Red Rock Mesas of McKinley County New Mexico Drone Video
Back out in the New Mexico desert for the first time in a while for rural land real estate photography. This time I was in McKinley County New Mexico somewhere west of Grants and east of Thoreau. The obvious highlight of this area were the many red rock mesas creating a dramatic view and landscape. I sent the drone up and over the mesas showing the view from atop, ground level, and in between. If you want to own these views, contact Hemingway Land Company.
Another lake state park in New Mexico you can visit
It was a very, very windy visit to Ute Lake State Park in Logan, New Mexico (see map below for directions). It was so windy I was afraid I would not be able to fly the drone at all to get the content I needed for my client. Thankfully, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone is next level over previous drones for flying in strong winds and producing usable content. I was even helped out by one boat driving across the lake, and two kite boarders zooming over the rough lake surface! On the south shore of the lake you can see it has a rocky coast, fun for scrambling around on. The north shore has a gravely beach of sorts good for a sunset stroll. Have you been to this state park? It is out of the way, 35 minutes NE of Tucumcari, but a nice lake retreat area with the small town of Logan having restaurants, gas, and groceries. Check it out sometime!
Ladron Peak is 20 miles from anything in New Mexico desert
Driving further down dirt road than I nearly ever did before on a rural land shoot, I passed by Ladron Peak along the way to my actual destination. After nearly 20 miles on seldom traveled dirt road, I pulled over to send the drone up to capture views of Ladron Peak and the surrounding mesas. Even from the view of my DJI Mavic 3 Cine drone, I saw no one and nothing in this area. If you are looking for a remote mountain peak to hike, Ladron Peak is for you!
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.
Leaving Albuquerque on a scenic drive for a day trip can take you to Abiquiu Lake. Driving offroad can get you to this less visited southern area of the lake. I was on a rural land real estate shoot for a client who also wanted some footage of the lake. Finding access from the south was a challenge due to a couple of locked gates, but I found a place to launch the drone from just in time to get this stunning golden hour and sunset cinematic 4K drone video. Check out the map link below to visit Abiquiu Lake yourself.
Sunrise drone flight for amazing results for the client
Here at Jason Collin Photography, I find in photography and drone video, getting up for the sunrise is never a bad thing and often produces amazing results. Such was the case at this luxury rural real estate property in Arizona that I just happened to be staying at in the guest cabin allowing me an easy walk to the large pond right on the property to catch this stunning sunrise with both the drone and my mirrorless camera. This was a specific request by the client to capture sunrise content, and I included it in the overall property drone video I delivered to the client. I liked the sunrise drone video clips so much, I wanted to feature them, even though they are brief, in their own drone video.
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.
