A snow storm hit the Sandia Mountains outside of Albuquerque New Mexico and Teig and I went out to explore Elena Gallegos Open Space. The Tree Cholla Cacti were so striking in the snow especially with their bright yellow fruit. It was surreal to see this landscape and the cacti in deep snow.
Winter's Light on Front Range Foothills
Beautiful setting sun light on the foothills near Chatfield State Park in southern Denver. A winter’s chill in the crisp air but the warm sun felt good before night falls on Colorado.
Bull Elk in Tall Grass
Yeoman Park Pond in the Colorado Rockies
A beautiful view of a beaver pond on an early morning hike through Yeoman Park in the Colorado Rockies. The Reflections and autumn color caught my attention in the crisp still mountain air.
Autumn Color on East Brush Creek
Beautiful color on East Brush Creek in Colorado's Sylvan State Park. The falls were flowing well and the location was super peaceful to sit and contemplate nature while listening to the waterfalls.
Aspen Scars
Some interesting scars on an aspen tree off of the Burning Bear trail. They appear to be bear claw marks probably from a bear climbing the tree. I find these scars so interesting and can hint to a story from the past. It is fun to imagine the bear climbing the tree and hypothesize why he was doing it.
Waterfall on Lake Fork Creek
Autumn is a beautiful time to be in the Colorado Front Range. Sauntering up to Gibson Lake along Lake Fork Creek we came across numerous beautiful waterfalls in the dappled light of the forest. This fall was so nice in the shade that we had to stop and eat lunch next to it and enjoy the cool mist.
Shadows on Death Valley Sand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are at the northern end of the valley floor and are nearly surrounded by mountains on all sides. The primary source of the dune sands is probably the Cottonwood Mountains which lie to the north and northwest. The tiny grains of quartz and feldspar that form the sinuous sculptures that make up this dune field began as much larger pieces of solid rock. In between many of the dunes are stands of creosote bush on the sand and on dried mud, which used to cover this part of the valley before the dunes intruded.
Cascading Water on Mills Creek
Mills Creek during the peak summer color in the Colorado Rockies outside of Idaho Springs. We hiked to Bill Moore Lake and did some exploring of the area and found that the mountain flowers were blooming next to the creek and this little waterfall. It was a perfect location for lunch and some tranquility.
Marmot in Yellow Meadow
A marmot was playing amongst the large boulders off of the Arapaho Glaciers Trail in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado.
Mill Creek Afternoon
Enjoying the beautiful Rocky Mountain afternoon sitting next to this little waterfall on Mill Creek above Bill Moore Lake. The sounds of the cascading waterfall and the colors of flowers enticed me to sit and just meditate before sauntering further on the trail.
Sunny Morning at Mount Guyot
A bright sunny morning with Alpine Sunflowers at Mount Guyot. A nice view to start sauntering to Glacier Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado.
Three Island Creek Waterfall
Waterfalls don't have to be massive to be beautiful. Finding smaller falls on a creek can be just as rewarding and even better to sit next to and daydream. This was a very nice one on Three Island Creek outside of Steamboat Colorado.
Waking the Dragon
One can find some interesting locations while exploring the American West. I was resting in front of this phenomenal rock formation outside of the Valley of Fire allowing my imagination to run free. I stared deeply at the formation and began creating the story... an enormous curled up dragon was waking up from his deep slumber. He was fuming smoke as he was coming back to life before stretching out his wings and heading out for his nightly adventures… I love creating stories and seeing what is not apparent in nature's beautiful forms. If you are a creative and won’t let your imagination loose to roam, how will you create something new and wonderful?
Marmot Sunning Himself on Granite
A lone marmot enjoying the sunny day on a granite rock. He was not too concerned with Teig and I hiking on the trail to Arapaho Glaciers in the Colorado Rockies.
Rocky Mountain Cove in Rainbow Lakes
Teig at the shoreline of one of Rainbow Lakes near Nederland Colorado. I think he was wondering what I was taking a photo of? I did like the reflections in the water and his awesome mug in the photo.
Rocky Mountain Stream into Rainbow Lake
A tranquil evening relaxing at Rainbow Lakes high in the Colorado Rockies. These lakes are a popular destination for casual hikers that don’t want to saunter too far on the trail. There are several lakes in the area. We were lucky that we were there late in the evening and no other folks were around. It was perfect and serene.
Colorado Mines Peak above Berthoud Pass
Summer hiking to Mount Flora in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado affords enthusiasts fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. You rise above Colorado Mines Peak with its Electronic Site and radio towers to see Red Mountain and Jones Pass in the distance. This is a very popular trail because it allows the hikers such fantastic views.
Rogers Pass Trail to James Peak
Summertime saunter up to James Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. This route is up the west side to Rogers Pass and then up the north face of the peak. The trail can be seen to the pass.
Teig on the Continental Divide Trail
A nice day for a hike in the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. This section of the continental Divide Trail near Berthoud Pass is fantastic in July with snowfields still present and wildflowers blooming. Definitely worth the trip.