Wooden Crosses

Wooden crosses mark the graves of four who died over a century ago in Lincoln, New Mexico.

For Rent

I saw this bird house outside the restaurant we ate at in Lincoln, New Mexico. I loved the way it looked set against the tree leafing out and the blue sky.

Framed Entry

Another entryway, this time in Lincoln, NM. Makes me wonder what was in this building at one time. Why was it abondoned? What happened here?

White Sands

It's been a while since I posted a shot I made in White Sands National Monument earlier this year. I'm looking forward to the next chance I get to go see New Mexico in the fall. Hopefully I'll get another chance to go by this great place for some more shots.

White Sands

I have been revisiting some of the images I captured at White Sands National Park a few years ago. Looking forward to being able to go back and photograph this special place again. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

WMD

I captured this shot in April when we visited the site of the first atomic explosion in 1945 in White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The obelisk marks the location of the detonation and the guy on his knee in the lower right is examining the remains of one of the pillars of the structure the bomb was placed on. The site is open once a year on the first Saturday of the month and there is actually less radiation there than we would receive on a cross country flight - or so we were told. We didn't glow in the dark when we left, so I'm guessing we're ok. One of our party had been there in the 60s and is still alive to talk about it, so either he's radiation proof or there really isn't that much radiation to worry about.

Heroes of Bataan

A memorial in Las Cruces, NM to those who survived and died in the Bataan Death March. For more info on this memorial, check out my blog at http://www.stevecoylephotography.com/Blog/Exploring-the-World.

Grasses Galore

My wife and I watched 'Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild' on PBS last night and it reminded me of the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge that we visited last week. We really enjoyed seeing Michael Forsberg's photography in the show so I checked out his Facebook page and gave him a 'like'. I posted the iPhone shot I took in this area last week, but I like this shot I made with my DSLR a lot more and needed to share it. If you're ever in this area of New Mexico I recommend checking out this NWR. Getting there for sunrise is a great way to start the day.

Morning Ruins

Another early morning scene from the Las Vegas Natioinal Wildlife Refuge in northern New Mexico. This too is on the Gallinas Nature Trail in the NWR. If you look closely, there are actually two building ruins in this shot. The other is behind the front building on it's left in the distance.

Defy Gravity

The first morning of the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico last Saturday. The Wicked hot air balloon was leading the ascension that morning. It's a sight to see if you are ever able to make it to New Mexico for the fiesta.

Balloon VIew

It was a beautiful morning in Albuquerque on Monday when I made this shot. This couple was out taking in the view as hundreds of hot air balloons passed overhead. One even landed in the RV park directly behind us a short while later.

Taos Mission

Outside the San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. We stopped by this church on our tour of northern New Mexico. For more on the mission, you can read all about it at the National Park Services' website - http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/San_Francisco_de_Assisi_Mission_Church.html.

Ranchos Colores

A colorful front door display at a home in Ranchos de Taos. I love the colors of the Southwest! Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Taos Moonrise

Finally back from our latest excursion to New Mexico and I've been going through some of the photos I made while we were there. One of my favorite Ansel Adams photos is 'Moonrise over Hernandez', which was shot south of where I made this shot. There was a lot of smoke in the air from controlled burns in the area, which made for a hazy shot. But I waited long enough for the moon to rise above most of the haze as the sun set behind me. I'm on the west side of the Rio Grande gorge and Taos is about 7 miles away where the buildings are below the mountains.

Grande Gorge

TGIF! Sunset on the Rio Grande Gorge west of Taos, New Mexico. There was smoke in the canyon from controlled burns in the nearby mountains when I made this shot. Gave the gorge a foggy cast.

Fleeting Colors

Happy Halloween! Wrapping up October and the work week with another shot of the fall foliage in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico. We saw this scene as we were driving from Taos to Las Vegas. I would have loved to have stood at the edge of the pond for this shot, but it was on private property so all I could do was admire from afar.

Mountain Colors

Fall had come to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as we drove through them last week between Taos, NM and Las Vegas, NM. I captured this image at a roadside pullout along the drive.

Autumn Mountain

Fall in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Taos and Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Ranch Gate

Fall colors on a ranch in northern New Mexico in early October. I was looking for a combination like this as we drove across New Mexico. Glad we were lucky enough to find it with a tree in full fall colors and a gate to frame the scene. :-) Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Enchanted View

Continuing with the gate and fall colors theme, fence line along the Enchanted Circle in northern New Mexico. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Cimarron Afternoon

The cold, foggy day we've had in central Texas today has me thinking of warmer days with a little sunshine. Although storm clouds were building to the west when I made this along the Cimarron River in northern New Mexico, we never saw a drop of rain. We did see some great fall colors though and a few fishermen enjoying the afternoon along this scenic stretch of water. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Rio Grande

This cold weather we're having today has me thinking about trips out west. One of the images from the Rio Grande River that I made on our trip last fall will help fill the void until I can make another trip that way. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Days End

The Dripping Springs Natural Area in New Mexico's Organ Mountains was our first stop on our trip west in March. I had only seen the Organ Mountains from the road and had wanted the chance to hike in them. Our arrival tiem in Las Cruces provided just enough of a window for such a hike. I was racing back down the trail to get back to the van before sunset as there were posted signs regarding fines for anyone there after sunset. I really didn't want to start our trip with a fine. The hike up into the mountains was a nice one with steady elevation gain up to the remains of an old settlement, complete with a hotel that served stage coach travelers at one time. There were additional trails in the natural area, but alas, we were out of time and will just have to put it on the schedule for the next time we are in the area. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Enchanting View

A little stay at home and social distancing inspiration for your Monday. This is a view of the Land of Enchantment in the early evening from high above Las Cruces. It is hard to believe this was our view only a year ago in a much different time. Looking forward to returning to better days and views like this. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)