Aggie Logic

In Search of Cerro Pedernal

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Today was one of those days -- one of those blessed days. Me and my dog, Bella Rosa, spent it in search of a yet another  viewpoint from which to shoot Cerro Pedernal for my limited edition collection of the Cerro.

I didn't know where I was going. I wouldn't know until I found it. I spent the first half of the day following the wrong mountain road to it's peak, looking south the entire way, hoping to glimpse the Cerro from the heights past Youngsville and above Coyote, New Mexico.

Having never taken to these particular mountain ranges before, I descended the first, once I discovered you couldn't view the cerro from there. A little further south, past Youngsville I found a forest road I'd never followed.

There were, of course, beautiful vistas, but I arrived at the peak, at least 9,000 feet, without a glimpse of the Cerro. Disappointed, I turned around and had only descended a short way when Cerro Pedernal loomed into view, closer than I imagined, and only slightly higher than I.

Its magnificence was only visible for a very short stretch of this high forest road. You couldn't see it on the way up, only down. It took my breath away. Me and Bella Rosa jumped out. We spent hours traversing every angle for the best shot, and Bella was caught in an unexpected adventure that only sheer brawn could release her from. She has always thought she's a mountain goat. And I doubt she learned her lessen todayl. I hope you enjoy this virtual photo shoot as much as we did.

 

Waiting for the Chama River Valley Leaves to Turn

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I waited 10 days and made three trips to the valley to catch those golden cottonwood leaves in my viewfinder, as you can see in the shoot video below. Persistence paid off, as it usually does. You couldn't be there with me, but you can virtually join me on this photo right here.

The following photo art is the view featured in the video. I wanted to post it first because this view was the intent of the shoot from the beginning, though it took 10 days for the trees to ripen. More pix follow as I finish them.

 

 
 

On a Chama River Mountainside: Oct 3, 2009

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Welcome back for another virtual photo shoot. I wish I could just pack each one of you up and take you with me. But, this will have to do.

Today I went back to shoot the golden cottonwood foilage and the Chama River (that's twice now). The leaves have not changed yet so I didn't bother to shoot there, nevertheless there was grand adventure ahead.

Just across the mountaintop there is a steep road (some wouldn't be so kind). It's a short road but only a 4X4 could make it down, and more importantly back up! My passenger, Fatou Gueye, who has come with me on only two shoots now but the last was atop a hill in a storm, remarked as she held tight to the seat, "Going on a shoot with you is like being in one of those Ford Tough commercials!"

The above photo is courtesy of my cousin Betsy who had the guts to ride further down the mountain than I've gone before, and get stuck with me just feet from a 500 foot drop off. Kudos, Kousin!

Please join me via the video below. And hold on to your seats.

  

The photo below was actually taken on the way home thanx to my cousin Betsy. I was driving, but Betsy was following the full moon. In Coyote, NM she glimpsed this moon and shouted out. My tires nearly screeched as I slowed and did a U-turn on the narrow road. But you can't waste a moment when it comes to nature. I had to set up my tripod and wide angle lens before the moon rose too high.

 

 
 

 

Coyote, NM Ruins: Virtual Photo Shoot

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Today is September 30, 2009. The cottonwoods are only half ripened to their golden splendor, but even that is enough to make you stop and get out your camera.

You'll see many cottonwoods in the background of the video and photos from our shoot today. In autumn, their leaves turn the color of aspens, but we're too low altitude in Coyote to see true aspens.

But each fall Spirit compensates with the huge, branching golden cottonwood leaves, just in case you aren't able to break away and go up mountain to breathe in the aspens.

Scroll down to watch the video at the bottom.