Lone Pronghorn in the Utah Sage

Exploring the backcountry of Northwest Utah you find a plethora of wildlife. Pronghorn Antelope are common in the area and I came across this guy alone in a remote valley near village of Lucin. I loved the vision of the sage, grass and him just standing there checking me out. I would say we had mutual interest in each other.

Traildog Exploring Sand Wash Basin

Sand Wash Basin is located 45 miles west of Craig, Colorado. A herd of approximately 450 wild horses freely roam this area and are protected by the BLM. Teig was up on a point, as night approached, searching the horizon for them as a western storm was coming towards us. A quick retreat to our camp was in short order.

Take Off of a Swainson's Hawk

Traveling the 4x4 roads north of the Great Salt Lake in Utah is an adventure. You come across a plethora of wild birds and critters. I photographed this hawk who sat on a fence post watching me create some landscape photographs of the lake. When I turned my attention to him, he decided that the interest had dissipated and he was “out here”. Made for a good “exit” photograph

Black-capped Chickadee and Snowflakes

This Chickadee was braving the snowflakes during a snowstorm at RedRocks Park outside of Morrison Colorado. FYI: The song of the Black-capped Chickadee is one of the most complex vocalizations of all animals, acting as a contact call, an alarm call, to identify an individual, or to indicate recognition of a particular flock

Fishing with the Geese

A young boy having some fun at Denver’s City park fishing in Ferril Lake. The Geese were enjoying the park too and were strolling nearby and ambivalent to the boy. There are flocks of geese that make the park home all summer long.

Fishing with the Geese

Traildog at Kinston Peak Snow Field

A day of hiking to Kingston Peak, Teig and I stopped over at the snow field below the summit to play a bit. He loves the snow and there was abundant amounts on this summer day in the Front Range mountains of Colorado.

Traildog at Kinston Peak Snow Field

Traildog in Mountain Fog

Teig and I were exploring the tree line below Kingston Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. The low clouds were moving up the slope to us and soon engulfed the ridge in it’s cool mist. The experience was calm and pleasant. I do love changes in weather when you are hiking in the mountains.

Traildog in Mountain Fog

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 at Historic 2-Bar Ranch

On a trip through Northwest Colorado we decided to explore Browns Park Wildlife Refuge on the Green River. We were visiting the Historic Ladore Schoolhouse and read some literature about the 2-Bar Ranch which was a mile hike from the schoolhouse. Teig and I decided to do quick jaunt over to the ranch and were thrilled to see how cool the ghost ranch was when we arrived. I had to get a shot of Teig near the corrals. I could imagine the “Old West” as we explored the ranch. A must see if you are in Browns Park.

Traildog at Historic 2-Bar Ranch

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

Lone Wild Mustang at Preserve

A lone mustang at the Sand Wash Wild Mustang Preserve in Northwestern Colorado. This horse was very calm and relaxed before dawn when I came across him in the preserve. He let me photograph him and even stood erect  and tall when I did.

Lone Wild Mustang at Preserve

Traildog on Chief Mountain

Traildog Teig on the Summit of Chief Mountain outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado. It was stormy morning with snow flurries on the way up to the peak at 11,709 feet above sea level. Snow drifts crossed most of the trail but the June morning was comfortable enough to wear a short sleeved shirt most of the way. The high peaks of Mount Evans area of the Rocky Mountains can be seen in the background.

Traildog on Chief Mountain

Lone Bison Grazing before Devils Tower

Devil’s Tower is a symbolic American western icon. It’s cut rock faces have lived in rock climbers dreams as well as native american folklore. This National Monument should be considered on any traveler’s list if they intend to explore the American Mountain West. It sits in Northwest Wyoming and a hiker could spend an entire day hiking around the base and nearby area. Catching the grazing bison in the early morning excited me and I really dig this photograph.

Lone Bison Grazing before Devils Tower

Bluebird on Pine Branch

When I am out exploring, I remind myself to look up periodically to change my perspective. Especially with trees around you can find fun scenes and wildlife enjoying the high life. On this day in the Colorado Front Range, I saw a small bluebird perched on a pine branch and it caught my fancy. Simple scenes draw my attention and I love how calm he was enjoying the calm Colorado late afternoon

Bluebird on Pine Branch

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

Moose at Maroon Lake

A moose was feeding at Maroon Lake below iconic Maroon Bells outside of Aspen Colorado on a crisp morning. He became a bit agitated and let me know that he did not want me any closer than 50 yards and I respectfully complied. No chance I was going to get into a tussle with this big boy!

Moose at Maroon Lake

Labradoodle in Sea of Yellow Alpine Flowers

Teig found a meadow of yellow Aspen Sunflower Flowers just off the trail to French Pass in the Colorado Rockies. Aspen Sunflower is a member of the Sunflower Family. The plant typically grows in meadows and clearings in pine forests at elevations between 5000 - 10000 feet. Teig blends in with this meadow and was almost ready to take snooze in the sunflowers.

Labradoodle in Sea of Yellow Alpine Flowers

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