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.
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.
Thor's Hammer in Bryce Canyon
Thor's Hammer, the left side of the photo, at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Thor's Hammer is a spectacular example of a hoodoo, which is sometimes referred to as a tent rock or fairy chimney. They form because of erosion processes and may be found in badland areas whenever relatively hard rock overlays softer more erodible rock, such as sandstone. Thors Hammer is one the Iconic hoodoos in Bryce Canyon and can be seen from Navajo Trail.
Bull between Bugles
This large bull Elk was in between bugles during autumn rutting season in Rocky Mountain National Park. What a wonderful experience for us to watch and listen.
Bull Elk Resting in Grass
A large bull elk relaxing on a late September morning in the high Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Moon over Badlands Rock
Catching the moon rise over one of the rock formations in Badlands National Park. It is exciting to get a photo of the moon as it rises above your point of interest.
Green Arroyos in Badlands
Badlands National Park in South Dakota has some green areas. One of those areas is in the arroyos in between the hills in the park. This vast badlands is broken by the lush green areas in these low lying locations that gather moisture and rain from the hills.
Green Arroyos in Badlands
Badlands Labradoodle in Black and White
Wondering the backcountry of Badlands National Park in South Dakota is an adventure. When I am in between landscape shoots I get shots of Teig wondering around the rock formations. He becomes my main model or subject when I need some inspiration. He is definitely my artistic muse.
Badlands Labradoodle in Black and White
Traildog in the Badlands
A sunny day to explore Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Teig squinting on a hill in the park as we explore the arid environment and search for the little treasures that come with exploring such a beautiful place.
Traildog in the Badlands
Alpine Avens, Aspen Daisies and Traildog
Adventuring the Rockies of central Colorado, Teig and I came across a beautiful alpine meadow and we had to stop and ponder the far off Mount Guyot and the valley below. This is our favorite place to be in the summer. Up above the trees you can see the peaks stretching off in the distance and the air is crisp and clean. The beauty fills the soul and the freedom to explore is fantastic.
Alpine Avens, Aspen Daisies and Traildog
Alpine Daisies on Glacier Peak
Hiking to the 12,000+ foot Summit of Glacier Peak I ran into a beautiful meadow of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers including Alpine Daisies near the top. I had to relax in the meadow and take some photographs. Glacier Peak is a moderate and gentle summit located near Georgia Pass in the southwestern region of Colorado’s Front Range. Stradling the Continental Divide, Glacier Peak surveys a lot of territory. It is archetypal of the summits in this region possessing a relaxed demeanor much like that of nearby Whale Peak. Glacier Peak is visible from US 285 near the small town of Jefferson; it rises as a “Squaretop” ridge on the northwestern mountainous boundary of South Park.
Alpine Daisies on Glacier Peak
Longhorns Grazing on Wyoming Grass
The couple of Texas Longhorn steers were grazing on grassland near Devils Tower National Monument in Northern Wyoming. It caught me by surprise to see them out on the prairie grassland mixing in with the American Bison.The Texas Longhorn was fashioned entirely by nature in North America. Stemming from ancestors that were the first cattle to set foot on American soil almost 500 years ago, they became the sound end product of "survival of the fittest". With the destruction of the buffalo following the Civil War, the Longhorns were rushed in to occupy the Great Plains, a vast empire of grass vacated by the buffalo. Cattlemen brought their breeding herds north to run on the rich grazing lands of western Nebraska, Wyoming, the Dakotas, and Montana. Thus, the Great Plains became stocked largely with these "bovine citizens" from the Southwest.
Longhorns Grazing on Wyoming Grass
Turkey on Badland's Trail
Hiking on the east side of Badlands National Park I crossed paths with this turkey. She was in no hurry and was not worried about me. So we hung out on the trail together for a bit. I really like turkeys and I am always stoked when I see them. They usually are very skittish but I guess in National Parks they are protected and more outgoing than just in the National Forest.
Turkey on Badland's Trail
Asserting Dominance
While exploring the area around Sage Creek in Badlands National Park we came across this large bull American Bison. He was a good 30+ yards from us but was showing typical signs of dominance and “I am the big boy on the block”. He was rolling in the grass and dusting up the area around him. He was grunting and dropping his head. I heeded his display and moved in the opposite direction. These guys are so interesting, massive and mesmerizing to see in the wild. I really enjoy just watching them do their thing. South Dakota has numerous wild herds and is a fantastic place to check them out. I am so very happy that we didn’t hunt them to extinction and have instead reintroduced them to the wild in our wildlife refuges and parks.
Asserting Dominance
Viewing Bryce Canyon Amphitheaters
On a beautiful fall morning in Bryce Canyon National Park. Taking a short hike up to Inspiration Point, I stopped on the way to capture this view of the Amphitheaters. Bryce Canyon is a mesmerizing location and even with the crowds an artist can find their inspiration. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks.
Viewing Bryce Canyon Amphitheaters
Bighorn Sheep in Zion
Bighorn Sheep on a steep incline on the east side of Zion National Park in Utah. These sheep are a big draw for park goers and with the beautiful landscape as a background can make a great photograph. Being a Coloradan and seeing these sheep often, this landscape inspires grand visions of what these animals can climb and survive on. I love the Bighorns and am always excited to see them thrive in the wild.
Bighorn Sheep in Zion