Winter King

This picture of an elk was photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park in a brilliant green summer alpine meadow. I did not like the bright green background and decided to make the photo into something a little bit different using digital art techniques. I thought he would look so handsome on an  antique tapestry hanging in a medieval castle and was inspired by that thought. There is even an old English legend that fits about a "Winter King" haunting Windsor Forest during the cold winter months. He is a ghost called Herne the Hunter and was reportedly seen at midnight with antlers on his head. The earliest written account of this legend was in 1597 by none other than William Shakespeare.

Sometime a keeper here in Windsor Forest,
Doth all the winter-time, at still midnight,
Walk round about an oak, with great ragg'd horns;
And there he blasts the tree, and takes the cattle,
And makes milch-kine yield blood, and shakes a chain
In a most hideous and dreadful manner.
You have heard of such a spirit, and well you know
The superstitious idle-headed eld
Receiv'd, and did deliver to our age,
This tale of Herne the Hunter for a truth.
— William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor

Winter King

Winter king photo, is a digitally created image of an elk leaning over festive red berry branches in an antique vintage style print. The perfect way to add an "old world" woodland style to your home, office, or bedroom decor. 

Rocky Mountain National Park Elk, Colorado, USA

Texture courtesy of Pixel Dust Photo Art

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

A Winter Neighborhood Walk

Some mornings are very cold in Colorado but we are lucky enough to have the sun shining most days, which makes it "feel" warmer, at least psychologically. My dogs, the hound and the Aussie, will not let me skip their favorite part of a day. They sit expectantly at my feet in the studio until I relent. I'm usually very eager to join them outside, but his particular morning was colder than most and I was not looking forward to it. Making the best of it, I threw my camera around my neck, grabbed the leashes and off we went. Here are a couple of shots walking through our new neighborhood from that morning. 

 

Neighborhood Walk 

An old pine creates woodland magic in a suburban neighborhood. 

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Jazz Hands 

It's not the Arctic and she isn't doing a jazz dance, but this woman was getting ready to wave and to pet my dogs on a very cold morning in Colorado.

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

A Cold Winter Run on the Prairie

One of the many people I have met on this vast online network is a wonderful young man that served in Afghanistan. He first contacted me about one of my photographs when he was overseas because it reminded him of home. I was honored to donate my work to his locker and he surprised me later by ordering a large version for his family's home when he returned.

The reason this photograph reminds me of him is because he is a long distance runner. Although his usual terrain is desert sand, I could as easily imagine him on this frigid snowy prairie, being just as dedicated to his morning run as this lone runner and his two dogs. So this one is for you Pj. Thanks for being there for all of us.

Runner
A lone runner and his two dogs venture out on a cold winter day on the Cathy Fromme Prairie, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

Minimalist Nature Landscape Photography

The dogs' breath came out in steamy plumes as we walked through the frigid fog of a mountain morning. The sun was just starting to burn off the mists on the snow covered prairie. Tracks of various animals; coyotes, rabbits, weasels, and mice crossed the crusty snow in patterns of pursuit or escape. The wide open space which seemed barren at first glance was full of life. It captured me with its simplicity as nature always does. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Cattail Prairie
The wide open snow covered prairie with a stand of winter cattails and a view of distant mountains is perfect for creating that serene, comforting, artistic feeling in your home, office, or studio. Cathy Fromme Prairie, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

Wishes of Peace and Love

Thank you for visiting my photography blog. I hope you have been enjoying my work and always feel free to leave comments on what you would like to see or any other loving advice. I will be taking a little time off to spend with my family. We will be playing games, drinking hot chocolate, and celebrating being together. I hope you too will enjoy your special flavor of celebration with your loved ones. See you next year!

Wishing each of you a beautiful holiday season abundant with peace and love in your life.

Love, Julie

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

December 2011 Rose Sparkle Free Desktop Wallpaper Calendar

It is official. We are into the holiday season of 2011. This one seemed to sneak up on me, but I am happy to jump right in. I enjoy the holidays; the decorating, the baking, the giving. I want to wish each of you all the best during this winter season of celebration. Remember to cherish it all, love your best, and spread cheer where you may!

download your free desktop wallpaper calendar for December 2011
1024x768
1280x800
1280x1024

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


Also available as a fine art print. Perfect for holiday decorating!

Rose Sparkle

Winter Red Rose Flower Photo
8x10 Colorado Fine Art Photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

Redstone Winter - Colorado Landscape Photography

The winter wind is sharp today but the sun is bright as I walk down the dusty dry dirt road. It is unusual to be so dry in January. The warm sun is welcome none the less and takes the sting out of the cold air. The white bare trunks of the cottonwood trees catch my attention as they stand out prominently against the red sandstone cliff that gives this valley its name, Redstone Canyon. My home.

Redstone Winter
The valley of Redstone Canyon is named for the beautiful red sandstone cliffs found there. A winter stand of cottonwood trees with their white bark showing prominently provides a contrast against the sandstone cliff.
click here for purchase information on this 11x14 photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Icy Forest in Northern Colorado

My boots crunched on the icy crust of snow. My breath steamed. The dogs' whiskers stood out in frosty contrast to their dark coats. My camera was inside my coat, warm and ready for the shot I was after. I had arrived. I took my camera out, pulled off my mittens, and fumbled with the settings as my hands stiffened in the frigid air. Satisfied that I had captured the moment, I put the camera back inside my coat and pulled my mittens back on over numb fingers. Calling to the romping dogs I turned and then headed back up the steep incline with thoughts of returning to my warm home and crackling fire. You may want to have a cup of hot chocolate ready when you view this shot.

Icy Forest
A snowy Rocky Mountain pine forest with an icy patina in Northern Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Winter Garden

The winter garden is monochromatic unlike the chaotic cacophony of color in the summer garden. A frosted leaf or branch becomes the focal point, etching an abstract pattern against a cedar wall. A single dried flower against a backdrop of white invites one to look closer to see the abstract beauty of a seed. Have you been to a winter garden? What have you seen?

Frosted Coneflower
A single dried and frosty coneflower stands bravely against the elements of winter.
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Icy Cherry
The branches of a young Canadian choke cherry, lacy with frost, trace intricate lines before a cedar wall.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Crystalline Roses

Crystalline roses sparkled in the pale morning light. The fog drifted through the trees coating every leaf and bud with a shimmering cold frost. My breath steamed. My heart quieted. Every season has its own exquisite grace. I had discovered the shy secret beauty of a cold winter's day. A rose. How unexpected.

Rose Sparkle
Icy and sparkling in the dim winter light, a cluster of ruby red rose hips highlight the winter garden.
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Crystal Rose
Sparkling and frozen, cherry red rose hips dangle like Christmas ornaments from the old red twig rose bush on a frosty winter day.
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Crystalline Roses Set
This pair of sparkling cherry red rose hips photographs will bring the beauty of a winter garden inside your home.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

February 2010 Calendar for your Computer

Can you believe that it is almost February 2010? It seems like we just finished the holidays. But it is true, next week it will be February and I wanted to give you another desktop wallpaper with the new month on it. I hope you enjoy!

download this free desktop wallpaper calendar for February 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!

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Natural Objects of Art

Nature is my inspiration. Do you remember when you were a child and every little flower and bug in your backyard fascinated you? It is still that way with me when I allow it. That is when I pull out my camera and recapture the natural world of my childhood. My recent photos have sparked a debate in my family as to which one is the "best" or a personal favorite. Tell me which one you prefer.

Mahogany Winter
A mountain mahogany bush with its russet winter leaves contrasts with the soft tones of a fresh snow in Colorado.
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Winter Blues
Bare winter branches thrust up through the snow in a spot of sunlight filtered by green pines.
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Frozen Granite
A large snow covered granite boulder shelters a lone golden stem of mullein, a remnant of summer past.

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Abstractions in Winter

A winter's walk turns into a meditation. As I amble down the narrow snow banked lane the quietness of the forest seeps into me. The mind's chatter of the many things to do fall away and are replaced with an eternal moment. The common thorny brush turns into a work of art against the fresh snow. A single pine needle catches my attention and becomes center stage, highlighted by the soft glow of a winter sun. I pause and gaze at the beauty, my attention so totally focused on the pine needle that time freezes along with my breath.

Thorns in Snow
A jagged bare bush pokes through the fresh snow providing a contrast between the soft snow and sharp thorns.
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Solitaire
A single pine needle rests lightly on a bed of icy crystals producing a moment of zen.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Sunset on Water

The holidays are past. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and a great New Years Day celebration too. I am rested and ready to jump back into photography. I have many goals for this new year and am happy that I have all of you to be my guides for this journey. I appreciate your comments on my work more than you know. So without further adieu...

The sun sets early in northern Colorado at the beginning of the year. In the summer four-thirty in the afternoon would be early enough in the day for many outdoor activities to still be done. But in the middle of the winter it is time to head for home and sip wine by the fire. That is exactly what I had planned on doing when I drove the serpentine road around the frozen lake. But my eye kept wandering from the road to the beautiful light reflected on the ice so I pulled the truck over to the roadside to take a few shots. I hope you enjoy the serene vista of a frozen lake at sunset in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Mahogany Ice
A hillside covered in Mountain Mahogany drops steeply to an ice covered lake reflecting the setting sun.
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Sunset on Water
The approaching evening of a cold winter day paints the frozen Rocky Mountain lake in the subtle tones of a peach and pink alpine glow.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen