Greetings from San Cristobal, NM, and beyond. To the moon and Jupiter.
It was 3 am this morning when I awoke. I went straight back to sleep! 4:20 am came and I was dressed in the dining room opening the window to view the crescent moon and Jupiter. I planned on getting up early to observe this celestial event but I’d gotten a tetanus shot yesterday and felt groggy most of the afternoon. I was going to set the alarm, but I fell asleep around 9:30 pm. Fortunately for my plans, all was well when I awoke. I was alert and ready to watch as the moon and Jupiter rose over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, visible from our home. The tripod was absent without leave! Buried in the back of the car, I think. It was getting brighter by the minute so I took a pass on finding the tripod deciding to handhold the camera, bracing myself against the window frame. Fortunately, I’ve had experience with a missing tripod before, so I proceeded as I’ve done in the past and the image below came out just as I expected.
Crescent Moon, Jupiter, 4:30 am today.
Looking through the viewfinder and the telephoto lens I was able to make out two faint moons of Jupiter. There are 95 known moons of the massive planet. I braced myself against the window frame again and shot a long exposure for the image below.
Crescent Moon with Earthshine and Jupiter with two of its moons.
The silence before dawn is palpable. There’s a quiet hush that permeates everything. No dogs, sheep, roosters, or birds. At the stroke of some silent alarm, that only critters can hear, the whole valley woke up twenty minutes later. I now know who owns the barking mad dog!
A tree is still a tree, dead or alive. This tree has now gone. It vanished in a housing development. Goodbye tree.
Greetings from San Cristobal, the valley, and beyond. This week a fleeting rainbow makes an appearance. The morphing mountain clouds put on a show. Bighorn sheep show off their stature, and a sweet little dove preens itself in the garden.
The storms here move quickly. They say the best camera is the one you have on you. In this instance, it was the iPhone. I was sure to get as many shots as possible before popping into the house to get the big Sony. By the time I got back outside, the rainbow had vanished. The clouds still looked stunning, but those were gone very soon after. Sometimes I think nature has a way of taunting us or at least attempt’s to keep us alert and on our toes. Not from the deck this time but a few steps into the meadow.
Mountain Rainbow, San Cristobal, NM.
The clouds spent the morning building into the afternoon canyon and ridge formations. Changes occur in no time at all. As they say in the Southwest, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” I have plenty of time to look and time to stare, which reminds me of a poem my friend Martin would occasionally recite.
Taos Mountain clouds.
Leisure.
What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies
Morphing clouds, San Cristobal.
A couple of days later, this pastoral evening scene happened. I could watch it from my deck chair. I had to move to get this photo, but not that much.
Clouds over the north flanks of Taos Mountain.
I’d heard reports of these three a week before this photo. I was surprised to see them on my drive through the canyon last week. The cold weather we have experienced for a few weeks made them stay put. They have fresh grass and a dirt mound, with a fortress-like view, in all directions. They weren’t bothered by me or others but seemed to enjoy the company and attention.
Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge Rim Trail.
I know they are an introduced species, and we have both Eurasian-collared Doves and Mourning Doves in the garden. This one immigrant put on a show last week on the fence post. I enjoyed watching it.
Eurasian-collared Dove preening itself.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. As always thanks for looking. See you next week. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, New Mexico. This week, “Close the Gate”, a sunset from the deck, Dennis Hopper in Taos, and a short video of the outstanding Shiprock formation in the four corners area of the American Southwest.
“Close the Gate, Please!” … and don’t touch the wire in an approaching storm. Stretch gates are a favorite subject of my photography, I can’t pass one by.
Please! Close the Gate.
Sunset over the north flanks of Pueblo Peak, (Taos Mountain) from the deck, naturally. I shared the view with a good friend and a glass of Talisker single malt.
Sunset, with Pueblo Peak, (Taos Mountain).
It’s Dennis Hopper Day in Taos, May 27, 2023. I had the good fortune to take a number of pictures of Dennis. Here is the last photo I shot of him driving through Taos Plaza, shortly before he passed. He was very gracious to me and I enjoyed meeting him.
Dennis Hopper, Taos Plaza, 2009
I shot the video below of Shiprock driving through the Four Corners area of the American Southwest last spring. It’s time to get out there again. Perhaps this coming fall.
Greetings from San Cristobal. This week some images from northern New Mexico, Scotland, and England.
I shot the dramatic image of sunset clouds from a friend’s land near the village of Tres Piedras, just off US Highway 64, the other mother road. I took the moonset out of the bedroom window. I shot it ten years ago, but this is how it looked when the full moon set last Saturday morning. We have spectacular views where we live across the volcanic plateau to the west. The clouds at sunset appear to roll over the landscape and beyond over the mountains.
Sunset clouds from Tres Piedras, NM.
Moon set from San Cristobal, NM.
I threw a virtual dart at one of my hard drives again, and this image of a bighorn sheep ram popped up. I don’t know much about their nature, but, I do know, they own the canyons and rocks.
Bighorn sheep ram, Rio Grande Gorge, NM.
An early morning shot on a photo tour at the iconic Saint Francis Church.
Shadows at the Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos, NM.
I came across this image when scanning slides a couple of weeks ago. I collaborated with a writer in 1989 on a story on the churches on the high road to Taos. The story was not published, but we had a good time, made many images, and learned a lot about the history, people, and culture of northern New Mexico.
Padre José Lopez, Cordova, NM, Kodachrome 1989.
Rock stackers are everywhere. I shot this image in Scotland a few years ago. It doesn’t work for me in wilderness areas. Besides, cairns make less obvious trails on the mountains and moors and are essential to finding one’s way. What you see in this photo, is a place just beyond the road where bus tours and cars stop to admire the view. What do you think?
Stacked rocks, somewhere in Scotland.
I love that nature will thrive wherever and however, it will. This tenacious tree seems to be doing quite well.
Hillside Tree, Yorkshire, England.
I’m up and fully mobile again. I’m walking up to 2+ miles a day. Some days less, some days more. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who checked in on me. Immeasurably thanks and gratitude to my lovely wife, Pami, for taking care and putting up with me!
What started with a picture of sunset clouds took me, once again, down the hard drive rabbit hole.
I look forward to seeing you in New Mexico if it’s on your travel plans this year.
Greetings from San Cristobal, on this beautiful Spring day. The light in the late afternoon is remarkable. The clouds roll through, and spring storms envelop the valleys and the mountain peaks in waves. The sun gets through where it will, spotlighting the new growth.
Click on pictures to enlarge.
A Spring day in the San Cristobal Valley.
The acequias, irrigation ditches that divert water across northern New Mexico are flowing full in the spring runoff. This time last year, New Mexico’s largest wildfire was underway, ultimately destroying 350,000+ acres. We are very grateful for the moisture this year.
Water in an acequia, irrigation ditch in El Prado, NM.
Flashback to North Wales, where I lived and worked at an Outdoor Pursuit Center on the west coast in 1974-75.
The Ogwen Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in North Wales. During that year, I spent many days rock climbing in the area with the guides and instructors I worked with. The Idwal slabs in the upper left of the picture are one of the most popular places to climb in Wales. I shot this picture on a return visit to Wales in 2013.
Ogwen Valley, North Wales.
A year in Wales may sound like a long time to visit and see all the sites. I had never traversed the Crib Goch Ridge seen in the picture below while living there. On a visit there in 1982, it was time to add the route to the list of the places I climbed and hiked. It was a marvelous experience, one I’ll remember for life. It’s not a very difficult hike, but I did take along enough gear and clothing prepared should I have to spend the night out there. Weather in this part of Wales, with the storms coming off the Atlantic and Irish Seas, can change rapidly, turning a warm, early summer day into a winter day.
Crib Goch, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, 1982
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G.
Greetings from San Cristobal. This week, a trip down memory lane, a visual flashback of images from my first few trips and early years in New Mexico.
Looking back it’s hard to visualize almost 40 years since I took the first photograph below in November 1984. The images are in no particular order and captioned with the place and year.
Traveling down memory lane has inspired me to start scanning what will ultimately be a few thousand transparencies. All images are scans of Kodachrome 64 slide film. I hope you enjoy the visit.
John greeting visitors to Taos Pueblo, Thanksgiving, 1984
I’ve photographed the church of San José de Gracia in Las Trampas more times than I can count. Below is my very first shot during my first time visiting New Mexico. I have other shots from the trip but I like this one because of the dog sitting casually, minding its own business. Nowadays tourists are the ones getting in my shots.
Las Trampas church dog on the High Road to Taos, 1984
The sign at the Taos Inn is still welcoming visitors to Taos. No more curios that I know of. Some local characters may pass for curios.
Taos Inn neon sign, 1985
I’d appreciate someone letting me know what vehicles these are. I’m pretty certain the car on the right is a Ford. Currently, the Ford and Adobe are still there.
Old Cars, and adobe, Galisteo, 1986
Traveling during August in New Mexico 1985 many small scale purveyors of local havests, their roadside stands festooned with the red and the green chiles were in abundance and a treat to photograph.
I shot the image below shortly after Dennis Hopper finished filming a murder scene in this old adobe building in the movie Backtrack with Jodie Foster. The adobe home was demolished this year.
Saint Francis through an open adobe window, 1989
Flashback to the Ranchos de Taos Plaza when the Magic Sky Gallery (coral colored building) was open with a boardwalk and planters.
Magic Sky Gallery, Ranchos de Taos, 1988
Ranchos Plaza, view through the window of a vintage truck, 1991
Ranchitos Road adobe, building, and artist studio, 1988
Currently, the Stewart House” formerly a BandB buildings are no longer visible from this location, as many homes now occupy the foreground. Vallecito Peak in the background has become a favorite subject for my work. Change, is the only constant, along with death and taxes.
“Stewart House” Highway 150, with Vallecito Peak 1987
Plenty of snow my first winter in New Mexico. That’s my 1958 Volkswagen Beetle buried there in front of the house.
Talpa, dude Ranch compound 1989
Here’s a picture of my friend and artist, Harry Vedoe when we skied from Talpa and way beyond into the hills. Later in the day we had a wonderful run down and soak in the Ponce de Leon hot springs before heading home. In the winter of February 1989, we had a lot of snow. We were able to cross-country ski out the door on many occasions.
Flashback to cross-country skiing, Talpa, 1989
This tree has been featured in my work for many years. After thriving for many years it has finally succumbed to neglect and lack of moisture. It’s still standing, for now.
Lone Tree, at the overlook Taos, 1993
Santa Fe 4 Sale license plate, 1986
Pasqual’s Santa Fe, reading the menu, 1984
A drive to Sandia Crest revealed a trail worthy of an afternoon stroll in the fresh snowfall, with views to the west of Albuquerque.
Sandia Crest, Albuquerque, 1987
The bison below escaped from the herd at Taos Pueblo. I happened to be driving along and took some shots before it was caught and returned to the Pueblo.
An escaped Bison trucking alongside US 64 Taos, 1994
As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G
I want to thank everyone for all the well wishes. I’m out of my big restrictive boot and into a comfortable pair of “Hoka” walking shoes. I had no idea how comfortable these shoes were. Lucky me.
As always thank you for looking. Have a good week. G
Greetings from the San Cristobal, NM. This week a series of images of some of the big birds that frequent our area.
I hope you enjoy the following gallery of big birds.
Some of the largest birds in the area are the Sandhill Cranes that pass through on their migratory route. I photographed the two below in the Bosque del Apache.
Sandhill Cranes, the big birds.
The Turkey Vulture below is about to return to our area. They are known as the harbingers of Spring. If you are interested, you can read more here.
Turkey Vulture.
I chose these images below out of a collection of photos that showed up when I searched my hard drives for large birds. It was hard to decide which to include, so I picked the ones I distinctly remember taking the shot. I went for feeling more than anything. I hope you like them. Click on an image to enlarge it.
Swainson’s HawkSnow GooseSnow GeeseRough-legged HawkRed-tailed HawkRed-tailed HawkRavenRavenGreat Blue HeronPeregrine FalconKilldeerLong-eared OwlMagpie and Red-tailed HawkMourning DovesNorthern Pintail ducksGreat Blue HeronRed-tailed HawkMale Northern HarrierGreat-horned OwlGolden EagleGolden EagleGolden EagleSnow GeeseEurasian Collared DovesBald EagleCooper’s HawkCormorantSandhill CranesBald EagleBald EagleCanada GooseCanada GeeseAmerican White PelicansAmerican AvocetWhite-faced IbisAbundance of Ducks
Sandhill Cranes, ritual dance.
Always remember the birds at the zoo like this Flamingo. I had a stunning picture of a captive eagle in the Albuquerque Zoo published in Raptors of New Mexico.
Flamingo
As always, thank you for looking. Keep looking up you may be surprised by what’s above and around you. G
Greetings from the San Cristobal Valley, NM. This week a series of images of some of the little birds that frequent our area of the planet, more precisely, our valley.
I hope you enjoy the following gallery of little birds.
Eastern Bluebird, a little bird that frequents our valley.
Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow.
Pine Siskin.
A Cassin’s Finch so I was told. It could be a glorious house finch.
Cassin’s Finch.
White Breasted Nuthatch.
Brewer’s Blackbird.
Northern Flicker.
Brown-headed Cowbird.
For the last few years, we’ve had a solitary Canyon Towhee in our garden. This shot was taken in a canyon, no less.
Canyon Towhee.
American Robins.
Woodhouse’s or Western Scrub-Jay?
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, I think!
This is a Pinyon Jay, that I’m sure of. They have arrived in large flocks in the valley over the last two years, groups of a hundred to a few thousand.
Pinyon Jay.
Song Sparrow.
Spotted Towhee.
Townsend’s Solitaire.
Rock Wren.
Mountain Chickadee.
Western Tanager.
Bullocks Oriole with Hummingbirds.
The Red-winged Blackbirds nest in the cattails. Right about now there is a frenzy of activity and nest-building. The males are kept on their guard protecting the nesting spot.
Red-winged Blackbird.
The Magpie is every dog’s nemesis. They taunt our dogs and of course, our dogs take the bait.
Magpie
This Evening Grosbeak was stunned following a window strike. I put it on the fence to recover. It did. Ten minutes later, it flew up into the crabapple tree.
Evening Grosbeak.
Western Meadowlark.
This Northern Pygmy Owl would fit into a teacup and is smaller than most of the birds above.
Northern Pygmy Owl.
Not one of the truly little birds but not large either. It’s about the size of an American Crow.
Greater Roadrunner.
American Crow.
Finally one of the rare visitors to the valley. I only spotted one Lewis’s Woodpecker this last year. Two years ago there were three at one time in the Ash tree.
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Little birds rock the valley, my heart and soul.
Happy Spring.
As always, thank you for looking, and for all the comments, compliments, and well wishes. G
Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This week the Rio Grande and surrounding views.
I’m sitting here with my foot elevated, looking out the window on our valley. The snow is blowing in high winds and chilling the air dramatically. The wind is breaching the gaps wherever it can.
Things are healing nicely with the surgery on my foot. Thank you for all the well wishes. They are welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Throwing a virtual dart at the archives this week, I came across the first image of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge shrouded in a rare, early morning fog. I decided to pull a few more pictures from that folder and add them below.
I won’t be going very far for the next few weeks. I hope to make it to the Monte Vista NWR for the return of the sandhill cranes in mid-march. Until then, I hope you’ll enjoy my revisiting the archives with me.
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge carries US Highway 64 across the canyon and river 600 feet below. Highway 64, the other mother road, has one terminus in the Outer Banks, NC and the other at Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. I’ve driven this section of the road, many times, to its western terminus. It passes through scenic areas with many opportunities for image making. In my humble opinion, unless you like abandoned motels, gas stations, and 1960’s era neon signs (all great subjects in their own right), on Route 66, take US 64 for the more scenic route.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, in morning fog.
Morning fog rolls over the canyon walls.
Morning fog on the river.
Gorge bridge shadow and canyon view.
Snow and an iconic tree in Orilla Verde RA, Pilar NM.
Lastly, a view acros the gorge to Taos mountain. A gorge bush!
Gorge bush.
As always, thank you for looking, and thank you again for all the well wishes. G
