New Mexico Places

Very Large Array.  The VLA is a very well known, yet little-visited New Mexico site.  It does AMAZING research, staring into the depths of the universe.  It was featured prominently in the movie “Contact.”  Stop in at the visitor center to learn more about the site.  This is a great place to photograph the dishes against the night sky.  ADVICE: Take your lunch and take your time.  There are no services near the telescope.  The dishes move on rails, depending on what they are looking for and at.  So don’t expect them to always be at the same locations.

Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Tracks.  This is really more a fascinating quick hike than it is a photography destination.  The dinosaur tracks are the main attraction, at the end of a short hike.  They are easy to photograph, but they are not situated against a compelling backdrop.  The lake is a reservoir, and not a photogenic one at that.  Still, if you happen to be in the area, it is well worth the short hike.  This would be a great mid-day site to visit between better locations for sunrise and sunset.

Catwalk Recreation Trail.  This site in western New Mexico was originally an old mining trail through a narrow slot canyon, with a rapidly flowing stream.  To get through the canyon, miners built a wooden elevated walkway.  After that catwalk was destroyed in a flood, a metal structure was constructed to replace it.  The trail to the catwalk is short and mostly flat.  It is well maintained and easily accessible.  The catwalk itself is metal, and follows the canyon wall approximately 20-30 feet above the creek.  The floor of the catwalk is a grate, as opposed to solid planking.  If your dog has big feet, or is accustomated to walking on grates, then they will be fine.  However, it is probably not a great trail for smaller dogs.  Also, if heights give you the willies, then give this a miss.  From a photography perspective, lighting is key.  The canyon walls are bright, so they will reflect harsh sunlights, and you will have areas of dark and bright in the same shot.  Dynamic range here is a serious challenge.  Aim for overcast days or sunrise/sunset, though you may need a tripod in those conditions.  This is a challenging photo location, but still a GREAT place to visit.  The trail extends beyond the catwalk, following the creek up the canyon, but I have not traversed that trail and cannot speak to its appeal.  Note: This site could be included in the Beautiful Places category, but I feel it is more a place to visit than to photograph.  I could be wrong.