A view of Lake Dorothy State Park on the border of Colorado and New Mexico near sunset with a storm brewing to the west.
Shadows on Death Valley Sand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are at the northern end of the valley floor and are nearly surrounded by mountains on all sides. The primary source of the dune sands is probably the Cottonwood Mountains which lie to the north and northwest. The tiny grains of quartz and feldspar that form the sinuous sculptures that make up this dune field began as much larger pieces of solid rock. In between many of the dunes are stands of creosote bush on the sand and on dried mud, which used to cover this part of the valley before the dunes intruded.
Alpine Fireweed and Teig
Teig photobombing a landscape shot of Alpine Fireweeds next to the road at Boreas Pass above Breck in Colorado. I was setting up this nice evening shot of these purple flowers and Teig just walks up into the frame. I didn't really mind and I think he helps the composition. I would always put him in my landscape photographs but I am sure people are already overwhelmed with Teig in most of my photos.
Redstone in Pinto Valley Wilderness
Giant red rocks in the Pinto Valley Wilderness near Lake Meade in southern Nevada. This aerial view is looking down on some of the large formations in the valley which are frequented by rock climbers.
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.
The Castle at Capitol Reef
One of the wonderful National Parks found in the West. A majestic view of Capitol Reef from Panorama Point.
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.
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.
Traildog on Aztec Sandstone
Teig on a Sandstone outcrop in the Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada. This park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts... even pups.
The Cabins in Valley of Fire
These are "The Cabins" in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park. Three small rooms were built from the local sandstone in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), who did a lot of similar work in the parks and remote regions of the country during the Great Depression (“make work” projects, like trail and road construction). These cabins were used by travelers for camping stays in Valley of the Fire, but have been abandoned.
Valley of Fire Northern Vistas
The strong red sandstone formations in the Valley of Fire State Park in Southern Nevada. The Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, believed to be the remains of a huge 150,000 square mile desert which existed in this region from about 192 to 178 million years ago.
Brittlebrush in the Valley of Fire
Hairpin Turns on Berthoud Pass
A cool aerial photo of hairpin turns near the saddle of Berthoud Pass. Berthoud Pass is a scenic mountain drive through the Rocky Mountains, and is located directly on U.S. Highway 40, just north of the junction with I-70. This photo was taken from my drone on a late spring evening when traffic was moderate.
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.
Playing in Harney Peak Fire Tower Reservoir
The Harney Peak Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935 to 1938. Stones gathered from French Creek were used to construct the tower. All of the building materials were hauled by man and mule along the three mile trail to the summit of Harney Peak.
The lookout tower, dam, pump house and stairway were constructed upon the highpoint. The reservoir created by the dam supplied water to the living quarters which were located in the lower level of the Harney Peak Fire Tower. Harney Peak Fire Tower was staffed until 1965 by the U.S. Forest Service, and then for the following two years by Custer State Park. A watchful eye was placed across the surrounding Black Hills looking for smoke rising from a forest fire.
Lone Hereford in the Sangre De Cristos
A solitary Hereford cow was standing calm and relaxed in a sea of golden grass deep in the Sangre De Cristo Range of Northern New Mexico.
Serene Scene on Tiger Key
The calm photo as dark clouds work their way through the Gulf of Mexico from Tiger Key in Everglades National Park.It is rewarding to absorb the peaceful ambiance of the natural Florida landscape and not the large urban congestion to the north and east of the park.
Rays of Light on the Gulf of Mexico
The light was coming through the storm clouds casting rays on the Gulf of Mexico while a I rested on Tiger Key in Everglades National Park. It was a beautiful evening with a soft salty breeze coming off the ocean and cooling me on the silky white beach.
Grove of Mangrove Trees on Tiger Key
I love the different formations of mangrove trees in the Everglades National Park’s Keys. I couldn’t help but use them as focal subjects for my photographs. Coming from the Colorado Rockies, these swamp/marsh forests are super cool.