With fresh snow covering the plains and mountains a couple of weeks ago and a setting full wolf moon, the scene was a pleasant one. Yeah, it was cold, but so worth it.
Moonset above the snow-covered Rocky Mountains
Deer does under a stunning sunrise
The early morning show to the east was so gorgeous last Sunday it seemed like even the deer were taking notice. Leaving the house, I had a feeling it was going to be a nice sunrise so I hurried to my destination.
As luck would have it, three deer does were grazing at the top of the hill. The silhouettes of the deer and the trees provided some foreground interest and that backdrop… Well, what can I say. Just awesome!
The setting full wolf moon
A beautiful morning on the Colorado plains yesterday. Sunrise was stunning as you saw from my pic this AM and turning around and looking west, our only natural satellite was not to be outdone. The silhouetted trees provided a bit more interest.
Sunrise across a frozen pond
The early morning show yesterday morning didn’t get quite as impressive as I had hoped but it wasn’t too bad.
It was a typically cold morning with temps around 20 degrees so not too bad to be out there standing around, particularly with views like this. The horizon lit up beautifully and the clouds had a good bit of interest to them. Even above the orange, the feathery, wispy clouds looked pretty.
Snow and fog on the Colorado plains
You have seen pictures from me of this spot many times before. No matter the season, it virtually always looks cool and this morning was no different. A light snowfall overnight coated the landscape in white and fog settled in with sunrise. With virtually no color to work with, I went with a black and white conversion and that seemed to work well on what a cold and somewhat dreary scene.
Sun dog amid record-setting cold in Denver
Oops! Somehow I forgot to share this one.
Late last month, Colorado saw itself experiencing a deep freeze. On the morning of the 22nd, temperatures dipped to 15 degrees below zero with wind chills far below that – absolutely brutal cold. As the sun rose over the horizon that morning, a very cool sun dog appeared to the east. I missed the best of the show but was able to catch the tail end of it before it disappeared.
Sun dogs are caused by the refraction of light by ice crystals and appear 22 degrees to each side of the sun. I have had a few chances to grab pics of one, always on the coldest of mornings.
Video slideshow – Top Shots 2022: Landscapes
From the Great Plains and the Badlands to the height of the Rocky Mountains, my photo excursions have allowed me to view some stunning scenes. I hope you enjoy this peaceful look back at the natural beauty around us.
Fall foliage and fresh snow
Going back to October for this image taken along Webster Pass. You can be certain this same view would be a lot snowier and a lot bleaker right now.
It was cold but beautiful morning in the Colorado high country when I took this shot. The first widespread snow had coated the mountains above timberline and below, the aspen trees were resplendent in the fall gold.
This image was one of my favorites from that outing. I loved all the colors – the green, yellow, white and blue.
Twilight at a frozen lake on the Great Plains
Ah, just another morning in eastern Colorado with the mercury at well below freezing. The things I do to get pictures for you! 😉
I really should have setup my tripod for this shot so I could slow down the shutter speed and lower the ISO but, honestly, I just was not in the mood to stand out in that cold. I made a hasty exit from the warmth of my truck, ran down the shoreline, snapped some pics and then ran back to shelter. LOL!
Sunrise wasn’t going to amount to much due to the lack of clouds but the pre-show was pretty awesome with the blue and orange. I wish I could call it a “Denver Broncos sunrise” but, well, sigh, we just won’t go there. 🙁
As sunrise lights up the plains and Rocky Mountains, bison graze peacefully
Oh yes! This is Colorado! Such a gorgeous scene on Sunday morning.
The sun was coming above the horizon casting its warm glow across the landscape. In the foreground, the bison herd was at ease, grazing on the grasses of the Great Plains. In the distance, the Flatirons near Boulder and beyond that, the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.
I snapped the requisite pictures and then just sat, soaking in the scene and being grateful to witness it.
