Song Sparrow, Sangre De Cristo Mountains
Song Sparrow along Comanche Creek (yesterday’s photo) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Singing it loud and clear. He certainly got my attention, his song echoing off the canyon walls and hills, accompanied by the babbling brook. Thanks for looking. G
Comanche Creek, Valley Of Life, New Mexico
Comanche Creek in the Valle Vidal, Valley Of Life, New Mexico. Peaceful locations in the high country of our most beautiful state and I’m told, also some of the best fishing. Temperatures drop 20ºF degrees at this point making a nice change from the heat of the plains. Thanks for looking. G
Pine Siskin, Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM
Pine Siskin at the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal, NM. A pleasant little bird and fun to watch during it’s foraging activities, hopping from tree to bush and back to tree again. It has a penchant for hanging upside down, feeding on thistle and fall sunflowers husks. Thanks for looking. G
Muskrat, Shuree Ponds, Valle Vidal, NM
Muskrat at the Shuree Ponds, in the Valle Vidal, NM. One of the critters from yesterday’s list, masticates it’s meal of pond salad. There was ample opportunity for photographs and video as it made 5 trips to the bottom and back to the log. It was unperturbed by our presence and kept on about the business of eating. At first we thought it was a young beaver, until we saw it’s tail. It worked those claws with dexterity to perfection. Thanks for looking. G
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, New Mexico
Comanche Point, in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest, New Mexico. We went to the mountains yesterday, to the Shuree Ponds in the Valle Vidal. Spent a couple of hours at the ponds with all kinds of birds, Brewers and Red-winged Blackbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Robins, Pine Siskins, and a couple of Mallards. Fish were jumping, both birds and fish feasting on an abundance of lace winged bugs. There were electric blue, gossamer winged dragonflies flitting around and two muskrats were chomping on pond salad. Temps dropped to 54° F and the fire smoke blowing in from Arizona was mostly nonexistent. Thanks for looking. G
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM
Comanche Point, Valle Vidal, NM. Another view from the Valley of Life of the Comanche Point formation, down at the water’s edge, on the confluence of the Rio Costilla and Comanche Creek. Thanks for looking. G
Photo Touring, Northern New Mexico
Photo touring, on the road in the Valle Vidal, Northern New Mexico. My long time best friend visited this week and we spent the days traipsing around the mountains and valleys of this area. This was a particularly nice day at 10,000 feet where the aspens and some cottonwoods had the fall colors covered. I hope it’s beautiful where you are and thanks for looking. G
Aspen Light, Valle Vidal, NM
Aspen Light, Valle Vidal, (valley of life) in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico. When the trees start to turn at this elevation yesterday, (10,000 ft) they’ll go quickly. If you get a chance to make it up there in the coming week, I highly recommend it. Of course there are many other locations nearby that will be peaking very soon too! Thanks for looking. G
Locoweed Flower The Showy Kind
Locoweed Flower, the showy kind (Oxytropis splendens) in the Valle Vidal, NM. Back in the high country with more wild flowers and water. Lots of it! Thanks for looking. G
Indian Paintbrush Valle Vidal
Indian Paintbrush and approaching storm in the Valle Vidal, NM. Got down on the ground for this one. The iPhone works well for that and reviewing images on the larger screen for composition and framing on photo tours. It has been a month of trips in the mountains where it has been so lush, green and sparkling with wildflowers. There are no signs of it changing soon. Want to go to the mountains? Thanks for looking. G
Shooting Stars, Wildflowers, Valle Vidal
Shooting Stars amongst the fields of wildflowers in the Valle Vidal, NM
Corral, Valle Vidal, NM
Corral, Valle Vidal, Valley of Life, in the high country of northern New Mexico. I can’t seem to stay away from this gorgeous, pristine spot on the planet, with many reasons to return over the next few months. I feel sure this old lichen strewn, wood corral will feature some more on future trips, so stay tuned. Thanks for looking. G
Twilight Descending, Costilla Creek
Twilight descending, Costilla Creek in the Valle Vidal. One from the high country of New Mexico with an abundance of water and a lot of snow still to melt. Thanks for looking. G
Wild Iris, Northern New Mexico
Wild Iris, everywhere in northern New Mexico. It’s that time of year and the mountain meadows are full these gorgeous, delicate, wild iris blooms. If you get a chance to go to the mountains these will be a real treat for you to behold. Thanks for looking. G
Mountain Bluebird, Sangre De Cristo Pines
Mountain Bluebird, in the Sangre De Cristo Mountain pines. Blue flashes of wings blast out of the trees, through meadow grasses to alight again on the top of another pine tree. Taunting me to the max as I approach which feels more like playful glee to me. I’m smiling all the while. Here’s everything you need to know about Mountain Bluebirds. Thanks for looking. G
Tres Amigos, Comanche Point, Valle Vidal
Tres Amigos, Comanche Point, at the confluence of Comanche Creek and Costilla Creek in the Valle Vidal. From our photo trek this week up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It was a good day, beautiful weather, full of photo ops and camaraderie. Join me on a photo trek to the high country. Thanks for looking. G
