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.
Outside Looking in the Valley of Fire State Park
An early morning view into the Valley of Fire State Park in southern Nevada. A cool time to get a panorama of the park from it's south-west corner.
Red Rock Formations in the Nevada Desert
Islands of red rock formations can be found around the Valley of Fire. Teig and I love finding and exploring them in the evening when there are no tourists around. It also makes for fun landscape photography.
The Castle at Capitol Reef
One of the wonderful National Parks found in the West. A majestic view of Capitol Reef from Panorama Point.
“Memories of the Bread Basket
Structures still remain on the great plains of eastern Colorado of the American farming families of the past. A lone decrepit structure in a field of golden grass whispers of a fertile productive time.
Peaceful Contemplation at Cottonwood Pass
Teig resting in an alpine meadow on a saunter along the ridges above Cottonwood Pass in central Colorado. We like to take periodic breaks from hiking and just absorb the beauty of the high Rocky Mountains. It helps us keep centered and sane in our hectic crazy lives.
Slot Canyon Falls on Willis Creek
A beautiful waterfall in Willis Creek Narrows. This location is a beauty within the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument of Utah.
Boreas Section House with Stars
The section house is located at the summit of Boreas Pass and in the late 1800s and early 1900s served as the main building for the Denver, South Pacific, and Pacific Railroad when it made its way over the pass. This area was the site of the highest narrow guage railroad in the United States. During the period between 1870 and 1920, a town of 150 people existed at Boreas Pass helping to maintain the railroad and the trains that passed by. The pass was formerly known as Breckenridge Pass in the 1860s.
Colorado Traildog and his Sidekick
Working our modeling poses above 13,000 feet. We are striking the "Rocky Mountain High" pose for this photo. It is tough to look this awesome after hiking to the summit of a Colorado Peak.
Winding Road in Valley of Fire
One of the main features in Valley of Fire is the road winding through the wonderful rock formations. This is the main road looking south into the heart of the park.
Peaceful Night Drive in the Nevada Desert
We had a nice night of exploring the desert a couple of hours west of Las Vegas. The desert at night is so calm and serene with the critters coming out of hiding to do their business because of the difficult conditions of the hot daytime hours. The glow of Las Vegas can still be seen this far away at night.
White Sandstone at Valley of Fire
Beautiful white sandstone distinctly contrasts with the red aztec sandstone at Valley of Fire in southern Nevada. The rich colors and textures make for a tasty treat for my eyes.
White Leading to Red
Beautiful white rock formations leading to Aztec Sandstone in the Valley of Fire. These formations were exposed where older rocks of Cambrian age (about 500 million years old) were pushed sideways on a thrust fault over younger rocks (Jurassic, about 160 million years old) of the Aztec Sandstone. The sandstone was originally laid down in a colossal, long-lived sandy desert much like today's Sahara. Before the area was a dry desert, it was an inland sea. The red color is from the presence of iron oxides in the sand.
Running to White Dome
Folks were hiking White Dome Loop in the Valley of Fire Park in southern Nevada. These kids were excited to see White Dome and were running down the sandstone formation leading their parents. I remember doing the same things when I was their age when my family visited national parks... I was always super excited. to tell the truth, I am still that way today.
The Dinosaurs Back
The beautiful red and white sandstone mixture in Valley of Fire Park in Nevada is awesome to witness in the golden hour. So many rock formations that wow the visitors. A desert landscape photographer's dream.