April 2010 Wallpaper for your Computer

A stone banked mountain brook meanders through a green forested meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Can you hear the water as it dances over the pebbles? Can you smell the green grass and pine scented air? Let yourself float down the gentle stream of a high mountain meadow and disappear around the bend into the wild Rocky Mountains.

Here is your new desktop calendar for April 2010. If you would like to purchase this photograph you can find the information on the archival quality fine art photo of Bubbling Brook here. I hope you enjoy your free calendar!

download your free desktop wallpaper calendar for April 2010 here

Easy Instructions
After clicking on the above link
you will be at my Flickr page. Simply click on
"Download the Original size"
at the top left of the page.
The file will then download to your desktop!

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Playful Dogs in the Snow

Dog play is one of the most fun things in the world to watch. And when the weather is cold and snowy my two dogs seem to enjoy their outing even more. It all starts with an invitation. You see, dogs have a language all their own. When a rump goes up with tail wagging and then the dog bows it means "let's play!"

Dulcie "play bows" to Rob.

Rob is only too happy to oblige and leaps toward Dulcie.

Now they are both leaping and running in joy.

Dulcie pulls rank with her elder status and calls it quits.

Rob gets back to business, tracking bunnies!

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Purple Dreams

Technically purple is a large range of different shades between red and blue. But purple has many other meanings too. It brings a chaotic variety of things to my mind.

Purple is associated with royalty, nobility, spirituality, mystery and imagination. I think of flowers; violets, iris, lavender, lilacs, and orchids. And who does not think of grapes! There are childhood memories of grape Popsicles®, soda, bubble gum, and juice. And also from childhood, who has not read to their child "Harold and the Purple Crayon." Do you remember the "Purple People Eater?" What about "Purple Haze" and "Deep Purple?"

To celebrate this wonderful color I have chosen some of the very best purple photography from the Photographers of Etsy. Enjoy the beauty of purple and be sure to click and visit their shops.

Dreaming of Spring
by Tea And Brie

no longer available

Lavender Fields
by Urban Design
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Trees and Lake
by Seabelly
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Tapestry Morning
by Celtic Cat Photos
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The Garden's Secret
by zMac Photography
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A 14,264' View from the top of Mount Evans

It was last June. It was shorts weather in Colorado, but not at the top of Mount Evans. There was a storm approaching the peak and the temperature was below freezing with bitter biting winds. I trotted across the parking lot to the ruins of the old chalet 50 yards away. I was breathless and a little dizzy by the time I reached it, a result of what Coloradans call "rare air" at an elevation of over 14,000 feet. Shivering from the unrelenting cold but at the same time totally juiced to take photos, I shot off as many as I could before my fingers started to go numb. I'm going back this year for sure... in August, with arctic gear, gloves, hat and a tripod. Enjoy the view!

Mountain Window
Looking out a rustic window from the ruins of a chalet at the very top of Mount Evans at an elevation of 14,264' shows a scenic snow capped mountain landscape as far as the eye can see.
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The Sweet Butter Swirl of a Calla Lily

The light is soft but warm. The room is scented sweetly of lilies. As I watch dust motes drift lazily through the rays of light my gaze lingers on the vase of lovely delicate flowers. An unexpected gift from my beloved, they bring happiness and a smile to my face, as I remember my beau walking through the door smiling holding the beautiful bouquet, a testament of love.

Yellow Swirl
A luscious curve of butter yellow flower petal swirls into the center of the calla lily.
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Butter Curl
Gentle curls of yellow flower petal catch the morning light on this calla lily.
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Yellow Calla Lily Flower Set
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Orange Orange

Today's post is all about color. I was inspired to pick orange by the fantastic sunrises I have been greeted by this week. They paint my bedroom in a warm orange glow making it easy to pop out of the covers and start my day. For some reason when it's gloomy it is much better to stay under the blankets. But orange rejuvenates me, gets my motor running. I hope you enjoy my guest photography today and click on the shops and photos. Oooo-aarrrrange you glad I picked orange!

love on a sunday morning
by myan photography
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Le Soleil
by Honeytree
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TTV Gerber Daisy
by The Eye
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Little Orange Beetle
by Starry Blue Sky
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Lanterns
by Ara 133 Photography
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Mother to Be Black Squirrel

The snows are melting and the first little bits of green are starting to sprout. The Abert's (commonly mistaken as Albert's) squirrels of Stellers Ridge are active. I see them running down the fence, jumping from tree top to tree top, and leaping impossible distances. My eye catches a blurred streak of black against the forest background and I race for my camera. I have a lot of shots with these blurry streaks, but today I caught a very round and plump squirrel resting for a brief moment on the fence post. Then before I could get off just one more shot she streaked off. Do you think she's pregnant?

Black Squirrel on Post
A black Abert squirrel sits on a fence post in the foothills of northern Colorado.
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Black Squirrel Photo Set
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The Blush of a Spring Amaryllis

The pots of giant amaryllis bulbs are lined up in a row in front of the eastern windows. All year long I wait, water and watch. It starts sometime in January when the first little green nub starts to push up through the dark soil. I wait more and check the other pots to see if there are any more tentative green shoots. Within the next month they all start to push upward in various stages. Usually the giant crimson flowers are first with the lightly blushing pink ones last. The display goes on in the eastern light for weeks filling my home with various shades of crimson, scarlet, white, and pink until finally the last bloom fades and they all rest once again.

First Kiss
The first tender color of blushing red emerges from an amaryllis bud.
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Deep Kiss
A brilliant red amaryllis is deeply revealed in intimate detail.
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Flaming Bud
An amaryllis bud in flaming colors of red, orange and yellow emerges into the spring light.
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Red Flower Photo Set -8x10 Set of Three Photographs
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March Hare

"Mad as a March Hare" was a common phrase in Lewis Carroll's time and thus was born the character in his famous book, Alice in Wonderland. I have always loved this book as well as the companion book, Through the Looking Glass, since I was a child. So naturally I had to see the recent Alice in Wonderland movie starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. I was charmed by Tim Burton's original approach to the characters of Wonderland. So in honor of March and the irrepressible hare, here are a few of my favorites from the handmade artisans of Etsy.

Blackberry
Blackberry is a sensitive, serious rabbit. He is concerned about global warming and endangered species.
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amberalexander

hold me
original 5x7 black and white photograph
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allieart4children

Bunny Foo Foo Locket
This adorable locket features a hand finished antique brass / bronze vintage bunny rabbit on a vintage basket weave brass locket.
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envisage

Bunny Beanie
This sweet bunny beanie is here just in time for Easter! It comes in either white or brown for boys and girls!
click here for purchase information on this infant hat
SweetLoveCreates

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Raindrops are Falling

It was a gentle walk along the beginnings of the Colorado River. Dad was with us and at 70 was not up for climbing a mountain, but he was beaming from ear to ear to be in the mountains. We stopped often, looking at a small flower, commenting on the clear mountain water in the small stream that would turn into a mighty river. The clouds rolled in just as we reached a beaver pond. The mound of branches in the middle of the pond looked fresh and evidence surrounded us of this little animal's industriousness. Then it happened. Gentle drops began to fall. They left their beautiful mark on the still water and then disappeared. It was a moment I will always cherish.

Summer Rain
A summer walk along the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park started out warm and sunny. A small isolated rain shower started at the same time we reached a beaver pond giving me this photographic opportunity.
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Indian Paintbrush in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Spring is coming. Can you smell it in the air? I can. It puts a bounce in my step and anticipation in my heart. The spring wildflowers in the Rocky Mountains are spectacular when the winter snows are deep. This should be a very good year. One of my favorites, Indian Paintbrush or sometimes called Prairie Fire, grows at high elevations and low. Spring will come and new paintbrush will sprout. I can't wait!

Ruby Jewel
This bright and cheery photo of Indian Paintbrush was taken in Colorado's remote high country near Ruby Jewel Lake at an elevation of 11,000 feet.
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Paintbrush Cliff
A brilliant red patch of Indian paintbrush grows between the rocks in a cliff at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Rocky Paintbrush
Indian paintbrush grows on a rocky slope in northern Colorado.

Paintbrush Log
Indian paintbrush springs up beside and old log.

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