Saturday, September 19, 2020

A Day of Photography

Finished some chores around the NM condo so I took off to see what interesting subjects the camera could find. 

Spotted an artist painting along the Rio Grande river between Taos and Embudo. She consented to my taking her photo as she worked.  The smoke in the distance is from the wildfires in California.

Those who know me know that my number one photography objective is to tell a story with a photo. 
So this one is titled "Can you see as I see?" 

I could not see the colors in the hills like she was seeing but that is what art is all about. 
And in many cases with photography too.



Next rode up into the mountains to the very small village of Las Trampas to visit the San Jose de Gracia Mission. Built in 1760, it is still in use today.

I admire this mission and the town folks who maintain it the best they can though the village is very poor.
Have visited and photographed this mission many times trying to capture it in the right light.  
Here is today's effort.




Next to this high dry desert mission  is a small cemetery for Priests or persons who have made personal contributions to the maintenance of the mission. Adobe buildings require constant work to repair and maintain in this harsh environment.


Then rode over the mountains down to Rancho de Taos. Many may not realize that Taos and Rancho de Taos are two different pueblos. The most photographed church in America is here in Rancho de Taos, the San Fransico de Asis Mission. Construction started in 1772, the mission was finished by 1815. 

In 1929, Ansel Adams took his famous photo of the backside of the mission.


Surrounding the mission are many old buildings and structures that are as old or older than the mission itself. Some are still occupied as residences, other converted to commercial use. 

This residence with the blue door and the dying sunflowers caught the camera's attention.


There is a horseshoe nailed above the entrance with heels pointing down. There are two different thoughts on this centuries old custom of hanging a horseshoe: heels up in order to catch the good luck falling your way, or heels down so that good fortune falls on all who enter.  How do you hang yours?


By now the sun was dropping in the west, leaving a warm kiss on the mission walls.



That concludes today's photo findings.  

Was able to practice my photography hobby, rode the BMW sidecar rig a couple hundred miles, 
so in all a great day.

Ride safe my friends, practice social distancing. 

CCjon




Monday, September 14, 2020

September in the Southern Rockies

An unusual cold front channeled a snow storm down thru the Rockies, across Colorado and into northern New Mexico the week after Labor Day. Decided to delay the drive back to NM for a few days for the roads to dry.

Night time temperatures are now down into the 20's even though the snow is gone.  The aspens will not start turning yellow for a few more weeks, but they are still beautiful trees. Found a nice grove to snap a few photos of the BMW-EZS sidecar rig.








... then came across an aspen forest of young trees. Someone told me that aspens are all connected via roots underground. From the roots a new sucker spouts up, adding another tree to the forest.  Is that true?




Inspite of freezing nighttime temperatures, did venture out for a few more milky way shots. Did not see any shooting stars that were so prominent in August,  but the planets Jupiter and Saturn are still visible.



For the milky way shots, I get away from the lights in the village to avoid any light pollution.  My escape into darkness is the Valley of the Utes (Indian word for Elk). 

Later when I drove back down, the moon had risen. Too bad there wasn't a blanket of snow on the ground to reflect the moon's brightness.  Ah, well in a couple of months that will be the norm. 


Stay safe and healthy my friends

CCjon