Foggy Cover Lifting—The Story
Friends had recommended that I visit and explore the Monastery of Christ in the Desert as a particularly beautiful place to meditate, enjoy quiet, and photograph. It is located at the end of a long and sometimes very muddy Forest Service road. And, during my visit, it rained for nearly one whole day. Finally, the rain slowed so I took up my camera and started on the wet and muddy walk from my sleeping room to the church building. The air was thick with heavy fog. As the fog finally began to lift and break up, I found myself right in front of the monastery. This would make a thoughtful and contemplative view I thought. It might lead people to think about the meditative experience of being at the Monastery, fog lifting after a storm, clearing our hearts and minds.
Mesa Across the River — The Story
As the storm began to move away, the rich, clean colors of the Earth came into view. Those deep reds, and orangy-yellows were most striking. And though the sky was heavy clouds, blocking most of the day’s light, there was a beautiful reflection on the still-as-a-looking-glass river. It was fun to imagine myself being on the other side and up high on the mesa top, looking out at the vast, beautiful territory.
Cottonwood Reflections—The Story
I was staying along the Chama River, enjoying the fact that the lovely Cottonwood trees were turning into their best fall colors. There had been a heavy rain the day before so the river was very muddy and the drive along the road was very muddy and slippery. The storm had just let up, light was beginning to break through the clouds, and the reflections in the water were eye catching. What a lucky break.
Golden Carpet—The Story
I was visiting and exploring a new place. There are so many wonderful places to visit in New Mexico. This one is along the Chama River, off highway 84. It was fall, the leaves of the cottonwood trees had turned into beautiful rich fall colors and a storm had just moved through the area. Almost all the leaves on this particular tree had fallen off, covering the ground under the tree, giving an appearance of a carpet of gold. The trail was very muddy, a small group of wild horses was approaching me from behind, urging me to move faster as I slipped and slid along, but the beauty of the moment called me out to capture this photograph, no matter what.
Ripples on Glass — The Story
Once the heavy rain ended, I knew there would be some mighty views to enjoy. I quickly took off, camera in hand, for the river bank, slipping and sliding in the thick, gooey mud all the way, trying my best not to fall over. Once at the river’s edge, I looked up and down to capture the best view. All views were lovely. This one was really nice, with faint orange and yellow hues of cottonwood fall glory, ripples of light wave action on the river’s glassy surface, and subtle shades of gray to remind us a heavy rain storm had just passed through.
Canyon Drive — The Story
The day had come, time to head back home. Ever notice that just turning around and looking or going in the opposite direction can give you an entirely different view? Today was one of those days and the different views included many ah-ha moments to capture. Like this one, where the road runs close to the mesa cliffside and the red rock geology says, I’m different, take a picture!
To The Chapel — The Story
The rainstorm had ended and I finally made it to the Chapel to see how it had fared in the day long drenching rain. The sunshine starting to break through the clouds from across the canyon was being very kind to the stucco surface, giving it a beautiful orange glow. The top edges of the Chapel walls bore the pattern of a heavy rainfall, nature’s intriguing design. The Chapel windows reflected the clouds from across the canyon. And the simple yet elegant cross on the top was set against a jewel-like turquoise sky. Beautiful!
Free Range Horses, One — The Story
I wasn’t the only one anxious to get out and about as soon as the rain stopped. There were these free range horses following me around! They were gentle and friendly and curious!
Free Range Horses, Two
Chapel in the Rock — The Story
The storm had just ended. The drenching rains left distinctive wet marks along the top adobe edges. There was a strong reflection of the sky in the Chapel glass window. The color of the canyon wall nearly matched the adobe walls. There was a sense that the Chapel and the canyon were one, that the Chapel had been carved out of the canyon wall.
Muddy River—The Story
This photograph was taken during the same visit to the Chama River, with the beautifully striking cottonwood trees in their fall colored leaves. The river was very muddy as a result of a recent heavy rainfall. But this day’s sun on the earth gave a wonderful view to be recorded.
Chama River View — The Story
As I drove along the Forest Service road on my way home I kept catching glimpses of the river, and the reflections of the cottonwood trees and the mountains in the background. Progress was slow as I kept stopping to take another shot!
Cottonwoods on the Chama — The Story
Yet another view!
Approaching Ghost Ranch — The Story
The Chapel is located very near Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, familiar to fans of Georgia O’Keeffe. The reddish colors of the canyon walls were complemented by the yellow and orange shades of the fall dressed cottonwood trees. The clouds were thin and delicate, just right on this beautiful fall day in New Mexico.
River Bend — The Story
The road home takes you past this lovely curve in the river. On this particular day, the clouds were wispy and the cottonwoods were dressed in the beautiful yellows and oranges of fall.
River Bend Looking South — The Story
Same place, just turning slightly, reveals a wide valley of the river and many more lovely fall colored cottonwood trees.
River Bend, Looking Skyward — The Story
Just looking slightly up and a diaphanous layer of thin cloud cover takes center stage. A perfect New Mexico day.