While on the Road traveling for my rural land real estate photography work in New Mexico, with often long drives to and from locations, I like to break them up by visiting some of the off the beaten path attractions of the area. This time it was Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which judging by the very few other people there, is an overlooked natural landscape northwest of Roswell, New Mexico. I cannot say it was the most stunning wetlands area I have ever taken my camera too, but it was a nice break from the harsh desert and boring cattle land views on the long drive back to Albuquerque.
Time and opportunity to see rare sights in New Mexico
My work as the most prolific rural land real estate photographer in New Mexico takes me to many out of the way places one may never normally see. For example, Berrendo Creek is probably not on the itinerary of many people who visit Roswell. It is far from the alien themed main street and easy to not even notice driving by the country road it is on. I actually remembered from when I was last here over 2 years ago, and this time I had the time to stop by while there was still some light left in the twilightsky. Such is how I get to see many things in New Mexico in just four years of residing here.
Returning to Socorro County New Mexico for rural land real estate photography for the first time in 2021, an area I have been to many times before, I knew what to expect. It would be windy, very windy, Google Maps would show roads where there is only open desert, and eventually, the cows would come home. I experienced all of the above, but those challenges did not stop me from getting the results the client wanted with the right combination of clouds, light, and sunset. If you would like to own these views, check out Hemingway Land.
For me Sedona is a place of long time mystery and intrigue. It was a stop on my very first trip out west in 2000, where I ate one of the best meals of my life, a vegan chimichanga, while looking out at Snoopy Rock. I can only remember about 7 eating experiences in my life, and that is one of them. A second visit three years ago was all too brief and I could not find that chimichanga restaurant again, and lost my dog’s favorite traveling blanket. A third visit 1.5 years ago was more extended, where I got to drive my own Jeep offroad and over the most challenging obstacle I’ve ever encountered offroad. It was also the height of winter and in contrast to that amazing chimichanga meal, I had an outdoor meal (cannot remember the dish) that was one the coldest experience’s of my life. It was outdoor dining (even before Covid-19) in about 30F temps. It might as well have been 20 below. Still, I look forward to returning to Sedona again soon, this time with my mountain bike to explore the red rock like one only can from such an intimate machine. What are your Sedona experiences? Let me know in the comments below.
It was quite the challenge to capture the sunset at six different rural land real estate properties in Huerfano CountyColorado with only three nights to do so! This resulted in one evening being like the end of the movie Bram Stoker’s Dracula with me actually racing against the sunset to get to the last property in time before the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Unlike in the movie, I did make it before the sunset and got the shots I needed. Without having to race around in a Jeep, you can see all the sunset views made with my signature HDR technique.
Infinite Sand for Infinite Photographs at White Sands
There are some natural wonders that a photographer could live at and basically photograph for the rest of their life. Places like the Grand Canyon are obvious. For New Mexico, there may not be an immediate obvious choice, but to me. the obvious choice is White Sands. I have been there three times and each visit I found something the same, but different to photograph. Then there is the unique, open world construct of White Sands. There are no set paths you have to walk on, no established iconic photo of White Sands, which frees a photographer to wander and find their own iconic view of this expanse of white sand desert, distant mountains, and endless sky.
One of my favorite areas to visit in New Mexico is a very small town in San Juan County called Navajo Dam, which is home to the second largest lake in the state, Navajo Lake. I have been here many times, but this was the first time to find myself on a road on the southern shore of the lake allowing me to make photos with a much different view of the lake and dam and in the distance, the San Juan River also. This was the first time I found myself driving across the top of the dam which is very high up and steep, and with no guard rails! There are stunning views on both sides of the dam, but as the driver you definitely have to stay focused!
