Two Miles High

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:33:00.001-07:00

I love New Year's Day with its endless potential all stretched out before us like a fresh blanket of snow, just waiting for our footsteps to fill it in. We can plod through it, one step at a time, as though it were a drudgery, our heads down, never seeing the horizon beyond, or we can go forth lightly and easily, stopping along the way to make snow angels or snowmen or ice castles or anything else our imaginations can dream up, all the while with our eyes on the distant sky, the final destination, the goal, the prize; whatever that may be for each of us.

May your journey through 2012 be as light and easy as possible.

Mountain Top Christmas Tree

2011-12-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

A Christmas tree burns brightly on a moonlit
mountain top, bringing cheer to all below.

The people who live on the other side of the mountain from us always have a beautiful Christmas tree lit up for the season. It stands as a bright beacon all across the valley and we are lucky enough to be able to see it from our bedroom window.

Conifer Christmas Parade 2011

2011-12-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

The annual Conifer Christmas Parade is one of the highlights of the year and last Saturday's event was no exception. Despite the 10-degree temperature and light snow, it seemed as though the entire town turned out to witness the spectacle. Below is a slideshow of this year's highlights. Until I redesign this site and widen the template, you'll have to view a larger version here.

Click on the music player below the slideshow for some holiday spirit!

view a larger version here

Horses are always a big part of the parade.

Light the Lights

2011-11-25T17:38:00.001-07:00

Denver's City and County
Building Springs to Light

The holiday season in the city is always special and tonight marks one of the highlights of the season in Denver: The lighting of the City and County Building.

In 2009, the city replaced the old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which last more than six times longer.

Denver's City and County building, all lit up for the holidays.

For those of you in the area, the lights can be viewed through January 22nd from 5:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. at the city and county building on Bannock Street between 13th and 14th streets.

According to Yahoo Travel, Denver ranks 4th in top cities for Holiday lights.

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Most Haunted Hotel in America

2011-10-31T11:35:00.001-06:00

A Scary Treat for You on Halloween:

Adventures at the Stanley Hotel

According to a recent Travelocity article, the #1 most haunted hotel in America is the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

We've been guests of the Stanley several times over the years.This 100 year-old hotel is reported to be haunted and was the inspirationfor Stephen King's book "The Shining," which was made into a filmby Stanley Kubrick and a mini-series, which aired on ABC in 1997.

The following video, made on the 100th anniversary of the hotel in 2009, contains some photos of the hotel as wellas stills from the movies and recounts some of our experiences there. Be patient. This is a large file and may take some time to load.

If the video doesn't load, or you want to see
a larger version, you can also view it here.

Many strange occurrences take place at this hotel. You'll have to spend a night at the Stanley to judge for yourself whether the hauntings there are fact. . . or fiction.

Fall: A Time for New Beginnings

2011-09-23T14:38:00.012-06:00

Regrettably, I've been on quite an extended leave of absence from this blog. Life has been very busy--and full of change--for this family. My daughter graduated from high school last May and just recently got her driver's license, a car of her own, and started classes at a nearby community college (30 miles away but nearby for us), where she's studying photography and journalism. Armed with my old camera and a new MacBook, she is now officially launched into adulthood and I am (mostly) free of parenting and chauffeur duties and school volunteer work so perhaps I'll be able to update this blog more often and devote more time to EcoPrints.

I'd like to get back into the swing by posting a photo to mark this first day of fall, as fall is my absolute favorite season.

Skyward Aspens

Autumn on Conifer Mountain

There is a harmony

In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,

Which through the summer is not heard or seen,

As if it could not be, as if it had not been!

- Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Click on the image below to view more nature photos.

Turn Out the Lights

2011-03-22T16:32:00.000-06:00

Take Action for Earth Hour 2011

I love the spirit of this Global event. If we are going to
make a difference for this planet, it will take us all.

What will you do for Earth Hour 2011?

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A Rose for You on Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T00:30:00.000-07:00

“We cannot all do great things,
but we can do small things with great love.”

-- Mother Teresa

May the small things of life bring you great love.

This photo was taken with a rather large camera--a scanner!

I learned about this unique photographic technique from "Photography by Jules." See her extraordinary images here.

Leonid Meteor Showers at Peak

2010-11-17T13:26:00.004-07:00

We are lucky to live where we do, for a number of reasons, but one big one is for the awe inspiring views of the night sky and the meteor showers we are blessed with from time to time. Being on the top of a mountain, mostly away from city lights, gives us the perfect perch from which to study the stars.

There isn't a night that goes by that we don't see a shooting star or two (and several satellites) if we happen to be outside but a few times a year we are treated to some spectacular displays. One of those displays is happening right now. The Leonids. The Leonid meteor showers get their name because they appear to come from the constellation Leo and they streak across the sky every year around this time. "The shower is caused by material left behind the comet Tempel-Tuttle when it passes near Earth's orbit during its regular trip through the solar system."

In years past we have seen some amazing fireballs race across the sky, leaving long, shimmering tails in their wake. They are a sight to see.

"The annual Leonids should be at their best through Nov. 18, according to skywatching experts. Avid meteor gazers graced with clear skies may see between 15 and 20 meteors per hour.

"Skywatchers should look toward the constellation Leo in the eastern sky to see "shooting stars" from the Leonids, which appear to radiate out of the constellation. The best time to try to see the Leonids are in the last two or three hours before sunrise, when the moon has set."

One of these days I'll get the gear I need to do my own astrophotography but for now I'll have to settle for the above photos from Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Nuts? I Don't Think So.

2010-11-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

Who Needs Nuts When You Can Eat Mushrooms?

As I was fetching more wood from our wood pile I came across several rather large stashes of dried mushrooms, carefully gathered from the forest and hidden there by one of our resident squirrels. I hated to disturb his winter food stores so I tried to carefully put them back where I found them, all the while being loudly scolded by said squirrel as he watched me from a nearby tree. I know we will continue to disturb his precious mushrooms as we deplete the wood pile over the winter but I hope he will be able to find them again when the snow gets deep and food is scarce.

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I told this story a couple of weeks ago on "Do You See What I See," my friend Dianne's photo blog, when she posted this photo. Her photo reminded me of the above photo I took several years ago in a Denver park.

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To see more nature photos click on the link below.

"Winter Chickadee" Chosen for Calendar

2010-10-02T13:14:00.000-06:00

My photo, "Winter Chickadee", was chosen as the January selection for the 2011 Seasons of Our Mountains calendar!

Thanks to all those who voted for it!

I'll post ordering information for the calendar as soon as it becomes available.

Click on image for purchasing options for this photo.

"Winter Chickadee" Selected as Calendar Finalist

2010-09-17T17:13:00.003-06:00

A Walk on the Wild Side #4

One of the photos I submitted for the 2011 Seasons of Our Mountains calendar contest was chosen as a finalist!

"Winter Chickadee"

The full color calendar offers a different image each month unique to Evergreen, Conifer, and surrounding communities and is published as a benefit for the Mount Evans Hospice in Evergreen.

If you live in the area please be
sure to vote for your favorite photos!

Finalist selections and voting forms can be found in the September 15th editions of the Canyon Courier and High Timber Times. All 24 photos will be on display through September 29th at Evergreen National Bank, where you can also cast your vote. Votes must be received by September 29th.

Wish me luck! The competition is tough--there are some really outstanding photos in the final running. I wish they had them displayed online for my out-of-area friends but you can see last year's photos by clicking on the link below.

View Photos from the 2010 Calendar Here

Click on image for purchasing options for this photo.

And Now the Reservoir Road Fire

2010-09-13T17:44:00.004-06:00

Mountain Living #7

Another Type 1 wildfire is burning in the mountains west of Loveland. The fire started Sunday morning and quickly grew to 600 acres by the end of the day. It is now estimated at around 900 acres and is 20-25% contained. Luckily calm winds are helping to keep the fire from spreading too quickly at the moment.

A 9 News helicopter captured this image of a burning A-Frame Sunday.

Two homes have been lost in this fire and 159 homes have been lost in the Fourmile Canyon Fire, which was at 87% containment last night.

Who would have thought we would be dealing with wildfire in September? It's been unusually dry the past month or so, however, with extremely low humidity (4% the other day) and no rain in sight. I'm even hoping for a repeat of last September about now.

Update as of Friday September 17, 2010

The Fourmile Canyon fire area (fully contained on Monday) will opened to the public at 6 p.m. today almost two weeks after the fire broke out.

The Reservoir Road fire is now 100% contained with local authorities taking control of the fire today.

The fire danger continues to be extreme.

Mountains Still on Fire

2010-09-08T15:04:00.002-06:00

Mountain Living #6

The Fourmile Canyon Fire has been downsized today but containment still remains at 0%. Of the 93 structures that burned, 50+ were homes. (Update: 159 homes have been lost in this fire.)

It looks like rain here today. I hope it falls soon, and in great amounts. . .

Stuart O'Steen captured some frightening video of the blaze at night.

Mountains on Fire

2010-09-07T22:10:00.001-06:00

Mountain Living #5

The idyllic and peaceful mountain landscape many Coloradoans have chosen to call home has a dark side called Wildfire--and that dark side has ravaged the foothills northwest of Boulder in the last two days, consuming more than 7,100 acres and an estimated 92 structures, including nine homes belonging to firefighters who were fighting the blaze.

A 9 News aerial view of a burning home.

"It is a testament to their commitment and bravery. While they were out saving someone else's home, theirs is burning down," Incident Commander Chief Don Whittemore said.

The Fourmile Canyon Fire, as it's called, began yesterday morning and has been fueled by tinder-dry vegetation and strong winds and as of 6 p.m. this evening, was 0% contained.

The news video of homes going up in flames has been very difficult to watch. I haven't posted here for quite a while but I wanted to take the time this evening to extend my deepest condolences to the firefighters--and all mountain residents--who lost their homes, and all who are still waiting on pins and needles, hoping for the best come morning light. My heart goes out to them as I am reminded of many occasions where a major wildfire was headed our way in years past and how lucky we were that the weather changed or the wind shifted and we were spared the anguish that those folks in the foothills near Boulder are going through now.

The Hayman Fire of 2002

A donation line has been set up for those impacted by the Fourmile Canyon Fire, though it probably only works for Colorado residents.

The United Way says anyone wishing to make any kind of donation, from money to clothes to food, can call 211. Callers will then be transferred to the appropriate agency for their donation. The service is free and is open 24 hours a day.The United Way is asking people not to drop off donations at the center itself. Anyone who would like to help volunteer is encouraged to call 303-444-4904.

Also, the Longmont Humane Society www.longmonthumane.org and the Humane Society of Boulder Valley www.boulderhumane.org could use financial aid since they are stretched thin caring for evacuated pets.

New Images and Products Added to EcoPrints!

2010-04-30T12:45:00.001-06:00

I haven't been around the Blogosphere much lately because I've been working hard on expanding my product line for EcoPrints!

I've added 15 Images for Framed Prints (including the image below) and 6 new Greeting Card images.

(Click to enlarge)

View from my deck: A morning cloud
hangs over the moon and Black Mountain.

I'll hopefully now have a little time to catch up with everyone. :)

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Purchase Prints and Greeting Cards of This Photo!

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Earth Day and The Butterfly Effect

2010-04-22T09:04:00.007-06:00

Environment #2

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect."

Chief Seattle, 1854

The Butterfly Effect

"The Butterfly Effect is a metaphor that encapsulates the concept of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory; namely that small differences in the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system."

In other words, small changes within a complex system lead to unpredictable results.

(click on photo to view larger image)

This Weidemeyer's Admiral butterfly perches on
some foliage at Pine Valley Ranch in Pine, Colorado

I use this metaphor for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day because of the very unpredictable nature of the not-so-small changes we are creating on the planet and its inhabitants and how far reaching and serious the consequences of our actions are.

In 40 years of Earth Day celebrations and countless other reminders of our effect on the planet, we still haven't turned back the tide in many of the areas where it counts the most.

Extinctions

There is already more than enough evidence to support human action as being the cause of extinction of many of the earth's species so far. Just a few examples: the Passenger Pigeon, hunted to extinction over the course of a few decades; The Bali Tiger, declared extinct in 1937 due to hunting and habitat loss; and the Golden Toad of Costa Rica, which hasn't been seen since 1989.

Butterflies Are Free. . . to Disappear

Back to butterflies. . . One example that we are in real trouble is happening on local and global scales: the decline of butterfly populations.

Habitat loss and climate change are having a serious impact on Europe’s butterflies, beetles and dragonflies. (See also Global Warming Puts Butterflies at Threat.)

And in Australia climate change is directly responsible for behavioral changes in butterflies.

"Many flowering plants are so closely linked to butterflies (and vice versa) that one cannot survive without the other. When you think about the natural interdependence network that could collapse due to the extinction of one important species, it starts to get a little scary.

For the first time, a causal link has been established between climate change and the timing of a natural event – the emergence of the common brown butterfly."

According to David Attenborough, Britain's leading conservationist, "Butterflies are sensitive indicators," Sir David said. "They decline when habitats are destroyed and when man harms the environment. We have known about butterfly losses in Britain for over 50 years. Now there is mounting evidence that it is a global problem." Attenborough aghast at global decline of butterfly population

The butterflies, like the canary in the coal mine, are a but a warning.

"There is little doubt left in the minds of professional biologists that Earth is currently faced with a mounting loss of species that threatens to rival the five great mass extinctions of the geological past. As long ago as 1993, Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson estimated that Earth is currently losing something on the order of 30,000 species per year — which breaks down to the even more daunting statistic of some three species per hour. Some biologists have begun to feel that this biodiversity crisis — this 'Sixth Extinction' — is even more severe, and more imminent, than Wilson had supposed."

And

"There is little doubt that humans are the direct cause of ecosystem stress and species destruction in the modern world through such activities as:

transformation of the landscape
over-exploitation of species
pollution
the introduction of alien species"

Unpredictable Consequences?

The Butterfly Effect may indeed suggest unpredictable results as far as exactly what consequences disappearing species will have on our planet but one thing is very predictable: If we continue on our current path of environmental destruction, countless more species will disappear from the face of the earth. Perhaps even our own.

Can we afford to wait another 40 years before we, as a planet, take stronger action?

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Read More About Extinctions Here:

Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions

For more on Earth Day 2010 and what you can do to be
part of the solution instead of part of the problem, visit the

Official Earth Day 2010 web site.

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Purchase a Greeting Card of This Photo Here

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Springtime in the Rockies

2010-04-08T21:03:00.007-06:00

Mountain Living #4

Click Play to Start Music

These were the views from our house yesterday. April is our "transition month" here on the mountain.One day it can be 20 degrees, complete with a raging blizzard, while the next can be sunny and 70. It's hard to know how to dress these days.

(Video may take a while to load.)

The poor birds (Gray-Crowned Rosy Finches) seemed glad for the grub.

Winter is on the way out, but it's not quite spring yet (as you can see by the depth of snow on the ground).

Today, though, the sun came out and began warming the earth.

The piles of snow are slowly starting to disappear.

Perhaps spring is on the way at last!

Melt! Melt! Melt!

EcoPrints Landscape and Nature Photography

Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-27T15:36:00.013-06:00

Environment #1

I didn't want Earth Hour to pass today without a mention.

Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund, is an annual event calling for action on climate change by asking that everyone around the globe turn off their lights for one hour (8:30-9:30 p.m. local time).

Click on image for larger view.
Original is 2400x1200 and worth seeing.

A view of the Earth at night as seen from space.

Last year, 80 million Americans and 318 U.S. cities officially voted for action with their light switch, joining iconic landmarks from around the world that went dark for Earth Hour, including:

Empire State Building
Brooklyn Bridge
Broadway Theater Marquees
Las Vegas Strip
United Nations Headquarters
Golden Gate Bridge
Seattle’s Space Needle
Church of Latter-Day Saints Temple
Gateway Arch in St. Louis
Great Pyramids of Giza
Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens
Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro
St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London
Elysee Palace and Eiffel Tower in Paris
Beijing’s Birds Nest and Water Cube
Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong
Sydney’s Opera House

In the past, we've gone the entire night, not just an hour, with no lights and other electrical appliances. It's really quite nice to have an evening without lights, TV, computer or stereos. Very peaceful. I'm hoping to be able to do that again this evening as well.

What can you do to raise awareness on climate change? It's simple, just turn off your lights tonight during Earth Hour and ask friends, family, neighbors, school or workplace to do the same!

Earth Hour in the News

Check out the Earth Hour website for more information.

Like Mother Like Daughter. . .Sometimes

2010-02-11T16:00:00.005-07:00

Family #1

My daughter is in an Intermediate Photography class at her high school (and is also a T.A. for another photo class). She really seems to enjoy it and is very talented--she's much more creative than I am. She may even be interested in pursuing a career in the medium! We aren't much alike in many ways but in this area at least we share a common interest. :)

The weekend before last I took her to downtown Denver so she could complete a photo assignment. I was shooting her as she was shooting photos for her class. (I know, a bit much, isn't it?) I took this shot in the late afternoon light--and she made it better with some soft focus vignetting. I told you she was way more creative than I am! The shirt she's wearing is mine, by the way. :)

(click on image for larger view)

Winter Fox 3

2010-01-29T10:39:00.004-07:00

A Walk on the Wild Side #3

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." ~ Rachel Carson

"Winter Fox 3"

(click on photo for larger view)

A noise captures the attention of this Red Fox

This fox often hangs around our front deck, as he was doing last month when I took this photo.

View more wildlife photos at www.ecoprints.net

Please Help If You Can

2010-01-15T10:13:00.003-07:00

My friend Dianne posted an article regarding the earthquake in Haiti. In the article she lists relief organizations that make sure funds donated to them actually get to those in need. Please stop by her blog and donate to one or more of these organizations if you can.

Forks Off The Moment: Haiti

Disconnected

2010-01-13T07:40:00.008-07:00

I'm afraid. Very afraid. Technology seems to be working against me. Hard drive failed, now Internet is only allowing me to access certain web pages, and even then, only select features on those pages. I fear the age of enlightenment is at an end and I will soon be thrust into a pre-industrial darkness. Okay, I'm exaggerating. Still. . . I can't help but feel conspired against at this point. At least I can still access Blogger. . . some of it. . . some of the time.

Hal? Hal?? Is that you?

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T15:44:00.011-07:00

Happy New Year to One and All!

(Click on Photo for Larger View)

New Year's Eve Fireworks at "Skate The Lake" in Evergreen, Colorado

Many thanks to all my visitors for stopping by my blog and commenting on my photos. I've really enjoyed getting to know all of you this year and am looking forward to seeing what's in store for all of us in 2010!

May the New Year bring all of you all good things!

Holiday Fascination

2009-12-19T13:25:00.001-07:00

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find
that the simplest things -not the great occasions -
give off the greatest glow of happiness." ~ Bob Hope

(Click on Photo for Larger View)

As a toddler, my daughter was fascinated by all things Holiday.

Caroling, Caroling

2009-12-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

Holiday Magic #1

Don we now our gay apparel,

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

(Click on Photo for Larger View)

Joyful souls donned in gay apparel troll the ancient
Yuletide carol in Denver's festive Larimer Square.

I've been busily preparing for the Holidays here at home but thought I should bring a little Holiday Spirit to my little corner of cyberspace as well. This was taken several years ago when my daughter was little. She was enthralled with the carolers but too shy to join them in song. Ah, those were the days. . .

Winter Peak

2009-12-01T13:18:00.011-07:00

Mountain Light #2

“Mountains are earth's undecaying monuments.”
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Winter Peak"
(Click on Photo for Larger View)

A snow covered peak looms over Colorado's
Eisenhower Tunnel near the Continental Divide.

I thought a wintery shot would be nice for the 1st of December.

I snapped this photo as we were coming back from skiing last spring. Traffic was at a standstill, as it often is during the ski season, so I was afforded many opportunities to take photos from the car. It's not so bad being stuck in traffic when views like this are available.

Near as I can tell from the map, this mountain seems to be about 12,200 feet high.

View more photos at www.ecoprints.net

Autumn Reflection

2009-11-28T14:05:00.015-07:00

Autumn Splendor #4

November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

"Autumn Reflection"
(click on photo for larger view)

Bright orange foliage is reflected in a quiet pool of water.

Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown, NH

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring.

~ Clyde Watson

For me, despite what the calendar shows, autumn is over when November is over: "Earth sinks to rest," as the above poem, says. And as I relish these last few quiet days of fall before the hectic holiday seasons begins, I reflect on autumns past and remember a place I loved to hike in my youth. One glorious fall day in New Hampshire, as I walked along one of my favorite trails, I came across this beautiful tree in full foliage reflected in a pool in the stream that follows the trail. My camera always at the ready, I was able to capture the moment.

The light patch about a third of the way down on the left is a rock just under the water. The shot I took was of the tree upside down from the opposite bank but I thought the tree looked better upright.

View more photos at www.ecoprints.net

We Give Thanks

2009-11-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. " ~ Melody Beattie

May you be blessed with many reasons
to be thankful, this Thanksgiving and always.

Buy Nothing Day

2009-11-19T07:00:00.036-07:00

"Think Green Thursday"

Bobbie from Almost There participates in "Think Green Thursday" from Are You Think(ing) Green? each week. I always enjoy all the thought-provoking posts on the environment so I thought I would try my hand at one this week. Since next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and next Friday is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, I thought the following topic would be appropriate.

"There are two roads to affluence.
One is to have many things.
The other is to have few wants."

Loving the natural world as I do, I've always tried to be active in the "environmental" movement. In addition to trying to do my own part by "reducing, reusing and recycling," I was part of the Clamshell Alliance against nuclear energy, protested the manufacture of triggers for nuclear bombs, volunteered for the Nature Conservancy, and have regularly lobbied my representatives for improved environmental legislation on a number of topics over the years. One of the most serious threats to our global environment is rampant consumerism and, to bring attention to that issue, I like to promote "Buy Nothing Day" each year.

What began 20 years ago as a call not to contribute to the wasteful, mindless spending machine that drives our consumer-oriented economy on what is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year has now been ramped up for 2009 to a call for a "Wildcat Strike."

"This November 27th, we’re calling for a Wildcat General Strike. We’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt.

"We want you to not only stop buying for 24 hours, but to shut off your lights, televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones and log off of your computer for the day.

"From sunrise to sunset we’ll abstain en masse, not only from holiday shopping, but from all the temptations of our five-planet lifestyles."

Doing all of the above might be a bit radical for most but perhaps you can choose to do three of the above for the day. Most of all, though, don't buy a thing all day. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not even online. :)

For more information visit the Buy Nothing Day campaign at Adbusters online.

Added 11/22/09 -- One more reason not to shop on Black Friday:

Dirty secrets of Black Friday 'doorbusters

And visit Are You Think(ing) Green? for some great ideas on living the Green Life. :)

Curious Fox

2009-11-17T15:54:00.006-07:00

A Walk on the Wild Side #2

"The field has eyes,

the wood has ears;

I will look, be silent,

and listen."

- Hieronymus Bosch

"Curious Fox"

(click on photo for larger view)

We have shared this mountain with the foxes for close to 20 years now and I never cease to be enthralled by their beauty, grace, curiosity and friendliness. They will often sit or lay by us as we work around the house or property. Whether they are looking for companionship--or a handout--I can't say. Today this lady or fellow was highly interested in what my husband was doing on the deck.

Autumn Foliage

2009-11-10T17:01:00.035-07:00

Autumn Splendor #3

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
~ George Eliot

"Autumn Foliage"

(click on photo for a larger view)

Shorter days signal the remarkable
transformation of fall in the Rockies.
Reynolds Park. Conifer, Colorado

October Snow

2009-11-04T11:44:00.012-07:00

Mountain Living #3

We had a big snow storm last week that dumped nearly four feet of snow (45 inches) on our mountain--and a lot of other places along Colorado's front range. This is not extremely unusual for Colorado (6' in March of 1990; 4' in October 1997; 8' in March 2003) but it's not exactly welcome this early.

(Click on photos for larger view.)

Cars are buried.

Camper is buried.

Daughter is buried. Well, almost.

Deck is buried.

Roof is buried.

House is nearly buried.

Thank goodness for husbands!

We've had beautiful weather this week though--it's been sunny and warm and the snow is actually melting quite a bit. You've got to love Colorado!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:28:00.008-06:00

"When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween."

I've been too busy of late to post much but I did want to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween!

Hopefully I'll be able to catch up soon and post some photos of the recent blizzard that dumped 45" of snow on us. We're still digging out. . . We normally get about a foot of snow here on Halloween but nearly four feet? That was quite the Halloween trick.

Light and Shadow on The Sawtooth

2009-10-20T13:13:00.026-06:00

Mountain Light #1

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves" ~ John Muir

"Light and Shadow on the Sawtooth"

(click on photo for a larger view)

Late afternoon shadows move across the
face of The Sawtooth. Guanella Pass, Colorado

Before the creeping crud hit our household this fall I was able to make a trip to nearby Guanella Pass to do some shooting. I may not have captured the spectacular foliage shots I was looking for but it was a perfect fall day and I can almost always find something worth aiming my camera toward. The light and shadow on the side of this mountain is a perfect example.

Aspen Leaf on Glass

2009-10-18T13:20:00.011-06:00

Autumn Splendor #2

While fall Aspens are normally bright yellow, they can on occasion be a brilliant orange or red, which makes the trees bearing such leaves truly stand out in the crowd.

Aspen Leaf on Glass
(click on photo for a larger view)

Bull Elk

2009-10-14T10:09:00.020-06:00

A Walk on the Wild Side #1

I had to stop for a beautiful bull elk and his girls as they crossed the road in front of me last night. Being the perfect gentleman, he let them cross first (he probably wanted to see whether or not it was safe for him) then, when they were all safely on the other side, he ran full speed to catch up with them tossing his head and kicking up his heels like a playful horse. I imagine he wanted to make sure he didn't lose any of his harem. It is rutting season, after all, when males compete for females (isn't that all the time, though?). You don't often see them running like that; he was magnificent.

It was too dark to get a shot last night but I have this photo of a young bull taken from my deck early one summer morning:

"Morning Walk"
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Young Bull Elk on a Morning Walk

Mesa Verde and The Ancient Ones

2009-10-13T11:02:00.014-06:00

The National Parks #2

"Cliff Palace"
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The Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park

I feel a strong affinity with Native cultures and ancient peoples and there is pure magic in the lands where they lived and worked, laughed and cried, hunted, cooked, tended children and created art, for so many thousands of years. To walk through their homes, sit quietly in their places of worship, gaze upon their rock paintings, and hike their trails, fosters a deep sense of connection to these people, to the earth, to time itself. . .

One such magical place is Mesa Verde National Park. The ancient homes of a vanished people are located there as well as at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and other sites throughout the Southwest. These cliff dwellings, nestled deep into the canyon walls, far below the mesa tops, are hidden from view and difficult to get to.

About 1,400 years ago, from 550 A.D. to 1300 A.D., ancestral Puebloans (sometimes known as Anasazi, or "Ancient Ones") inhabited the area's mesas. However, it wasn't until the last 100 years or so of this occupation that they constructed elaborate structures below the mesa tops. And, toward the late 1200s, they disappeared from the place altogether.

What happened to them? What forced them to build their homes into the side of steep cliffs to begin with? These are mysteries that archeologists have yet to solve. But you can still learn a great deal about the culture of these people at Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon and other archaeological sites in the Southwest.

I found this video on YouTube and thought it was interesting and fairly well done:

Related posts:

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Aspen Gold

2009-10-06T15:45:00.017-06:00

Autumn Splendor # 1

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year and unfortunately, due to illnesses running through our household this year, I missed it. And it missed me. Even here on the mountain, which is normally glorious, there was a dismal show of color. I imagine the foot of snow we received earlier in the season had something to do with the aspens simply going from green to brown.

But, thanks to the magic of photography, I have more than memories to go by.

Aspen Gold

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Aspens from a previous fall near my home in Conifer, Colorado.

The National Parks -- America's Best Idea Indeed

2009-10-02T16:57:00.043-06:00

The National Parks #1

Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan have done it again with another magnificent documentary series titled, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," airing this week on PBS. And what a wonderful idea this was for a documentary. The film is all at once beautiful and informative, moving and inspiring. I was uplifted by the incredible scenery and the unfaltering commitment of those who fought to preserve our public lands and brought to tears by those seeking to destroy them (the flooding of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite comes to mind). I could go on and on about the series but I'll defer to those who can express themselves much better than I.

Purchase the DVD and book.

As a nature lover and a landscape photographer I owe a debt of gratitude to our National Parks and all our public lands. They have sustained me through good times and bad and have done much to feed my soul. Many thanks to Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan for creating such a beautiful and meaningful film about our most precious national treasures.

Part 2: National Parks Photos #1

Like millions of my fellow Americans, I, too, have found true inspiration in our National Parks and Monuments.

"Sunset Geyser"
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Pink Cone Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

The Summer of Ladybugs

2009-09-27T19:12:00.037-06:00

Mountain Living #2

(click on photos for a larger view)

This past summer we saw an infestation of ladybugs. They were everywhere. The air was thick with them. I couldn't walk from the house to the car without having to pick several out of my hair.

At first it was awe-inspiring--I had never
seen so many ladybugs in one place.

They would congregate together in huge bunches (apparently mating) when the sun was in and then take to the air en masse, filling the sky, when the sun came out.

The local news did a report on the phenomenon and said they would disperse in a few weeks.

They didn't.

The nights started to get cooler on the mountain and I was sure they would depart for greener (and warmer) pastures.

They didn't.

We got a foot of snow last week and endured many cold, snowy days. Surely that would take care of them.

Au contraire. They are as numerous (if not more so) than ever and are still at it, eager to reproduce.

Now that the sun is out again, they are still filling the air!

I wonder if they will be around all winter??

A few videos from the summer

Winter Comes Early in the Mountains

2009-09-23T16:55:00.033-06:00

Mountain Living #1

(click on photo for a larger view)

First Day of Fall: September 22, 2009

Winter has come early to the mountain. Our first real snowfall dropped more than a foot of snow--and it's still coming down. It's lovely to watch--but I admit that I'm not quite ready for winter yet. The aspens haven't even started to turn here at the house.

And it's always strange to see snow clinging to green leaves. . .

Two Miles High

Happy New Year!

Mountain Top Christmas Tree

Conifer Christmas Parade 2011

Light the Lights

Most Haunted Hotel in America

Fall: A Time for New Beginnings

Turn Out the Lights

A Rose for You on Valentine's Day

Leonid Meteor Showers at Peak

Nuts? I Don't Think So.

"Winter Chickadee" Chosen for Calendar

"Winter Chickadee" Selected as Calendar Finalist

And Now the Reservoir Road Fire

Mountains Still on Fire

Mountains on Fire

A donation line has been set up for those impacted by the Fourmile Canyon Fire, though it probably only works for Colorado residents.

New Images and Products Added to EcoPrints!

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Purchase Prints and Greeting Cards of This Photo!

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Earth Day and The Butterfly Effect

The butterflies, like the canary in the coal mine, are a but a warning.

Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions

For more on Earth Day 2010 and what you can do to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, visit the

Official Earth Day 2010 web site.

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Springtime in the Rockies

Earth Hour 2010

Like Mother Like Daughter. . .Sometimes

Winter Fox 3

Please Help If You Can

Disconnected

Happy New Year!

Holiday Fascination

Caroling, Caroling

Winter Peak

Autumn Reflection

We Give Thanks

May you be blessed with many reasons to be thankful, this Thanksgiving and always.

Buy Nothing Day

Dirty secrets of Black Friday 'doorbusters

Curious Fox

Autumn Foliage

October Snow

Happy Halloween!

Light and Shadow on The Sawtooth

Aspen Leaf on Glass

Bull Elk

Mesa Verde and The Ancient Ones

Aspen Gold

The National Parks -- America's Best Idea Indeed

The Summer of Ladybugs

Winter Comes Early in the Mountains

For more on Earth Day 2010 and what you can do to be
part of the solution instead of part of the problem, visit the

May you be blessed with many reasons
to be thankful, this Thanksgiving and always.