Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Band of Brothers, Animal Photography, Colorado

This Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep "band of brothers" was photographed in the now closed Big Thompson Canyon east of Estes Park, Colorado, due to the devastating floods which occurred this past September 2013. When I shot this photo they were next to the highway wanting to cross but confused by the traffic and people stopping. I like to think that for the next several months to a year my inconvenience at not having access to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park will be rewarded because the wildlife of the canyon, including this wild band of bighorns, have reclaimed their canyon home for a time. It makes me happy.

BIGHORN BROS

Big Thompson Canyon, near Estes Park, Colorado, USA

Printed in the USA - ©Julie Magers Soulen

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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Ram, Animal Photography, near Estes Park Colorado

Last spring we did an overnight trip up to Estes Park, Colorado. On our way home down the Big Thompson Canyon we encountered a group of bachelor Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep rams. This particular fellow was a stand out from his band of brothers and inspired me to give him a "canvas" of his own. I removed him from the original photograph and gave him a background inspired by the spirit of earth in hues of granite, sandstone and quartz. I hope you like my artistic approach to photography and enjoy sharing it!

BIGHORN EARTH
Big Thompson Canyon, near Estes Park, Colorado, USA
Printed in the USA - ©Julie Magers Soulen

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Shimmering Gold in Olympic National Forest, Washington

We were walking through the dense Olympic National Forest in Washington following a trail through the decaying and rapidly growing forest. The northwest amazes me at how fast everything grows! The smells were verdant and intoxicating in the thick air. I turned to look behind me and saw a shimmer of gold through the deep green foliage. Curious as to what it could possibly be I started off to find the source. I found this little rocky creek catching the last rays of sunset turning it a liquid gold. Hope you like it.

Shimmering Gold

Nature photography of a golden water reflection shimmering in a green forest woodland.

Printed in the USA - ©Julie Magers Soulen

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Santa Cruz De La Canada Mission Doors

I was rooting around in my photography archives and ran across this photograph of the doors of the mission in Santa Cruz, NM. I had always meant to process this work and had somehow forgotten it. The mission, Santa Cruz de la Canada, was built in 1733 and has a reputation of being the best mission in New Mexico. I also found an old photo taken of the mission in 1881. I hope you enjoy them both.

Mission Doors

The beautifully carved wooden mission doors at Santa Cruz de la Canada mission.

Santa Cruz de la Canada Church, Santa Cruz, New Mexico

The Santa Cruz church in 1881. 

Photo by William Henry Jackson.

mission art

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Saint Teresa of Avila Church in Bodega, California

This white church with a tall beautiful steeple in Bodega, California was built in 1859 by shipbuilders. It also happens to be the church used in Alfred Hitchcock's film, The Birds. I think it is a lovely little church but wanted to give it a look that could harken back to the early 1900s. So I used some post processing techniques and came up with a tintype look. I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on this one! Cheers!

St. Teresa of Avila Church Tintype

Church photography of the famous white church in Bodega, California.

St. Teresa of Avila Church, Bodega, California

church art

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Dream Home in Colorado

How many of you have dreams of living in that perfect home in that perfect setting? It could be in the mountains or on a seashore or in a pine forest.  Hold on to your dreams.  I dreamed of living in the mountains of Colorado since the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains. My husband and I never let go of that dream.  It took many years, but with that focus and intent we made it happen. First we moved to Colorado from the Midwest, then we found a way to purchase some land, and finally we built our dream home.  We lived in our mountain dream home for over 12 years before deciding we were finished with that dream and it was time for a new one. So follow your heart.  It can lead you to the most unexpected and happy places.  This log cabin in Aspen, Colorado was once someone's dream before it became a reality.  It is here to remind you that dreams really do come true.

Cabin Dreams

Architectural photography of a log cabin in the woods on a hillside in Aspen, Colorado.

log cabin art

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Bridge over the Roaring Fork River in Aspen, Colorado

I love the trickling sound of a mountain stream and can never get too much of a beautiful Colorado day like this one. We were visiting Aspen and taking a break from hiking the rugged mountain trails, as much for our sake as for our physically challenged dog. This gentle hike was on a city trail that meandered back and forth across the river and through the bucolic gentle woodland.

Bridge over the Fork

The beautiful Roaring Fork River meanders through a green woodland with a foot bridge crossing.

Roaring Fork River, Aspen, Colorado

river art

colorado photos

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Mossy California Oak in Golden Sunlight

I love beautiful gnarly old oak trees. We do not have them in Colorado so when I am visiting California I take the time to enjoy their beautiful canopies. This giant was standing next to one of those mountain roads in California that are as twisty as this oak's mossy boughs. I love the way the light in California is so much warmer in tone than the crystal clear thin air of Colorado. It was easy to catch that golden light filtering through this oak. What is your favorite tree?

California Oak

A majestic California oak with twisted mossy branches catches the golden sunlight filtering through its canopy. 

Santa Rosa, California

california oak art

nature photos

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Old West Landscape, Fog On The Mesa

Remember watching those old westerns on TV with dad? It was a Saturday afternoon favorite of mine. It's no wonder that I migrated west from Ohio long ago, to quench my thirst for the vast western landscapes. When I was processing this photo it just begged me to make it look aged, to fit in with that Old West feeling that still resides in my memory.

Fog on the Mesa

Landscape photography, done in an Old West style, of a foggy mountain landscape with a bare tree and red mesa.

Colorado Rocky Mountains west of Fort Collins, Colorado

old west landscape photos

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A Shabby Chic Pink Rose with a Secret Heart

There is nothing quite so beautiful as a bouquet of roses. The pink ones were my grandma's favorite flower. I have to admit roses are one of my favorites too. The tiny tight buds, the bloom in it's prime, and yes, the faded glory too. When they start to droop a bit I see the details of their beauty even clearer. Each tiny vein in the petal seems to stand out in detail a bit more. I wanted to save the beauty of this pink garden rose and added a bit of texture to give it a shabby vintage look. And this rose has a secret too. Do you see the tiny heart at its center?

Secret Heart
A shabby chic pink rose with a tiny heart center, fading yet still elegant with a vintage texture applied giving it an antique look.



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Rocky Mountain Waterfall on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado

Can you imagine sitting on this rock, listening to the rush and tumble of the never ending water? Do you ever wonder where the water comes from? I always wonder in amazement that the strong flow never stops. This waterfall on the Roaring Fork River near Aspen, Colorado is not very far from the Continental Divide. The winter skies bring snow and the slow melt sustains the mountain rivers until the cycle begins again. And again. And again.

“Do you have patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?” - Lao Tzu

Rocky Waterfall

An amazing Colorado Rocky Mountain waterfall cascades over boulders and rocks into an aqua blue pool. 

Roaring Fork River near Aspen, Colorado

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Southwestern Mission In Chimayo, New Mexico

You will find that most of the photographs of El Santuario de Chimayo are of the exterior.  But for me the interior is by far the most interesting and beautiful to view.  The old Spanish mission was built in 1816 by a private individual and became a National Historic Landmark in 1970.  It is definitely a worthwhile destination on your next trip to the southwest.  I took this photo a few years ago, and have always liked the warm golden glow inside the sanctuary. I have taken a second look at it making minor improvements and have given it a new crop. If curious, you can see the earlier version and post here.  

Sacred Sanctuary

An old Spanish mission is bathed in soft golden light illuminating the lovely wooden interior and altar. Chimayo, New Mexico

spanish mission art

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Woodland Spring in Fort Collins, Colorado

We currently have a covering of snow here in northern Colorado, but I am reminded that this replenishing snow will fortify our woodlands for a burst of springtime pink and white cherry blossoms  very soon. This photo was taken on an urban nature walk through one of our plentiful open spaces in Fort Collins last year. Take heart. Spring is coming!

Woodland Spring

An urban woodland path meanders through ancient cottonwood trees and wild cherry blossoms of pink and white.

Fort Collins, Colorado

woodland spring art

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Orange Tulip Pops - Flower Photography

As I looked at these two orange tulips just opening they looked more and more like giant lollipops. I'm not sure if my sweet tooth was flavoring my vision or if I just see things differently. Tell me what you see.

Orange Pops

Two newly opened orange tulips look like lollipops on a sage green distressed background.

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Narrow Leaf Penstemon, A Colorado Wildflower

Penstemon is a very large genus of North American wildflowers also known as beardtongue. I have found the narrow leaf variety growing all over the foothills and plains of Colorado wherever sandy soil is found. Besides being a pretty flower that is very hardy and drought tolerent it was believed that Native Americans used penstemon roots to relieve toothaches.

Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light. -- Theodore Roethke

Penstemon

This narrow leaf penstemon comes in many hues of purple, lavender, violet, and amethyst.

Colorado Wildflower

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Pawnee Buttes on the High Plains of Colorado

Walking out to the buttes on Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado can be full of surprises especially with unpredictable spring weather. This day there were storms rolling through which made for great photography potential. Without any cover or place to retreat we were ever mindful of the lightning that accompanies such storms and probably stayed a bit too long. But the grandeur of the vista and sky were simply too hard to resist. Do you ever indulge yourself in potential risks to shoot photography?

Pawnee Buttes

Two buttes rise above the high plains of Colorado with a stormy sky as a spring storm rolls over the grasslands.

Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

butte art

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The High Plains of Colorado - Pawnee National Grassland

This photograph was taken at the Pawnee National Grassland of Colorado.  It is an especially depopulated area of the Colorado plains since farming was abandoned there during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.  However on the day I visited it rained off and on, but I was still able to capture some dramatic sky shots in between the rolling storms. It is a vast expanse of grass that is so empty and open it simply renews your spirit to be there. Nothing gets in the way of the constant wind, whether it is fierce or gentle. I love the stark minimalist landscape. It is refreshing to city eyes.

Grassland

A vast landscape with a dramatic stormy sky over Colorado's high plains and two lone birds flying along the horizon. Can you hear the grass rustling and feel the wind in your hair? 

Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

prairie grassland art

And if you like a little music with your viewing this song was suggested by a reader to go with this photograph.

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Flame Fatale - An Orange Garden Rose

Like many people, when February starts to wane my thoughts turn toward spring and flowers! This flame fatale beauty was shot in a friend's rose garden in California. I was taken with the startling color and wanted to preserve it forever. Hope you like it too!

Flame Rose

A flaming orange rose highlights a Santa Rosa, California garden.

orange rose art

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Black Eyed Susan Flowers and a Garden Fence

It is snowing outside and my focus has been on flowers! This photograph was taken on a beautiful early autumn day in Aspen, Colorado. We were walking through urban green belts that followed the Roaring Fork River and took us past back yard gardens. It was a beautiful mixture of gardens and wild mountain landscape that combined into a visual treat for this photographer. As always I love your comments. ♥

Black Eyed Susan

A beautiful bunch of black eyed susan flowers are nestled next to a rustic garden fence. 

Aspen, Colorado

black eyed susan art

As always, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts in my comments here or on my Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

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