The Culebra Range is a subset of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that run N-S from Poncha Pass, CO to Santa Fe, NM. There is one peak in the range, Culebra @ 14,054' and eleven other named peaks between 13,128' and 13,911'.
The CO-NM border is slightly south of the furthest right peak (Vermejo Pk) in this image.
Thanks for sharing Al - great to see a less photographed part of Colorado, and image is well executed. Unless I am mistaken, most of the scene is private property.
Mattcaptt wrote:
The culebra range is indeed a stunning part of the sangre de cristo mountains known by its rugged terrain and high peaks
I grew up there and I could look up at this scene every day! Someday my ashes will be scattered somewhere in the area. Not yet though!
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junglialoh wrote:
Lovely and beautiful landscape image in gorgeous foliage color
Lobohowler wrote:
Thanks for sharing Al - great to see a less photographed part of Colorado, and image is well executed. Unless I am mistaken, most of the scene is private property.
Yes, it is private. My family was there when the land dispute began in the early 60's and I remember the anger that spilled into the small communities. Before those days we used to camp and fish on the 'Sierra'. Unfortunately about all I can do now is look at it from a distance.
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bwolfson wrote:
Really beautiful, I love the different layers/depths of foliage you got. I really need to find time to make it out to Colorado/NM.
I found time to visit New England several years ago and we saw some of the most incredible colors there. I see that you are from Virginia and I strongly encourage you to get out here someday. The Aspen are really 'going off' in southern Colorado right now. If you ever need information please send me a PM.
You're getting some great color there, Al. One thing I've always loved about that area is the skies. something about them, I couldn't begin to describe it.
Monika C wrote:
You're getting some great color there, Al. One thing I've always loved about that area is the skies. something about them, I couldn't begin to describe it.
Hi Monica! The spot I took this picture from was once the Forbes Trinchera Ranch where I worked on-and-off from 1972 to 1982 (yes, I'm getting old!).
I think it was about 1974 or so that Mr. Forbes commissioned a French painter to spend a summer on the ranch and capture its expansive landscapes. I was assigned the duty to drive him to certain places on the ranch (he painted four fabulous paintings that summer!). I recall those were long days and I found out I couldn't hurry him nor look over his shoulder!
One day as we were having lunch he told me that he lived in NYC, and knew many artists who had moved to Taos and Santa Fe and had read many letters by Georgia O'Keefe, Alfred Steiglitz and Mabel Dodge Luhan; each of whom spoke highly about the quality of light in New Mexico. I wish I could remember his name but he did tell me that those (and other artists) were "absolutely right about the beautiful light". The story was about NM but the area we were in is an extension of the valley northwards into Colorado from Taos.
Mabel Dodge Luhan may have summed it up perfectly - " “From the very first day, I found out that the sunshine in New Mexico could do almost anything with one: make one well if one felt ill, or change a dark mood and lighten it,” Dodge wrote. “It entered into one’s deepest places and melted the thick, slow densities. It made one feel good. That is, alive.”
Al Trujillo wrote:
Hi Monica! The spot I took this picture from was once the Forbes Trinchera Ranch where I worked on-and-off from 1972 to 1982 (yes, I'm getting old!).
I think it was about 1974 or so that Mr. Forbes commissioned a French painter to spend a summer on the ranch and capture its expansive landscapes. I was assigned the duty to drive him to certain places on the ranch (he painted four fabulous paintings that summer!). I recall those were long days and I found out I couldn't hurry him nor look over his shoulder!
One day as we were having lunch he told me that he lived in NYC, and knew many artists who had moved to Taos and Santa Fe and had read many letters by Georgia O'Keefe, Alfred Steiglitz and Mabel Dodge Luhan; each of whom spoke highly about the quality of light in New Mexico. I wish I could remember his name but he did tell me that those (and other artists) were "absolutely right about the beautiful light". The story was about NM but the area we were in is an extension of the valley northwards into Colorado from Taos.
Mabel Dodge Luhan may have summed it up perfectly - " “From the very first day, I found out that the sunshine in New Mexico could do almost anything with one: make one well if one felt ill, or change a dark mood and lighten it,” Dodge wrote. “It entered into one’s deepest places and melted the thick, slow densities. It made one feel good. That is, alive.”
Thanks again for your wonderful comments! All my best. ...Show more →
Thanks, Al. Agnes Martin's "I like your plumbing, Lord!" made me laugh.
I never "got" Georgia O'Keefe until I saw her originals - the cheap reproductions lost the luminosity of her work.
Thank you, Morris! I know you spend a lot of time over at the Wildlife thread but it's nice seeing your landscape work.
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