With the snow melting in the mountains and the trails in the high desert still muddy, I recently headed to Red Rock Park to take in the park’s amazing geologic features. This section of layered sandstone is one of my favorite rock formations. While it looks steep and can be tricky to navigate, especially when wet, the rock has small ledges among the layers that allow for amazing grip.
Last year, as the angry spring winds picked up, we made an annual pilgrammage to a paradise in the middle of the desert. In a place where little water flows, Nutria Canyon is a welcome change of pace from the dry landscape that we usually enjoy. As the snow melts in the Zuni Mountains, the canyon fills with enough water to make swimming possible, although very cold. Luckily the warm New Mexican sunshine was there to warm our bones after our Zuni Mountain baptism.
This past fall, a group of friends did a weekend tour of some sites on the Navajo Nation in search of riding and scenery. For the first part of our trip we headed north to a landscape formation known as Snake Arch. Tucked into the foothills of the Chuska Mountains, the trail to get there was not much more than a sandy wash, and was well used by hikers. Although, I’m pretty sure we were some of the first mountain bikers on it ever.
With 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo on the horizon next month, I wanted to share last year’s edit of the event in Tucson, Arizona. Not only did I shoot photos, I also wrote a story with my take on the event. Truthfully I’m not sure if I’ll make it this year, but the cold New Mexican winter nights have got me thinking about something warmer.
Shooting person’s portrait is still one of my favorite things about being a photographer. Here’s a collection of recent portraits from the last several months.
I photographed the Friday launch of the Red Rock Balloon Rally from the golf course in Gallup this year. While not as spectacular as the Saturday launch from Red Rock Park, the Friday event is usually less crowded. This photo was my favorite from the day.
Walkers, runners, cyclists and horseback riders make their way towards Chinle, Arizona on Highway 191 one chilly fall morning in November. Travelers came from four directions (Nazlini, Cottonwood, Many Farms and Tsaile) as part an event put on by the Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project, held annually to raise diabetes awareness.
In the mountains, there’s nothing quite like that first snow of the year. Even if it’s not much, there something about the way the powder transforms the landscape, turning into a completely new playground to explore. When this year’s first snow hit, a group of friends and I hit the mountain, hiking along the tops of the ridges as the snow peppered our faces, and later heading towards the narrow canyons to duck under low hanging branches heavy with the fresh fall. November snow doesn’t last long in western New Mexico, but hopefully it’s a sign of more to come.
The students and staff at the Zuni Christian Mission School recently built and dedicated a new building. I spent a few hours one afternoon photographing the happenings at the school, and really enjoyed the way everything lined up in this frame.
This is Herman Plummer. He’s draining water from a hose while working at his ranch in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico. While the area he lives in is been blessed with an artesian well that has always provided abundant water for horses and livestock, Plummer said he’s seen a decrease in water levels in recent years. This image was part of a story on the lack of snowfall in the Chuska Mountains, seen here in the background, and the Southwest in general.
My favorite camera while mountain biking these days has been my iPhone. So small and light, I love it when I have the need to go light and fast on the bike. If you would like to follow me on Instagram, my user name is lookinatleddy
This is a feature photo I came across while through Wheatfields Lake on the Navajo Nation. This boy and his father were enjoying a hot summer day at a high-country lake near the Arizona/New Mexico border.
Modularity theme by Graph Paper Press
Subscribe to entries
Subscribe to comments
All content © 2013 by New Mexico Photographer Brian Leddy 712.899.7245
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy
lookinatleddy