This was the other photographer on Mount Evans that evening trying to capture the fantastic light after sunset. It was fun being the only 2 souls on the summit just as dark was descending over this Colorado fourteener.

New Mexico Cowboys riding on the White Sands Dunes inside the National Monument.

A closer look at the Taos Pueblo Homes.

An elderly couple traveling the Narrows on the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park. The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon and one of the world's best slot canyon hikes. Here, the majestic walls of the main canyon close in to form a tall and narrow canyon with beautiful dark corners and the Virgin River flowing around you. With beautiful flowing water and barely any direct sunlight reaching the bottom, this is the slot canyon that all other slot canyons are compared to. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide. It is a popular hike in the park and when I did it was just after a few rainstorms and there was significant flow and water in the stream. I could not see the stream bed because of the red muddy nature and stumbled into some deep pools. The walking sticks this couple had is a very good idea.

got to Participate in the 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s Special Shapes Glowdeo. This event happens after dark when the fire up the hot air balloons and keep them tethered to the ground. It is beyond beautiful and very special event. One of my personal favorites this year was the beagle balloon… reminded me of my puppy Teig.

A cool hike in South Dakota’s Black Hills is to Black Elk Peak, previously known as Harney Peak.The Black Hills of South Dakota Region is speckled with grand monuments, forested hillsides, rolling plains, abundant wildlife and granite spirals. The highest point, once Harney Peak and now Black Elk Peak, therefore provides a scenic view that captures nearly all of the region and reaches into four states. The historic fire lookout tower built upon the remote summit remains as an abandoned shell...The Harney Peak Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps finished in 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. The comforts of electricity, flush toilets, and a central heating system were incorporated into the remote Harney Peak Fire Lookout Tower.The summit of Harney Peak with the commanding view of the Black Hills was first used in 1911 as a location to watch for forest fires. The stone fire tower constructed by the CCC was specifically engineered for the granite summit.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. Airplanes, helicopters and other fire towers throughout the Black Hills National Forest, resulted in the Harney Peak Fire Tower no longer being staffed after 1967.Providing excellent panoramic views of the surrounding pine covered landscape, the Harney Peak Fire Lookout Tower remains at the summit, and is open to those who hike the Harney Peak trail to the summit. The summit and Harney Peak F

The 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is special no matter your age. An older gentleman shows his fascination at the colors and flames at the evening Special Shapes Glowdeo. I saw the expression in the older folks as well as the little kids.

A farewell photo of beautiful Devils Tower in the early morning light. photo of beautiful Devils Tower in the early morning light.

Forest Road #186 in the San Isabel National Forest in central Colorado during the peak aspen colors of autumn.

On a beautiful fall morning in Bryce Canyon National Park. Taking a short hike up to Inspiration Point, I stopped on the way to capture this view of the Amphitheaters. Bryce Canyon is a mesmerizing location and even with the crowds an artist can find their inspiration. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks

The 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a feast for photographers. I attended the special shapes Glowdeo on a thursday evening of the fiesta. Tens of thousands showed up to witness this colorful event and everyone was taking photographs. Some were using phones and others were using cameras but all were having a fantastic evening capture moments.

A bighorn sheep on the Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park. She was taking her time crossing the highway following other sheep as the tourist pulled off the road to get their snapshots.

The 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was a wonderful experience. On this evening the special shape hot air balloons were tethered to the ground and then lit up in towering colors of lights. The fabrics were rich and the flames from the propane heaters were dazzling. This evening is one of the quintessential moments of the fiesta.

Giant stalagtites in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Southeast New Mexico.

A very cool museum from the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Kidd. If you are ever in Baton Rouge LA, check this ship out on the Mississippi River.

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