Exploring Independence, Colorado - Raven's Roost

Exploring Independence, Colorado was a fun day of discovery. This old ghost town was originally established after gold was struck nearby on July 4, 1879, hence the name Independence. Most of the cabin ruins were only one room cabins, but this cabin had two rooms making an interesting crooked collection of doorways leading to a scenic view. Do you see why I came up with the title, Raven's Roost?  Hope you like it!

Thank you kindly for your shares and comments.

Raven's Roost

A rustic abandoned log cabin with three crooked doorways leads the eye to a scenic mountain view. But wait. I think a raven has decided to move in! This photograph is a perfect way to add a touch of rustic charm to your home, office, or bedroom decor.

Independence, Colorado

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

A Common Raven in Old World Style

You may recognize this bird as the Common Raven. They are one of my favorite birds because of their intelligence, curiosity, and their communication skills. I have often listened in on their "conversations" and watched their playful antics. This raven I photographed in the Painted Desert as he walked back and forth many times posing for me as the shutter clicked. I believe he just might have wanted me to immortalize him in this Old World styled digital art print.

Old World Raven

Raven print, a solitary raven with each feather in exquisite detail is printed on a background texture with the look of old linen. A perfect way to add the Old World charm of an Audubon style bird print to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Painted Desert, Arizona

purchase information

Old World Raven Art Card

purchase information

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Black and White or Color Photography?

There are times when I can not decide whether I like a photograph better in black and white or in color. This photograph was one of these times. There are good reasons for both approaches. The subject matter of the old truck and windmill seemed to be out of the past granting a perfect excuse for transforming a modern image into an "aged" black and white photo. On the other hand the rusty old truck was a beautiful reddish burnt orange against a blue Colorado sky.

In general do you like color or black and white photography better? Which do you prefer for this photograph? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

If you are curious about seeing more of my black and white and color photography please visit my shop on Etsy.

  

Truck and Windmill

 Old truck photo, a Colorado prairie windmill landscape art print, of an abandoned old truck resting next to a prairie windmill on the High Plains of Colorado. Perfect for adding a touch of western prairie to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

purchase information

 

 Truck and Windmill BW

Old truck black and white photo, a Colorado prairie windmill landscape art print, of an abandoned old truck resting next to a prairie windmill on the High Plains of Colorado. A modern photo given an "aged" patina, perfect for adding a touch of vintage western prairie to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

purchase information 

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Rabbit Brush Ridge - A Snowy Minimalist Landscape

We are all ready for spring; flowers, green landscapes, and warm sunny days. Spring makes me think of planting flowers too. My new home has a glaring absence of plants, of which I am very ready to remedy. I love gardening and it will be my challenge in the next few months to get rid of stone and add a touch of nature's beauty. 

But in the meantime, I wanted to share one more winter day with you. We were just returning home from a hike on a morning fresh and crisp with new snow. I looked up the hillside to see this beautiful minimalist view of the ridge line and a gorgeous blue Colorado sky. I hope you like it and do not mind one more winter day.

 

Rabbit Brush Ridge

The sun's low angle creates interesting shadows on the minimalist snowy landscape of a Colorado ridge.  The brown husk of last years rabbit brush lends some relief to the blank horizon.

purchase information 

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Colorado Mountain Log Cabin

The romance of a mountain log cabin in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a sentiment I hear often. I too hold that sentiment close to my heart, but it is tempered with the reality of true mountain living experience. When living in a remote environment you are at the mercy of nature, and she has no mercy. It is what makes the experience wild and exciting, but often short lived for many but the heartiest.

When I see an abandoned old cabin my thoughts always wander to the people that used to call it home. What become of them? Why did they leave? Did they grow from the experience or did it defeat them? The answers are as diverse as the people.

Mountain Cabin

An old log cabin surrounded by the lushness of a green Colorado summer.
purchase information




More Country Living Photography

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Photography

I have lived in northern Colorado for over twenty years and went to the "Garden of the Gods" for the first time last summer. I never meant to put it off for so long and when we finally did make plans I had my camera charged and anticipated getting many shots. Unfortunately, this is the only decent shot I got as that storm really did roll in and it poured the whole time! Sometimes it just goes that way. We had a fun day out anyway and ending up visiting Cave of the Winds. I am planning on going back for a second try this next year. Fingers crossed.

Garden of the Gods
An iconic red stone mountain rises up against a stormy sky in Colorado's Garden of the Gods.
purchase information

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Cabin Ruins in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Last September I journeyed over Pennock Pass on the way to Pingree Park in the northern Colorado Rocky Mountains. On the way is this abandoned mountain cabin. I had been here before and wanted to come back and get more shots. One of my earlier photographs, Natures Return, was taken here in 2006. The stark contrast between the cabin ruins and the beautiful mountain forest is evident. I am not sure whether I look at this as spoiled wilderness or as nature's amazing ability to reclaim. How do you see it? Which photo speaks to you?

Hidden Cabin
The dense aspen forest crowds close to an abandoned mountain cabin in the remote northern Colorado Rocky Mountains.
click for purchase information

Return to Nature
Ruins of a derelict mountain cabin spew out into an aspen and pine forest in the remote northern Colorado Rocky Mountains.
click for purchase information

Window of Green
The bare framing of an abandoned mountain cabin creates a triptych of green aspens and pine. Northern Colorado Rocky Mountains
click for purchase information

They Left
There is a stark contrast between an abandoned mountain cabin in ruins and the green aspen forest that surrounds it. The desolation begs one to wonder why they left their remote mountain paradise. Northern Colorado Rocky Mountains
click for purchase information

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

My Photography at the Lincoln Center 2011 Hall of Gifts Show

I must apologize for my absence here. Some of you may know that I moved this autumn, and then I jumped right in and got ready for an arts and crafts show in Fort Collins, Colorado that was a week ago. Here I am, the end result of my hard work and preparations. I am in the process of downloading new photography and will share the results soon. In the meantime, I hope you are healthy, happy, and enjoying your day. Cheers!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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

Ocean Rush

The roar of pounding surf filled the world as I stood on the precipice looking down at the churning surf. It washed my thoughts out to sea with each crashing wave and left me free. The shutter clicked and time stopped to be savored again in a more simple setting. This photo takes me back to that feeling of space, serenity, and calm. I hope it does for you too.

Ocean Rush
The mighty Pacific Ocean crashes into the rocky shore
of California at Bodega Bay.
purchase information

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh

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