Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Wildlife

Rainbow, Mountain Clouds, Bighorn Sheep. 05-31-2023.

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
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
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

Building storm clouds
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.

Taos Mountain clouds
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
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
Eurasian-collared Dove preening itself.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s post. As always thanks for looking. See you next week. G

Bighorn Sheep, Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico

Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge west of Taos, New Mexico. Sometimes they disappear far away into the canyon because they can. My photographer clients ask me, “where do they go?” to which I reply, “anywhere they want.” This one and a few others showed up just where we want them, on a rock! Thanks for looking. G

bighorn_sheep_rio_grande_gorge_nm_2408-9608648

Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, NM

Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. I waited at this road for some activity, perhaps a crane, a deer, or bobcat maybe even a mountain lion to saunter along. It wasn’t to be. Further down the irrigation channel, two wild turkeys wandered through the old sunflowers. Thanks for looking. G

Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, NM

Bosque Del Apache, National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

Bighorn Sheep Rams, Drinking, Gorge Rim Road

Bighorn Sheep Rams drinking from a recent rain puddle on the Rio Grande Gorge west rim road. We all need water. These guys, two of the eight rams I saw, crossed the road in front of me and drank from the muddy puddle. I’ve added a couple of close ups below. As always, thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Rams, Drinking, Gorge Rim Road

Kneeling Bighorn Sheep Ram

Bighorn Sheep Ram, drinking water

Red Squirrel, Back Garden, Boulder Colorado

Red Squirrel in the back garden, Boulder Colorado. I had the pleasure of watching this bold fellow tearing up and down, leaping between trees, foraging for whatever it was wanting. It was a mesmerizing half hour one Sunday morning looking through the long lens. Thanks for looking. G

Red Squirrel, Back Garden, Boulder Colorado.

Osprey, First Flight, Chama, New Mexico

Osprey, first flight, along the highway power line nesting platform, Chama, New Mexico. A quick drive around the block today. It was very peaceful and delightful, watching these chicks and mom on the nest. Dad is gone, maybe fishing. We spent about an hour observing their behavior. Thanks for looking in. G

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
Who’s going first?

 

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
I’ll give it a shot!

 

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
Look Mama, I’m going for it.

 

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
Go, go, go!

 

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
Whoa!

 

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico.
About 30 minutes later, mom has left and is calling from a nearby tree. Sister is saying, “wow bro, look at you, that’s awesome.”

 

Canada Geese, Rio Grande, Pilar, NM

Canada Geese, setting up a nesting spot on an island in the middle of the Rio Grande, Pilar, NM. They’ll be hatching a brood of goslings soon. A beautiful day in a beautiful location and a lovely spot to raise a family. Thanks for looking. G

Canada Geese, Rio Grande, Pilar, NM

Bighorn Sheep Ram, Orilla Verde, NM

Bighorn sheep. A young ram is ensconced up to his ears in the sage in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area. I got up close and personal with this young fellow on a drive through the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico. I hope everyone is getting out in the fresh air when you can. Stay healthy. Thanks for looking. G

Bighorn Sheep Ram, Orilla Verde, NM

Lewis’s Woodpecker, San Cristobal

Lewis’s Woodpecker, a regular visitor to the garden in San Cristobal, NM. When I finally looked at the images I discovered that he wasn’t trying to retrieve a kernel or two or three from the hole in the fence post, he was drinking the snow melt water that had accumulated there. As you can see I caught the drip. I love these birds. Thanks for looking. G

Lewis's Woodpecker San Cristobal

Golden Eagle, Pole Sitting, Vallecito Mountain

Golden Eagle, pole sitting, on the Hondo Mesa with Vallecito Mountain for a backdrop. I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a hawk from a distance, but grew larger as I closed the distance. I’m not a hundred percent certain it’s a golden but I’m going with it. Thanks for looking. G

Golden Eagle, Pole Sitting, Vallecito Mountain