Greetings from San Cristobal, NM
The Wild Rivers Recreation Area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is a gem of a place that I like to visit throughout the year. This time I visited some of my favorite lone trees. I do like a solitary tree. A lone tree for me is like finding a friendly soul where one least expects it. These three trees are all still standing and were strong enough to withstand the high winds last December that flattened hillsides of trees in other areas. The thin layer of clouds gave an illuminated glow to the landscape like a big softbox light.
This old piñon pine is hanging in there and I anticipate a few more pictures until it succumbs to the elements. Its impending demise will also, no doubt, entice me to make images for years to come.
Pretty much the same predicament for this tree as for the other two. The dead needles clinging to the limbs of this tree gave a nice warmth to the scene. The overcast lighting and water on the needles saturated the colors. I could see the reds from a distance and moved in closer to get this shot.
You guessed it… Taos Mountain from the deck in San Cristobal, and a last glimmer of light on the mountain before the sun disappeared for the night.
I found the image below in the archives while searching for the crane image to print. I’d previously published this storm cloud in black and white. It impressed me in color so here it is.
Three new fine art prints went out of the studio this week. If a print interessts you click on the picture to go the pertinent purchase page. This first image of the Sandhill Cranes against the Rocky Mountains, I titled “Pas de Deux”.
Geology in the desert around Abiquiu.
And the Lone Tree, the “Welcome Tree” at the Taos overlook.
Ok… one last image of a young Sandhill Crane at the Monte Vista NWR coming in for a landing.
As always, thank you for looking. Have a great week. G
19 thoughts on “Three Trees, Taos Mountain, Mountain Storm, New Prints.”
Pas de deux is particularly striking.
Hope I get to see the Taos overlook tree while it still stands.
Thanks for your seeing!
That Taos tree is steadfast. I’m pretty sure it will outlast the other trees in this post. Thank you so much, Gary. G
Gets repetitive, but Damn – you’re so talented. Thanks for all of the shares.
Thank you so much, Ron. It means a lot. G
Love your images, especially those of the trees. Have you read Richard Powers’ Pulitzer-prize winning novel “The Overstory,” which fictionalizes some real people and scientists – but not the science of trees. I can safely say it is one of the best books I have ever read, and over the decades and an MA in English literature I’ve read too many to count. I would not steer you wrong.
Now I’m curious and will most certainly pick up a copy. Thank you so much, James. G
Shipped you a copy. If it turns out to be a duplicate, just pass it on. jim
That is extremely generous. Thank you very much, Jim.
My pleasure. Wednesday delivery, perhaps. Take care. jim
I always have a special appreciation for solitary trees, as well. Thanks for sharing these beautiful images. And the storm…WOW. See you down the road!
Thank you, Mark. I thought you might relate. You have some tree beauties yourself. Cheers Mark and yes, see you down the road. G
Pas de Deux is so lovely. I hope you don’t mind, but I posted it on my Facebook page, with a link to where it can be purchased. If you would rather I didn’t post it, I will take it down, but within three minutes two of my friends had responded to it.
Thank you for your compliments, Linda. I’m perfectly happy for you to share the image and link. Thanks so much. G
Not a ballet person myself, I had to look up pas de deux. Great crane image.
Thank you, Larry. I’m more of an opera fan but I know a few ballet moves!!! G
Lovely and dramatic set of images. Hard to find lone trees in Oregon, but your photos remind me that Scotland and Wales have an abundance of solitary trees. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Thank you so much, Bob. I have a few images of lone trees in Scotland.. I won’t go looking for lone trees in Oregon. There are so many more here to seek out. Cheers, Bob. G
Thanks, Geraint for another great post. The “pas de deux” piece is really nice, but then- they all are. FB shared.
I’m looking forward to your spring juants to the Valle Vidal, and to mine.
cheers
Thank you so much, Bob. I’ll be in the Valle as soon as I can in there! G