Eagle Nest Lake State Park New Mexico True Landscape Photography

August 26, 2021 in Nature & Wildlife

Hidden Gem of a mountain lake in northern New Mexico

New Mexico has dual environmental personalities. The lower half of the state is mostly sand and baron. The upper half, is mostly mountainous and tree covered. So when you think New Mexico is a desert state, it’s hard to also picture that there is a place like Eagle Nest Lake State Park that is a mountain lake surrounded by tall grass and other flora. Hiking paths will take you all around the lake with pivoting views of different mountains. This is a place to come and cool off from the extreme summer heat. It was only 74F for a high on this day in late August! Check out the map below to visit this hidden gem mountain lake oasis.

Valley of Fires New Mexico in Black and White

July 29, 2021 in Nature & Wildlife, Fine Art

The struggle of flora in the Valley of Fires

This was a return to Valley of Fires walking through a different area than three years ago (check out those photos and drone video). This time I observed how the flora of the desert struggled even more to live around and actually on the vast lava field. To highlight this struggle I converted the images to black and white for impact. On the side of a long empty, desert road, I think Valley of Fires definitely qualifies as a hidden gem of New Mexico. It offers exploring for all levels from just observing from afar and up top the vast expanse of this lava field, to walking as far as you want right through the jagged lava formations. If you really like Valley of Fires, you can even camp there. Check out the map below to visit this hidden gem of miles of lava in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico.

El Vado Lake 4K Drone Video New Mexico True

January 26, 2021 in Drone, Nature & Wildlife

El Vado Lake a hidden gem in Rio Arriba County New Mexico

Rio Arriba County New Mexico is one of my favorite places to visit for my rural land real estate work in particular because of the spectacular scenery of and around El Vado Lake. This lake is part of a state park (open seasonally). The water level changes radically with the seasons. I have been at the lake and was shocked at just how low it was at that time. In these photos and drone video I would say the lake is pretty high and near its full volume. Another unique thing about this lake, is that if you are coming from the south, one option you have is to take a 16 mile dirt road right to this southern point of the lake. The dirt road is well maintained, so pretty much any vehicle with a little ground clearance could do it in the dry, and is my recommended way of visiting El Vado Lake. If you are looking for a hidden gem of a lake in New Mexico, use the map below to visit El Vado Lake yourself.

La Ventana Natural Arch New Mexico True Photography

October 13, 2020 in Nature & Wildlife

Standing for 160 million years hidden in New Mexico

The vast open spaces of New Mexico are actually filled with hidden gems, like La Ventana Natural Arch, a 160 million year old rock formation that spans 135 feet and gets down to only 25 feet at its narrowest point. Amazing something make of sandstone has survived that long, though eventually, it will return to dust in who knows how many more millions of years! Check out the map below to see this natural wonder in person.

Quemado Lake New Mexico Drone Video and Photography

September 17, 2020 in Nature & Wildlife

Aerial and lakeshore views of this hidden gem

My rural land real estate work takes me to all corners of New Mexico, but I had never yet been to the west-central area of New Mexico where I found the hidden gem of Quemado Lake. Far from any interstate, really far from any even major town, let alone city, it’s a place you have to go ou oof your way to find. It is definitely a place worth making an effort for, as it has a hiking trail that goes around the entire shoreline of this quite large lake. Plus, there are the traditional lake on-water activities. I share with you views from the drone and the lake side of this hidden gem.

Smokey the Bear is from New Mexico

August 12, 2020 in Photo Story

Smokey the Bear spokesanimal for preventing forest fires!

A recent commercial interior photo shoot took me to Ruidoso, New Mexico for the firs time, which in turn by taking the scenic route took me to Capitan, New Mexico which to my great surprise is the home of the real Smokey the Bear! Who knew? Smokey has his own historic park detailing his life story. His life definitely started out very sad, being orphaned in a forest fire and being found burned and clinging to a tree (see photo below). This early tragedy led him to a life as an ambassador for the forest serivce and a spokesanimal for preventing forest fires. He served in this role for 25 years! What an amazing story and to discover it right here in New Mexico.

Art Cartopia Museum of Trinidad Colorado Photos

July 16, 2020 in Cars, Photo Story

For car and oddities lovers

Atlas Obscura is a great website for finding hidden gems and odd places when traveling. This is how Art Cartopia Museum came on my radar on a recent rural land photography shoot in Trinidad, Colorado. This museum is free (though donations encouraged) and dog friendly indoors and out, and open during Covid-19 for guests wearing masks. What can you see at this museum? Art cars of all kinds, styles, and designs! A van covered in eyeballs? Yes. A huge skeleton driving on top of a car? Yes. A dentist’s dream (or nightmare?) car? Yes. Oddities abound in car form. The owner as one would expect is friendly, a character, and makes you feel like you are the very first visitor ever to the museum, which to me is always a sign of a great host, making you feel like you are the first visitor ever!