Teig resting in a field of snow leftover from the winter snows above Parshall Colorado. We had a fun day exploring the hills and ridges with the Colorado River flowing through the valley below. My brother was flyfishing but we decided we needed to stretch our legs and climb a few of the hills and get some fantastic views in this area.
Icicles in Bear Creek
Many of the plants next to Bear Creek in Colorado freeze in winter. These branches look fascinating with the thick ice and light shining through them.
Pair of Snow Geese in Flight
A pair of beautiful white snow geese flying overhead at the Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico.
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.
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.
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.
Resting Off Trail in the Dappled Light
Teig resting on our way down from Whitney Lake in Colorado's Holy Cross Wilderness. We were next to the creek taking a rest from our saunter to the lake and back. These moments are some of my favorites because we feel a bit tired and are content with just experiencing nature.
Traildog in Williams Fork River
Springtime on the Williams Fork River near the confluence with the Colorado River. Teig was enjoying the cool afternoon playing in the river.
Moon Powering Up
A near full moon was rising into the sky while I was on the top of South Table Mountain outside of Golden, Colorado. I captured it right above the one of huge power line towers that cross the mesa.
Joshua Trees on Mojave Desert Floor
Cool Joshua Trees covering Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Yucca brevifolia is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. It is tree-like in habit, which is reflected in its common names: Joshua tree, yucca palm, tree yucca, and palm tree yucca. The name "Joshua tree" is commonly said to have been given by a group of Mormon settlers crossing the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century: The tree's role in guiding them through the desert combined with its unique shape reminded them of a biblical story in which Joshua keeps his hands reached out for an extended period of time to guide the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan.
Joshua Tree and Tabeau Peak
A beautiful Joshua Tree with Tabeau Peak in the background at Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark in south western Utah.
Barbed Wire Fence on Tabeau Peak
Ullrgrass Volunteers Warming Up
A pair of UllrGrass Volunteers were warming up at one of the fire towers near the entry gate. There were several of these fire towers around the festival to warm the festivarians up on this chilly January evening. Volunteers help with the festival and get to enjoy the music and fun when they are off shift.
Bisti Badland Rock Field
There are numerous rock fields to explore at Bisti Badlands in New Mexico. We came across this one and loved these twisted unique rocks in a basin. Sauntering in this surreal landscape is uber fun and fulfilling.
Traildog and Blooming Summer Succulents
Teig and I were hiking on South Table Mountain when all the early summer flowers were in bloom. I got this shot of him behind some gorgeous Yucca blooms which are amazing on the mountain outside of Golden Colorado.
James Peak and the Alpine Lake
Teig checking out the snow and James Peak Lake from a ridge in Colorado's James Peak Wilderness. We hiked Kingston Peak on this day and enjoyed the early summer conditions with the snow covering much of the alpine terrain.
Colorado Rocky Mountain Goat on Mount Democrat
On our way to the summit of Mount Democrat (14,155 ft), we met this guy hanging out in the rocks checking out the hikers. It is always fun to run into these goats above treeline on the way to the summit of a fourteener. Quick Fact: they are not a native species to Colorado and are descendants of transplants from the Rockies north of Colorado for game hunters in the 1940's.
Saint Thomas the Apostle Church
This church, built in 1935, replacing an older one that burned in 1860. The church anchors the main plaza of Abiquiu, New Mexico. Abiquiú means "wild choke cherry place" in the Tewa language. The community is also called Santo Tomas de Abiquiú and the Pueblo of Santo Tomas de Abiquiú.
Ruin Buoy on Great Salt Lake Shore
We were exploring the shore on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake and came upon this historic metal buoy. It was fun seeing the past on display at this beach.This is why we get off the trail and explore a location when traveling across the American West.
Water Spouts on Mountain Stream
St. Louis Creek in Fraser Experimental Forest outside of Winter Park Colorado. I found this cool waterscape a ways up the old road which is now used as a trail for hikers and mountain bikers to ascend the mountains to St. Louis Lake. I love the water spouts shooting out of the corrugated pipe.