Holy moly we do get some stunning sunrises here in Colorado. Yesterday morning Mother Nature put on a very nice show. As the sun started to shed its light, you knew it was going to be a good one. Later phases lit up the entire sky but initially, I was most struck by the purples and reds hitting the clouds that looking like paintbrush strokes close to the horizon. Wow!
For all those empty place settings at the table this holiday season
I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery this past weekend to visit my dad and a few other of our nation’s heroes. He – and all of them – are sorely missed and the holidays aren’t quite the same without them.
Wreaths Across America and hundreds of volunteers place wreaths at thousands of graves at Fort Logan and other national cemeteries across the nation before Christmas each year. This very special program’s mission is to, “Remember our fallen U.S. veterans. Honor those who serve. Teach your children the value of freedom.”
The hallowed ground of these cemeteries are transformed into a beautiful and respectful scene, fitting for the holidays. For families like mine, who have loved ones interred there, it is a meaningful and emotional thing to see.
We sponsor the wreath for my dad’s site and some random others and next year, I would encourage you to do the same. Please, honor those who served and are no longer with us and say a prayer for them and their families during this blessed season.
Fire in the sky – and on the ice
An absolutely beautiful morning here on the Colorado plains. Things got started in fine fashion with a beautiful sunrise. My chosen spot was at a frozen pond that provided a nice reflection of the action in the sky. Above, the fire below then those cool, blue clouds.
It would appear winter is here
It would appear winter is here. 😉
Jackson Lake State Park in Colorado was almost entirely frozen over this morning. It was a “balmy” 3 degrees when I took this shot but, oh my, so beautiful and quiet. I just sat there on the rocks watching the sun rise over the horizon and taking it all in. I love the Great Plains!
Highway to Heaven or Beam Me Up, Scotty
Take your pick but I am WAY excited about this scene this morning – a rare sun pillar. I have only seen pictures of them and could not believe it when I saw this appearing east of Denver, Colorado this morning. I didn’t have time to seek out a better foreground but am not complaining.
If you’re interested in owning one of these images, see here and here.
What causes the phenomena? According to EarthSky.org, “Sun pillars or light pillars form when sunlight (or another bright light source) reflects off the surfaces of millions of falling ice crystals associated with thin, high-level clouds, for example, cirrostratus clouds. The ice crystals have roughly horizontal faces. They are falling through Earth’s atmosphere, rocking slightly from side to side.”
Sunrise colors the clouds as the moon sets
An absolutely gorgeous morning yesterday along the Colorado Front Range. While we enjoyed a quiet morning, our mountains were once again getting pounded by snow. There weren’t many clouds to the east where the sun was rising but to the west, the storm had settled in over the high country. The pastel colored clouds with the setting moon and even a couple of deer made for a nice scene.
Solitary reflections in black and white
Solitary reflections in black and white. Jumping back to almost exactly one year ago today. Thick fog had settled in on the St Vrain River in northern Colorado and spotting wildlife became pretty much impossible. It did however create some very cool scenes like this one, taken in St. Vrain State Park.
Bird’s eye view of island looks like an abstract
This isn’t a view you see very often! Taken from an altitude of 400 feet and looking straight down, this is a small island in a local open space near where I live.
Taken this past Sunday, I was looking to get a unique image and think this one qualifies. Those little white dots you see in the water are Canada Geese.
My drone will never be used to capture as many pics as my ‘real’ camera but it does have its uses and can create some pretty cool images.
Dawn’s first light on Mount Moran
I was looking for a different image from last year’s trip to Grand Teton National Park when I happened across this image I hadn’t shared before. Taken on June 15, 2017, I was up early looking to capture the sunrise at the famous Oxbow Bend.
Once the colors started to fade in the sky above, I began to look for different compositions and settled on this one, zoomed in on the 12,610 foot tall mountain. That fresh late winter / early spring snow was lit up brilliantly and the sky above really help make this a pretty neat picture.
Crepuscular rays light up the evening sky
If you want gorgeous sunsets, you will get a lot of bang for your buck out on Colorado’s eastern plains in the summer. More so than the higher elevations of the Centennial State, you will find yourself treated with a show. Such was the case on this evening back at the end of June at North Sterling State Park. A brief walk from our campsite gave us a clear view of the setting sun as the rays of light shined across the clouds. Just gorgeous!