Tag: Taos

White Homestead, Mountain Peak, Shutters. 01-24-2024

Geraint January 24, 2024 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a white homestead in Colorado, a mountain peak, some old shutters, and a hiking trail I look forward to being on in a couple of weeks.

I love this stand alone scene near the Great Sandunes in southern Colorado. Join me on a photo tour/workshop and I’ll take you there. Winter or any other seeson here doesn’t disappoint.

White homestead ruin Colorado — White homestead in a white field, Colorado.

Take a look here at another pictuer of this homestead. There are many of these old and abandoned homesteads in the San Luis Valley.

Vallecito Mountain is a favorite peak in the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico. I shot this on a drive into Taos yesterday. I can’t complain about the commute or the scenery. There’s a nearly full (98%) moon tonight. If the clouds lift I’m going to head out and get some shots of the Wolf Moon rising above this peak. I hope you get to see it where you are.

I came across this image below by chance. It’s from many years ago. I’m certain they are gone now but I will look next time that I’m in Ranchos de Taos. I shot them even longer ago in the 1980’s. After living in one place for so long, I get to see, and often document the changes. My earlier original image was shot on Kodachrome in 1989.

Ranchos de Taos wooden shuttters — Wooden Shutters, Ranchos de Taos.

In about two weeks, snow and mud permitting, I’ll be hiking up here above our village. The mountain in the distance, with snow, is Taos Mountain, and the views to the west are perfect for watching a sunset. The area burned in May 1996. You can see that regrowth is slow. Scrub oak is resilient and prolific so these hills turn many shades of rust in the autumn.

San Cristobal ridge road — The ridge road in San Cristobal.

As always thank you for looking, and for all the well wishes for my right foot. It has healed faster that the left one did, for that I am grateful. I promise to shut up about it from now on and only post pictures from my hikes and trips with my two new feet. Best wishes. G

Lenticular Clouds, Snow In Taos. 01-17-2024

Geraint January 17, 2024 14 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week lenticular clouds and a snowstorm in and over Taos.

Click on the images to expand.

This is happening today in our neck of the woods. Lenticular clouds are my favorite cloud forms; this is the time of year when they occur more frequently. Check out this link for more info on these types of clouds.

And the snow over the last weekend turned Taos and northern New Mexico into a winter wonderland.

Red willows, El Prado, Taos — Red Willows in El Prado, NM.

Short and sweet this week.

As always, thank you for looking. G

Snow, Eagle, Bandelier, Shadows, Roads. 01-03-2024

Geraint January 3, 2024 19 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. Snow, or the lack of it. More will be coming, but for now, they are making lots of snow. I shot the image below at the Angel Fire Resort. The wind dispersed the manmade snow and made for a dramatic scene.

Snow making Angel Fire — Snowmaking at Angel Fire Resort.

Angel Fire is situated at the south end of the Moreno Valley. On the north end is the village of Eagle Nest. Aptly named for the number of eagles that frequent the valley, who fish and hunt around the Eagle Nest Lake.

On the same trip last week, we spotted a juvenile bald eagl e sitting atop a powerline pole. This raptor was far away so not a very striking photo but besides taking stunning photos of birds I also like to document the siting and location.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno valley — Juvenile Bald Eagle Moreno Valley, NM

As you know, I’ve been sitting around with my foot elevated, so I took time to re-edit a few photos. The following two images are taken in Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument here in northern New Mexico.

Alcove house Bandelier National Monument — Kiva at Alcove House, Bandelier National Monument, NM.

Yesterday I visited with a friend for a coffee in Taos. Across the street, I had a view of a little chapel. As we drank our coffees I watched the shadow in the image below creep across the roof. I just had to take another shot of this little scene. The coffee and company were good and it was warm sitting in the sunshine.

El Prado chapel shadow — El Prado Chapel shadow.

Earlier I’d driven to Arroyo Seco, The colors looked very much like they do in this photo from a few years ago.

Over the years I’ve archived images of places that have since been developed. Things change.

Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain meadow — Pueblo Peak, Taos Mountain Meadow.

Onward into another year. So far it’s a beautiful beginning. As always, thanks for looking, and all the comments, and compliments. G

Crows, Trees, Meadows, And More. 12-20-2023

Geraint December 20, 2023 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week, Crows, trees, meadows, and more.

The crows that frequent our old cottonwood snag are fun to watch from the living room window and deck. I can observe from my chair out the window when they descend on the snags. I grab my camera and move to the deck. This image is a composite mostly of those going and those staying. I never tire of this view. The reason for their routines and nagging, comings and goings as they do, eludes me, but I keep watching. Observers of crows praise their intelligence. The Smithsonian says this .

Crows and magpie, cottonwood tree, San Cristobal, NM — Our cottonwood with Crows and Magpie, bottom right.

We watched these clouds develop on our drive home from Angel Fire in the Moreno Valley yesterday. They look like very localized lenticulars. The main cloud resembles a stingray or stealth bomber.

Unique cloud formations, Moreno Valley NM — Clouds, Moreno Valley, northern New Mexico.

Evening light in El Prado (the meadows) just north of Taos. Snow is predicted for this weekend. We shall see.

When it snows the meadows look like this. El Prado has wide views across the meadows to the mountains.

Cattle in snow field El Prado, Taos, NM — Cattle in El Prado, Taos, NM.

Things change. I found this tree in the forest. Outlived by the surrounding trees its impact on me inspired me to make a picture. Then this poem by Hermann Hesse came to mind.

SOMETIMES

Sometimes, when a bird cries out,
Or the wind sweeps through a tree,
Or a dog howls in a far off farm,
I hold still and listen a long time.

My soul turns and goes back to the place
Where, a thousand forgotten years ago,
The bird and the blowing wind
Were like me, and were my brothers.

My soul turns into a tree,
And an animal, and a cloud bank.
Then changed and odd it comes home
And asks me questions. What should I reply?

~ Hermann Hesse

I listen and I make a picture.

As always thank you for looking, following, comments and compliments. Also thank you for all the well wihes. I’ll be back in a shoe next week. Happy holidays. G

Bighorn Sheep, Snow Geese And Tipis. 12-13-2023

Geraint December 13, 2023 15 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week Bighorn Sheep, Snow Geese, and Tipis. Something warm and cold for a cold and snowy winter’s day here in northern New Mexico.

Bighorn sheep in the warm light on the canyon wall.

If you can’t find them in the above image, here’s a closer look.

Bighorn sheep on the canyon wall close up — Close-up of the cliff dwellers.

Ram in the snowy Rio Grande Gorge — A ram in the Rio Grande Gorge.

Ram in the warm sunlight on the Gorge Rim.

On to the Snow Geese in the Bosque del Apache where the days are often warmer on days where it is cold and snowing elsewhere.

Snow goose landing on a warm winter's day in the Bosque del Apache — Snow Goose landing on a warm winter’s day in the Bosque del Apache.

Snow goose — Snow Goose, incoming, Bosque del Apache, NWR, NM.

And their cousins the Canada Geese in flight traveling north along the river through the Rio Grande Gorge south of Taos, NM.

Canada Geese in the Rio Grande Gorge Taos — Canada Geese.

I found this picture of a tipi I shot in the winter of 2008. I’d forgotten how much I liked it.

Tipi in snow, Taos NM — Taos Tipi in snow.

Tipis and a New Mexico sunset. — Tipis and a warm New Mexico sunset.

Our neighbor’s tree was warm and cold outside the dining room window a moment ago.

As always thanks for looking, your comments, compliments, and all the well wishes.
Stay warm where you are. G

Northern New Mexico, Moonrise – 11-29-2023.

Geraint November 29, 2023 12 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, in the beautiful mountains of northern New Mexico. This week a few moonrise images from around the area.

Below is one of my favorite peaks in northern New Mexico, and the subject/location for photographing the full moon rise.

A northern New Mexico moonrise — Moonrise, Vallecito Peak, Northern New Mexico.

Horse and moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM. — Horse with moonrise Arroyo Seco, NM.

I haven’t been to the Bosque del Apache NWR in a few years, preferring instead to make the shorter drive to the Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado. I was pleased to see this image below, a reminder of the peace and tranquility experienced in the early hours at the Bosque del Apache.

Bosque del Apache moon and snow geese — Moonrise with Snow Geese, Bosque del Apache, NM.

Ladder to the moon, Toas — Ladder to the Moon, Taos, NM.

As always, thank you so much for all the comments, compliments, and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Have a great week. G

First Snow, Winter Flashbacks. 11-22-2023

Geraint November 22, 2023 15 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and a Happy Thanksgiving. This week we had the first snow on our local peaks and in the valley.

Not too much snow. It’s a late start to winter where we are this year. I see from our weather forecast that temps will drop next week. It’s all good for me as I’m in a foot brace again on my right foot this time, and with my leg elevated, I still have a lovely view out the windows and from the deck.

This was the scene from the kitchen window this week after the clouds lifted, leaving a few stragglers behind to fill in the little valleys.

First Snow San Cristobal — First Snow, San Cristobal.

With my right leg elevated, I’m revisiting the archives again. Pretty much a repeat of last February, when my left leg was elevated. This time next year I look forward to hiking up and down the hills in the first photo.

Early snow, Taos — First snow, Taos, 2011.

Great Blue Heron and Mallards, Rio Grande, Pilar, NM.

Red-winged Blackbirds, Arroyo Hondo, NM.

Horse, Ranchos de Taos — A horse taking shelter in Ranchos de Taos.

Vintage truck in the snow, Taos — Vintage truck in the snow, Overland Ranch, Taos.

Lastly, a picture I came across, edited on my iPhone, from last year.

As always, thank you for looking. Happy Thanksgiving. G

A Golden Eagle. A Leaf. A cloud. 11-15-2023.

Geraint November 15, 2023 17 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week a Golden Eagle in flight. A lone cottonwood leaf and an unusual cloud formation over the San Cristobal Valley.

Golden Eagle in flight, southern Colorado.

There’s a little wetlands in Taos I often take a walk there. This cottonwood leaf, bigger than my hand, was asking to be photographed. I was happy to oblige.

Cottonwood Leaf and a sun star — Cottonwood leaf and a sun star

The cloud below screamed out for a picture. It first appeared much like any other lenticular cloud forming, but quickly grew a tail. Moments after, just like that, it became one with all the other particles.

Cloud formation, lenticular — Lenticular cloud formation.

I was sure it was going to become a Bottlenose D olphin… almost!

As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week and if I miss you next week, Happy Thanksgiving. G

Arroyo Blanco, Balloons, Moon, Jupiter. 11-01-2023

Geraint November 1, 2023 10 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week Arroyo Blanco, Abiquiu. Some abstract balloon images from the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally last weekend, and our Moon and Jupiter over northern New Mexico.

After two weeks of photo tours in the area with Harlan I’m finally going through images of some of the places we visited.

We visited Abiquiu and Arroyo Blanco, twice. We couldn’t get enough of it in the beautiful autumn light.

Landscape in Arroyo Blanco, Abiquiu, NM.

The strangely wonderful moonscape landscape in the “white arroyo”.

Landscape, Abiquiu, NM — On the ground in Abiquiu, NM.

On our second trip to Abiquiu we made a short detour to La Madera for this scene. It has always fascinated me.

door/wall, la Madera, NM — The door is the wall, La Madera, NM.

On the last day of touring we went to Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. A few balloons lifted off but winds were higher than anticipated so we photographed them on the ground instead. Shadowy figures zip up the envelope as it’s inflated.

Balloon shadows Taos Mountain Balloon Rally — Balloon shadows at the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally.

Balloon interior Taos Mountain Balloon Rally — Checking the ropes!

In the words of actor/author David Niven, “the moon’s a balloon”.

To cap off the week the moon met up with the planet Jupiter. Eerie enough for Hallooween. Jupiter is closest to earth during all of 2023 tonight.

As always, thanks for looking. G

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. 10-11-2023

Geraint October 10, 2023 8 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. I look into the past for a glimpse at the upcoming future events on October 27, 28, and 29, 2023. Also, a little fall color from a few days ago scouting locations for this month’s photo tour/workshops.

If you are in Taos later this month, I hope to see you out and about. The Taos Mountain Balloon Rally is small, sometimes around 50/60 balloons. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is hugely attended with hundreds of colorful balloons in mass ascensions each morning. What we have here in Taos is fewer crowds and the proximity to Taos Mountain.

The images below of the balloons were shot in 2005/2006. Enjoy.

Balloon with snow capped peaks Taos Mountain Balloon Rally — Balloon with snow-capped peaks.

Balloon over mountains, Taos NM — Balloons over mountains in Taos, NM.

Moon's a Balloon — “The Moon’s a Balloon.”

Balloominaria reflections — Balloominaria (balloon luminaria) reflections.

Aspens in Red River's Aspen Valley — In Red River, NM, Aspen Valley.

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As always, thank you for looking, and have a great week where you are. G.