A big snowstorm hit Denver and the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains leading to this beautiful winter landscape on Mount Falcon. Teig and I spent the afternoon exploring this mountain in the awesome silence that comes to the forest in a huge snowstorm.
Winter on South Boulder Creek
I really enjoyed exploring the winter conditions at Walker Ranch in the Front Range Mountains west of Boulder Colorado. South Boulder Creek was predominantly frozen over with sections where the flowing water showed through the ice. I think it makes for a pretty interesting composition.
Traildog Sauntering to Fisher Towers
It was a fantastic view hiking up to Fisher Towers outside of Moab, Utah. The Fisher Towers contains layers of sedimentary rock in various shades of red-brown, red-purple, and maroon. The colors are a result of varying amounts of hematite (an iron oxide).
Winter Profile on North Table Mountain
Sometimes a simple photo out on trail captures the essence of a soul.
Bird on Feeder
We were relaxing at RedRocks Trading post in Morrison Colorado watching the few bird feeders in the back during a snowstorm and this little guy flew up and started feeding. He seemed quite fearless and hungry and was picking through the seeds in the feeder finding the tasty morsels.
Cabezon Sunset
Cabezon Peak is one of the best-known and most visible landmarks in northwest New Mexico. Cabezon is located about 75 miles northwest of Albuquerque. This giant volcanic plug is visible for tens of miles in all directions, and as far away as Placitas. Cabezon means “big head” in Spanish, and it is aptly named. It is the largest of several dozen widely scattered rocky monoliths, called the Rio Puerco necks. Rising above the Rio Puerco valley floor, they are some of the best-preserved examples of volcanic necks in the world. The craggy black peaks stand in sharp contrast to the sparsely vegetated, buff-colored lowlands from which they emerge. Mt. Taylor looms majestically to the southwest, Mesa Prieta borders the valley to the east, and the Jemez Mountains are visible to the north. This starkly beautiful landscape is unique in New Mexico. At an elevation of 7,786 ft, Cabezon Peak towers more than 1,100 ft above its base, and 2,000 ft above the Rio Puerco nearby.
Teig is Enjoying the Snow
The joy of being a Colorado Traildog on a snow covered Colorado trail.
Red Sandstone Formation at Valley of Fire
Teig and I were exploring off-trail in the Valley of fire State Park in Southern Nevada. The red rock formations are beautiful even in full winter sun. The bright red Aztec sandstone is from the Jurassic period and is the remnant of the sand left behind by the wind after inland seas subsided and the land rose.
Winter Scene at White Ranch
Winter in Golden Colorado is especially wonderful after a snowstorm. On this day I took a hike up to White Ranch above the valley and I found this group of frozen trees on my way to the summit. The light was nice even though it was later in the morning. A hike becomes super fun when you come across gems like this.
Morning Breeze in Death Valley
On our last morning in Death valley National Park we sauntered around the salt flat near Badwater which is the lowest point in North America at -282 feet below sea level. The winds were kicking up pretty good and Teig had his fur flowing with the breeze. It was very quiet on this morning and we were on the west side of the valley which only has a rough dirt road with hardly any tourists.
Stars, Milky Way and and Night Eyes
The Milky Way is amazing, especially viewing it above 11,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. On this summer evening I was shooting the night sky in complete darkness. I was out in the forest alone and heard a bunch of rustling near me, totally freaking me out. I booked it back to camp which was a couple of hundred yard away. I came back a got my camera a short time later with a extremely bright headlamp. When I got home and processed the shots I found out it was just a few deer feeding in the grass on the mountainside. When you are out in complete darkness by yourself, you can get rattled and spooked by noises in the dark. By the way, Teig was asleep in the truck back at camp.
Resting on Green Mountain
Winter snow days on Green Mountain in Golden Colorado are the best. Teig loves hikes in the snow and bluebird days are especially fun for both of us. Can you see Tieg smiling? I definitely can!
Winter Storm Engulfing Redrocks
A winter storm came into the Front Range and blanketed snow on beautiful rock formations at Redrocks outside of Denver Colorado. Sauntering the trails was a pleasure with no tourists because of these chilly conditions. As a photographer, these conditions are great and require a trip around the trails in the park.
Mt. Wilson through the Joshua Trees
Teig and I made an excursion trip to Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. We were thrilled we made that choice. The mountains there are exquisite with bright red and orange faces on the sheer cliffs. I was surprised to see these mountains a stones throw from Vegas. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get a photo of Mt. Wilson through the Joshua Trees… I do love colorful mountain faces and Joshua Trees!
Joshua Tree in Utah Preserve
Sauntering through southwest Utah near St George, Teig and I stumbled upon Joshua Tree National Natural Landmark and spend a day and evening there enjoying the desert landscape and Joshua Trees. It is definitely worth the time and we really enjoyed the area especially since it was deep into December and winter but the nights stayed above freezing temperatures.
Calm Traildog on North Table Mountain
Teig was resting on a rocky outcrop on North Table Mountain outside of Golden Colorado. I saw him sitting there a day after snow came through the area and had to capture this photo.
Hawk Silhouette at Carolyn Holmberg Preserve
I find zen with a winter evening’s stroll around Carolyn Holmberg Nature Preserve in Broomfield Colorado. There are many species of birds and mammals that occupy this open space during the winter months. Keeping your eyes open and searching the trees you will most certainly find hawks and maybe an eagle perched in the branches. On this evening there was this hawk resting high in the cottonwood tree silhouetted against the beautiful colors in the sky from the setting sun. How lucky we are to witness the wonder and beauty of nature in Colorado.
Bison Bull Roaming Rocky Mountain Arsenal
This large bison bull was roaming the Rocky Mountain Arsenal refuge outside of Denver Colorado and he just happened to saunter past me while I was photographing the bison herd. He was a big boy and moved slowly across my frame. No hurry, just stopped for a brief moment to look at me and then continued on his way.
Speed on the Trail Snow
Teig loves to run along the trail when we are exploring the Front Range in Colorado. He is running to me on Travois Trail on Centennial Cone near Golden. We spend many of our winter weekend days sauntering these trails.
Traildog Fun on Snow Day”
Teig had a fantastic afternoon playing in the snow at Belmar Park in Lakewood Colorado. I had some fun too.