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.
Joshua Tree beneath Rugged Mountain Range
The beauty of a Joshua Tree on the desert floor underneath the rugged Mountains in Southwestern Utah.
Joshua Trees in the American Desert
In the southwestern corner of Utah is a not very well known forest of Joshua Trees. The Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark is the location of this forest and stretches out for miles. Sauntering in this valley you can see how special this area is with the plethora of trees that cover the basin between the desert mountains. Each of these trees is a work of art and this photographer found a multitude of compositions worthy of documentation through photography.
Joshua Tree in Utah Basin
Numerous interesting Joshua trees can be found while exploring the desert basin in Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. This unique location in southwestern Utah is a gem for photographers and adventures wanting to capture some of the American desert experience. It is awesome to be here in the winter months when the normal high temperatures hover around 70 degrees fahrenheit.
Lone Joshua Tree in Utah Desert
Late morning view in south-western Utah's Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark. Joshua trees range from here to the Mojave desert in southern California. It is fun to be able to saunter around this beautiful area in late December.
Front Range Mountains from High Line Canal
What a beautiful view of the Colorado Rockies from the High Line Canal Trail in Englewood. As a Coloradoan, I sometimes take these gorgeous views for granted. This location is in the heart of our metropolis on an urban trail that gets well used by the city folk. Even though this trail is quite crowded in the summer it has fairly light use in the winter months and is great to capture a bit of nature in the big city.
Lone Winter Leaf
There was still some color on leaves when winter came to the High Line Canal Trail in Englewood Colorado a suburb of Denver. It is fun to find little gems like this lone leaf while sauntering a heavily used urban trail. Sometimes you just have to stop and enjoy the light.
Hawk Eyes on Me
A Cooper’s hawk up in a tree watching Teig and I walking along Kountz Lake at Belmar Park in Lakewood Colorado.
Ferns in Rock Wall
Teig and I found this beautiful granite rock wall in heavy shadow sauntering up Three Mile Creek in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Ferns were growing out of the cracks and it looked uber cool to me.
Rustic Cabin in Sylvan Valley
Sylvan means "a peaceful, wooded place" and this scene exemplifies that phrase. Teig and I spent a weekend exploring this area west of Vail Colorado and was pleasantly surprised at it's quaint beauty. Steep valleys and high peaks with aspen groves, lodgepole pine and Douglas fir forests on moist slopes with Ponderosa pines and junipers found on drier slopes.
Pond with Fall Color on Three Mile Creek
Teig and I stopped off at a little beaver pond on Three Mile Creek on our way back to the trailhead in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Teig was being his typical attentive self and was searching for trout that may be rising for food. I think he would have been a serious fly-fisherman if he was homosapien.
Autumn Leaves in Three Mile Creek
As the season changes in the Rocky Mountains the streams are littered with beautiful gold and orange leaves from the shedding aspens. I was sitting next to Three Mile Creek in the Mount Evans Wilderness meditating with my thoughts and absorbing the calm soft colors in this splendid little creek. I believe these moments are required to keep my sanity in this modern hectic life.
Warm Fall Colors Near Buena Vista
The warm sensation one feels when they approach a colorful stand of Colorado autumn aspens.
Vacant Raptor Nest in Baggot Rocks
A very large raptor nest sit upon a large rock formation near Encampment Wyoming. Baggot Rocks is a large grouping of rocks next to the Encampment River and has a beautiful orange color when the rays of the late summer summer sun sets to the west.
Lake Marie
Lake Marie sits at the base of Medicine Bow peak in southern Wyoming. Sun was setting on the southern edge of the peak and the winds were kicking up advancing the waves on this beautiful lake. The contrast of the warm sun and the chilly shade was welcomed after a hike to the summit of the peak.
Colorado Autumn Colors
September in Colorado's Rocky Mountains is a vibrant display of autumn's colors. The sides of mountains can be a gorgeous palette of warm reds, bright golds and subdued greens against a deep blue sky. We are definitely blessed to witness this wonderful explosion of nature best colors.
Black Powder Pass Colorado
Black Powder Pass sits above Boreas Pass near Breckenridge Colorado. You must hike to get to this pass from either the French Creek from the north or from Boreas Pass on the south. Either way, you will be treated with gorgeous Rocky Mountain views on all sides.
Quality Time on Medicine Bow Peak
What better quality time than relaxing on the summit of Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range of Wyoming? I bet this couple has a very strong relationship since they worked together to reach the highest point in the Snowy Range!
Morning Sunrise on Snowy Range Lake
Teig and I watched the sunrise from South Twin Lake in the Snowy Range of Southern Wyoming. Life is so good when I can watch the beauty in nature with this guy. I relish these moments!