Palisades Sill Rock Formation New Mexico True

May 14, 2020 in Nature & Wildlife

Wall of rock home to hawks in Cimarron Canyon State Park

If you blink while driving past Palisades Sill along HWY 64 in Cimarron Canyon State Park, you are likely to not even notice it was there. How can that be when you look at the drone video above and see the 100 foot wall of rock? That is because the canyon is very narrow, with tall timber along the road, that twists and requires the driver to keep a keen eye. However, if you do stop, you will be treated to a hidden gem of a rock formation that hawks swoop down from and has the Cimarron River gently gurgling at its foot.

The Toadstool Hoodoos of remote Rio Rancho desert rock formations

February 27, 2020 in Nature & Wildlife

Hoodoo in the desert!

Looking for an interesting place to go off-roading with a specific destination during my Florida friends visit in December, searching Google Maps I found these rock formations called the Toadstool Hoodoos far west of Rio Rancho in the desert area I often do rural land real estate shoots. The toadstools were further west than even I had been before, so it would be a new adventure for me. We all got in the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and set out not knowing what to expect. Using Google Maps as a guide, it was stop and start to find the best road in, with some warning signs that might defeat less bold explorers. In the end, we made it to these rock formations just before sunset and there was no one around for miles and miles. I was able to treat my friends to a real New Mexico True desert exploring experience!

Walking across Devil's Bridge in Sedona Arizona

January 22, 2020 in Photo Story, Nature & Wildlife

Line up for the Devil’s Bridge

Hidden on the back of a mesa in Sedona, Arizona, the Devil’s Bridge is a stunning rock formation with a long line of people waiting to take a photo on it. There is a long way and a less long way to reach the Devil’s Bridge in the first place. Having a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk allowed us to take the less long way, as a mile of very, very rough road was bouncily traversed in the Jeep. After the still not insignificant hike to the back of the mesa, I think I noticed the long line of people before actually noticing the Devil’s Bridge itself! How does something like this naturally occur? It’s just another wonder of Nature. One cannot actually cross the bridge as it would take a hardly leap to get back to the side of the mesa, which I contemplated doing, but with much of it still snow and ice covered, that is something only possible in the summer. I did not wait in the line to stand on the bridge, but you can see Jessica in the top photo standing out on the Devil’s Bridge. As you can see, the red rock view’s from the bridge are not bad at all either!

Rockhound State Park & Florida Mountains New Mexico landscapes

August 01, 2019 in Nature & Wildlife

Wondrous rocks of Rockhound & Florida Mountains

Over the course of three hours in the desert southeast of Deming, New Mexico covering over 50 miles, many of it dirt road, I was treated to various views of both Rockhound State Park and the Florida Mountains. These have unusual names, but perhaps because of their unusual rock formations. I was actually being paid to enjoy these views as I actually in the midst of a six location rural land real estate photo shoot. Even though it was of course hot, the weather was otherwise near ideal for day time landscape photography with plenty of clouds and mountains on the horizon in most directions. I was quite busy driving to all these locations, but I did take time to pause, and realize the amazing desert environment I was all out all alone in.

Lover's Leap Canyon in Rockhound State Park of Spring Canyon

March 28, 2019 in Nature & Wildlife

Lover’s Leap is Steep

Traveling all over the state of New Mexico for rural land photography work allows me to explore some off the beaten path places in between shoots. The latest was Spring Canyon State Park, which is really part of Rockhound State Park, and this particular canyon is Lover’s Leap Canyon. That’s complicated! All without mentioning these parks are made up of the Florida Mountains! The trail up Lover’s Leap Canyon is allegedly only 0.9 miles, but it takes over 30 minutes due to how steep and rocky it is. The view just keeps getting better and better as the trail gets higher. Once at the top, take off your backpack, get out a snack, and enjoy the fruit of one’s hiking labors! This is another hidden gem in New Mexico.

Bisti Badlands New Mexico True Landscape HDR Photography

March 20, 2019 in Nature & Wildlife

Bisti Badlands for New Mexico True Explorers

Truly in the middle of nowhere New Mexico, but it has to be somewhere, so it is in the northwest of the state, Bisti Badlands hides itself to all but those willing to leave behind civilization to set foot on it. No amenities, no paths, Bisti Badlands just exists. If you have the vehicle and the desert exploring skills to get into it, the rewards can be seen in the photos below. The rock formations in both macro and micro view are equally odd.

City of Rocks State Park New Mexico Photography

March 15, 2019 in Nature & Wildlife

Getting to the City of Rocks

My job as a professional photographer in New Mexico takes me all over the state. After photoshoots, I sometimes have the opportunity to seek out unusual places in the remote area I happen to be. On a recent 4-day photo shoot in Silver City, I had the chance to visit City of Rocks State Park. This is a place definitely off of the beaten path, as Silver City itself is out of the way, and City of Rocks is another 30+ minutes drive into nowhere. The investment in miles is certainly worth it though, as you can see in these photographs this is a unique place of natural wonder. Out in the midst of flat desert is an appropriately named city of unusual rock formations. There are no set trails or paths in this park, you have to just wander. It’s fantastic!