A very cool scene that unfolded last weekend. Low clouds were above and threatening to rain. On the horizon, clouds hung low beyond the foothills of the Colorado Front Range. In between, a thin band of blue sky that was punctuated by the setting moon. Even on a cruddy weather day, we get some pretty cool scenes here in Colorado.
A foggy but very pretty start to my morning walk today
A bit chilly with temps below freezing so I was anxious for that sun to come up! While I waited, I took in a pretty scene at a local pond in Adams County, Colorado.
Bison herd on the Great Plains with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains behind
The bison were kind enough to set themselves up in a good spot to capture this shot that encapsulates one of the reasons I love this great state.
Colorado’s sheer variety of terrain provides for some stunning views from the quiet and remoteness of the plains in the east to the imposing mountains to the west. The latter half of winter was cold and snowy here as can be seen in this image.
The remnants of a blizzard and its snow dot the foreground while the mountains are covered in copious amounts of the white stuff. I love this place!
Trees and deer silhouetted by a Great Plains sunrise
Even when our sunrises appear to be boring, they can render some pretty cool scenes.
When I headed out the door in the pre-dawn hours this past Sunday, I noted that there weren’t any clouds. That typically means sunrise won’t amount to much.
That was somewhat true in that there weren’t any clouds in the sky to light ablaze but, as the sun approached the horizon, the amber colors lit things up close to the ground. In the distance, a stand of bare trees with deer grazing underneath made for a pretty nice scene.
Colorado hot air balloon flies high with Mount Meeker below
Jumping back to this series of images from October. My photo day had been going very poorly with nary a click of the shutter. I was about to give up and head for home when I came across this balloon flying across the Front Range.
A recent snow had capped the Rocky Mountains in white and it was an extraordinarily clear day. I spent more than an hour racing after the balloon grabbing dozens of images of it. Here, it had gained some altitude and below and slightly to the left, the monstrous 13,911 foot high Mount Meeker stood tall and proud.
Many folks think it is Longs Peak that they see from the Denver area and look toward Rocky Mountain National Park but, in fact, Meeker stands in front of Longs when viewed from the east.
Frozen, framed sunrise on the Great Plains
The results of the nasty cold we have seen in recent weeks are seen by the ice on the surface of this lake. Normally, by the third week of February, there would be a lot of open water here. This year, not so much.
One, small area was about the only spot that wasn’t iced over. Nevertheless, it made for a beautiful scene this morning and as always, I loved it out there. Those “flat lands” aren’t boring at all to me.
Happy birthday to the always amazing Yellowstone National Park
It was 147 years ago today that this place became the world’s first national park. From its landscapes to its geothermal features to the wildlife, it is nearly 3,500 square miles of the most beautiful country you could imagine.
I have memories of the park from when I was five years old up to two years ago when this image of the Lower Yellowstone Falls was taken.
Naturalist John Muir said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” That is especially true of this place.
Lone tree in black and white
A very pretty morning on the plains yesterday as our latest snowstorm moved out. Colors were subdued with the lingering clouds so I went to black and white for this one and am pleased with the result. This tree really stood out as the only feature on the snow-covered plains. Sometimes to stand out, you just need to stand apart.
A beautiful morning on the Colorado Front Range
If it looks like it was cold when this picture was taken, well, believe me it was. The sun hitting the Rocky Mountains over a frozen lake was gorgeous though and the cold couldn’t deter me. It was a very peaceful, calming scene and one of the fantastic views we enjoy here in the Centennial State. Beautiful blue skies with whispy clouds lie above. Below, the mountains with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak behind it to the bottom right.
A beautiful Colorado morning with a “corkscrew” cloud over the mountains
Well, I have no idea what it is called but that thin cloud across the middle brought to mind a corkscrew to me. 😉