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.
Rainbow following a Denver area thunderstorm

Unfortunately the rain missed me but after the storm passed, I put the drone up to have a look at the rainbow. Very cool!
Wintertime rainbow in the Colorado foothills

I shared a different version of this same scene on Christmas Eve, the same day the images were taken. But, due to the holiday, I don’t think many folks saw it and I feel it is worthy of another look. Sunrise along the Front Range saw some rain showers, an unusual thing to experience at the height of winter.
As I drove around looking for a worthy critter to photograph, I came across this scene. Dark, storm clouds were hovering over the foothills and a gorgeous rainbow had materialized. Throw in the farm and horses down below and the sunlight streaming on the hills, it was pretty darned cool.
Christmas Eve rainbow makes for a beautiful scene

Definitely not your typical Christmas in Colorado scene but pretty darned neat nevertheless.
It has been extraordinarily dry and warm on the Front Range thus far this season and a white Christmas is not to be. On my photo drive yesterday, as I approached the foothills, rain showers were brewing and the rising sun was perfectly illuminating the landscape and creating a beautiful rainbow.
Throw in the rural farm scene with a few horses below and dramatic clouds above and you have a pretty nice scene – even if it is missing the usual snow.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbows on St Patrick’s Day

Well, I don’t have any pics of leprechauns or any images that are overly green and I have never been to Ireland so here is the next best thing.
Taken back in August in Arapaho National Forest, I have actually shared a similar shot of this scene previously. This one, in portrait orientation, does a nice job showing off the sky above.
We were hanging out at camp and after the evening thunderstorms passed, they put on a beautiful show to the east. The sky was dramatic, lit up nicely by the sun behind us. The double rainbow, well, that was over the top awesome just absolutely fantastic to watch.
Double rainbow over the Colorado high country

I shared a preview of this pic last week on social media showing my daughter and I enjoying the view – and the reason we interrupted dinner. 😉 Here is the final result of what we were watching.
A passing thunderstorm brought a quick shower that intensified as it went past us. Behind us, the sun was shining helping to create a double rainbow with dramatic skies of the storm. Truly a beautiful scene!
Video: Top Shots 2019 – Alaska
By far my ‘photo excursion of the year’. We headed north to our nation’s 49th state and spent two weeks exploring this amazing place.
The sheer size of Alaska and our desire to not rush through things meant we limited our travels but that didn’t limit the photographic opportunities. We focused on three main areas: Denali National Park, Seward with Kenai Fjords National Park and Homer with Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Through them all, the scenery was stunning, the wildlife just amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime and one I will treasure forever. Here is a look at my favorite pics from our trip to the northern frontier.
Resurrection Bay rainbow

What a great way to end a fantastic day on the water!
We were returning to Seward, Alaska after eight hours or so touring Kenai Fjords National Park. A quick rain shower chased us inside but then I looked out and saw this incredibly colorful and dramatic display.
Rain wasn’t going to stop me from getting a pic of that! I grabbed my camera, ran out onto the deck and started clicking. My images really don’t do it justice either. The rainbow was one of the most bright I have ever seen.
Just extraordinary!
Rainbow caps off the season’s camping
A nice little scene following an afternoon thunderstorm at our campsite in Estes Park, Colorado this past Friday. In the wake of the storm, the sun reappeared to the west and to the east a good-looking rainbow appeared. This weekend pretty much puts a wrap on our camping season which is always a bit of a bummer. We will be anxiously awaiting that first trip of the spring! Only six months to go or so. 😉


Short but brilliant rainbow illuminates the Great Plains’ horizon
I have said it repeatedly and I will say it again: the plains of Colorado may be relatively flat but I will put the sights found there up against those of the higher terrain of the state any day of the week. This past Friday evening was another perfect example.
Thunderstorms passed nearby where we were camping and once past, the scene that unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary. Beautiful blue skies above with dramatic storm clouds below were punctuated by one of the brightest rainbows I have ever seen in my life. The multi-colored stream was not very tall but it was very wide and very bright.
My pictures of it truly don’t do it justice – it was nothing short of extraordinary.
