Peak), always inspires a photo. I made a quick stop in here as the snow receded, it left the truck looking like it was washed ashore and stranded. Thanks for looking. G
Wave, surf, clouds, dawn with Taos Mountain, NM. The correct name of these fascinating cloud forms is Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds. Here’s the scoop from earthsky.org. Looks warm, doesn’t it? I won’t be getting up this early again for some time. At 9º this morning I think I’ll crawl into my bear den and come out in the spring. Thanks for looking. G
Mercury, Spica, Venus, Crescent Moon, Arcturus, Taos Mountain, and the Sangre de Cristo foothills. Mercury, last to rise, Spica at one o’clock, Venus next with her escort, the moon. Arcturus is out there in left field. It was a crisp cold clear morning that started on the deck at 4:30 am with a meteor fireball directly overhead that elicited a loud gasp from me. It came out of the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus, passed directly in front of Orion’s belt and beyond until it fizzled out in a smokey stream. Then, a 30-minute drive to the Rio Grande Gorge for this expansive view of the Taos Valley. I’m pulling out the hand warmers when I’m out there tomorrow morning. The crescent will be further east nearer to Mercury. Thanks for looking. G
Taos Mountain, with a summer rainbow, Taos, NM. Delving in to the rainbow archive this week, I found this almost a tandem double rainbow. I’m saving gas not driving around Taos to capture more rainbows. I’ll start a campaign on current rainbows next week. Thanks for looking commenting and complimenting my work. I’m always grateful to hear from everyone. Cheers and enjoy. G
El Prado, (The Meadows), and shadows with Taos Mountain. Dinner this evening in the meadows, with our good friends Chris and Carla of Tres Estrellas Taos. Beautiful summer light on the inimitable Taos Mountain. It doesn’t get much better than this in my world. Thanks so much for looking. G
