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
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.
Merry Christmas from Colorado!
A beautiful scene appropriately captured yesterday on Christmas Eve. The sun was lighting up the plains and farm beautifully. In the background, the snow covered Rocky Mountains with Mount Meeker dominating. Above that, clouds shrouded some of the mountaintops while a wave cloud was above. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May you and yours enjoy all of the blessings that our Lord was given unto us for on this day.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
~ Luke 2:11
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.
The best thing I saw in Colorado yesterday was…
The best thing I saw in Colorado yesterday was… Colorado itself – above and below.
My morning photo excursion was not going well. I had covered a lot of miles and spent a lot of time to find nothing, it was 8:30am and I had not clicked the shutter once and that is bad. As I made a stop to look for critters, I looked to the south and saw some hot air balloons in the sky.
It had been a few years since I had a quality photo session with the famous Colorado balloon so I raced south to catch it. While I took pics of the other balloons too, this one, of course, stole the show, particularly when it descended and was in front of those gorgeous, snow-capped Rocky Mountains.
We’re lucky to live in a place where scenes like this are pretty routine. I do my best not to take it for granted.
The Mile High City looking small from 35 miles away and two miles higher
Kind of a fun, accidental shot. View this image full screen and look close.
You will see the skyscrapers of downtown Denver, Colorado standing tall above the immediately surrounding terrain. Downtown is, however, dwarfed by the mountains to the west where you are viewing this from.
Taken not long after sunrise on Mount Evans in mid-August, I was trying to capture the amber colors in the sky and the silhouetted mountains with the expansive Great Plains in the distance.
After taking the picture, I previewed it and thought the result was pretty darned cool but had forgotten about it until recently when sorting through pics for my end of year photo projects. Definitely a fun shot and worth sharing!
Winter above, fall in the valley
A typically beautiful fall scene in the Colorado high country. Taken on Guanella Pass a couple of weeks ago, it was gorgeous – and chilly. Near and above timberline, a light snow covered the landscape in white. Down below, it was much warmer and drier.
Here, you’re near the summit of the 11,670 foot high pass and looking east northeast. The winding road shows you the way down and in the valley, near Georgetown, you see the aspen are ablaze in the yellows of fall. Above, that always beautiful, blue Colorado sky with some cool clouds to add interest.
Cool clouds at first light in Colorado’s high country
This camping trip to 10,000 feet two weekends ago was a disappointment in terms of wildlife sightings. It was however, a winner in terms of the views afforded, particularly at dawn. The winds were howling pretty good which is unusual for early in the morning and a chill was definitely in the air. In the end it was worth it but I was thankful to be close to camp with hot coffee awaiting.
Smoky mountain sunrise
Thus far this summer, Colorado has managed to escape any significant wildfires. However, smoke from blazes burning in neighboring states has occasionally intruded on our normally blue skies. Such was the case last weekend when smoke from fires in Montana intruded. Certainly the cause of the smoke is not welcome but it does make for some nice sunrises and sunsets, like this early morning capture.
Golden sunflowers and the Mile High City
This sunflower field is absolutely massive and its location affords some fun, different views. While it was, unfortunately, a bit hazy on the morning this was taken, it was way cool to be able to get those blooming sunflowers in the foreground and Denver, Colorado in the background. Oh, yeah, there is also those Rocky Mountains in there too. 😉
I do count myself as privileged to have grown up here and have lived in this city most of my life. Historically, Denver was called the Queen City of the Plains. Both it, and the more common Mile High City nickname, seem quite appropriate.
