Rocky Mountain Elk at Sundown

Nothing says autumn to me like bugling elk in Rocky Mountain National Park.  These two bachelors were taking the night off as the sun started to set.  They were with a group of about six other mature bull elk who were all bedding down for the night.  The alpine meadow was so serene and quiet, I could have watched them for hours.  

Visiting the park reminds me instantly of my place in the natural world; no more important or less important than any of the majestic creatures that share this beautiful world with me.  I would like to take each of you with me to witness this miracle of a planet, but I will settle for sharing a photo.  I hope you enjoy it!

Elk Sundown 

Two mature bull elks bed down for the evening in an alpine meadow as the sun goes down. 

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

 

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

2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West

My Colorado photography studio is featuring a 2011 wall calendar of my western landscape photography. I have chosen photographs from Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, and Olympic National Park that follow the seasons of the year in beautiful glossy full color.

"2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West" is a limited printing of twenty and each calendar is signed. It makes a great gift for the outdoors enthusiast and the nature lovers in your family. Click on any of the following images or links to purchase your copies today!

This calendar was produced using recycled content paper and soy based inks to protect the environment.

2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West
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2011 Wall Calendar - Back View
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2011 Wall Calendar - Month Sample
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Copper Cascades, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

There is something soothing about the sound of water trickling over rock. It is a natural background for deep thought and meditation. It has the power to transport and instantly relax. This wild mountain creek is the beginning of the Fall River in Rocky Mountain National Park. I can imagine by now, with the snow steadily falling outside, that it is frozen in an icy cold beauty. Its voice has been silenced, but I know that just as nature awakens in the spring its music will return.

Copper Cascades
Sun glistening rivulets of water cascade over a russet colored rock in coppery streams of color in a dynamic wild mountain river. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Rocky Mountain National Park Landscapes - Lawn Lake Trail

On July 15, 1982 an earthen dam in Rocky Mountain National Park failed resulting in the death of three campers and $31 million in property damage in Estes Park, Colorado. The reason I mention the Lawn Lake Flood is because after 28 years the area, though still scarred, also has amazing beauty. This past summer I enjoyed hiking the trail once again. The debris of giant boulders and logs are sprinkled with wildflowers and new life. Mother nature inspires us with her healing resilience once again.

Mountain View
A distant peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado is seen through a pine forest with purple wildflowers blooming near fallen tree trunks.
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Lawn Lake Trail
Purple wildflowers grow amongst rocks and weathered logs on the Lawn Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Autumn in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado makes me think of elk. The young bachelors, who lazily hang out all summer getting strong on the lush new grass, become restless and seek to dethrone an old bull by capturing his females. It is an exciting time in the life of an elk and just as exciting for me to watch. This summer I came upon one of those bachelor herds of young bulls and they were magnificent. Each one looked very capable of stealing a harem for his own. I wonder if any of the challengers have been successful and are now the one to be challenged?

Proud Elk
Bull elk in meadow of alpine tundra at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Pond
A mature bull elk with velvet covered antlers stands by a mountain pond in Rocky Mountain Park, Colorado.
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Mountain Elk
A bull elk walks through the lush green summer tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Elk Meadow

This time of year in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, you might hear a high pitched whistle coming from the alpine meadows. It is the sound of a bull elk calling to claim his harem and challenge other bulls. The sound makes me think of autumn campfires and coyote cries taking me to another era in time, one long long ago. My spirit craves this and I find myself wandering with the herd keeping watch and feeling alive. Sights sounds smells mingle in the primal musk of procreation and life. Nature continues.

Elk Meadow
A bull elk is found walking through an alpine meadow. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Flower
A bull elk is grazing on purple flowers in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Elk Herd Resting
An elk herd is resting in a high alpine summer meadow with snow patched mountains all around. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Wandering with Wapiti

It was a perfect winter day to drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the 50s. Even the wind was not blowing hard which is unusual in the winter months at high altitude. My personal mission was to find wapiti. I asked the friendly ranger at the entrance station where the elk herd was but she did not know. So I drove to one of two places that I knew the herd usually wintered. As I drove down the bumpy dirt road into Moraine Park there was not an elk to be seen. Disappointed I almost turned around to head to the other wintering meadow, Upper Beaver Meadows. Instead I decided to get out of the truck and walk to Cub Lake.

The trail was snow packed and slippery. I had not really intended on bushwhacking, so without gators and crampons, my attention was on my feet. I stopped to take in the view and noticed in the far distance across the meadow was the whole herd of over two hundred animals stretched out in a long line. My excitement rising and ill equipped feet forgotten, I left the trail plunging into knee deep snow and started toward the herd. It took some time to reach them. I approached slowly as I did not want to alarm any dominant males hanging around. Eventually two large bulls spotted me and started in my direction. Being polite, I crouched down behind some brush and waited for them to disregard me. This process went on for awhile and by then the weak winter sun was disappearing behind the ridge casting a lovely light on the river birch behind the herd. I stopped and watched as they all started to bed down for the night. It was a day to remember.

Wapiti Sepia
A dominant bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park guards his harem protectively, keeping watch as I in turn watch him. This fine art photograph has been altered to give it the look of a vintage photo that could have been taken when Rocky Mountain National Park was first established in 1915.
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Wapiti Dusk
As the sun begins to set behind the nearby moraine in Rocky Mountain National Park the North American wapiti, or elk, begin to settle down for the night as the sunset lights the river birch behind them.
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The Girls
A group of elk cows, one pair looking to be a mother and daughter, watch closely for predators in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Pussy Willows in Rocky Mountain National Park

Pussy willow is a name given to the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Before the male catkins come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as "pussies". The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring.

These cute little fuzzy buds remind me of my childhood. My Mom was very good at seasonal decorating with whatever grew beside the road and pussy willows were always in a spring bouquet. I used to love to stroke the furry little "paws" and imagine that someday I would have a real kitty.

Do you have a memory connected to pussy willows? Which shot do you like the best? I'd love to hear from you.

If you are interested in purchasing information for Pussy Willows just click the link. Thanks!

Sunday Morning Gallery - Splash!

I am an earth mama with a water spirit heart. I guess that makes me mud! Living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains gives me sustenance for my earth side. Their solid permanence gives me strength. But once in awhile my water spirit thirsts for salty oceans, serene lakes, and rivers wet and wild. I have not had my ocean fix recently but instead have found untamed waters and calm shores right here in Colorado.

The first two photos were taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on a summer hike next to the St. Vrain River. It has been my favorite river in the park since I first discovered it in 1975. And as the surrounding terrain changes from fires and natural selection, the river still rages down the steep mountainside careening over the same rocks. I find timeless energy there.

The last photo is of Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. It is about four miles east of my mountain home and I can see it out my windows with the morning sun reflecting golden off its surface or a full moon making it a pool of pale light.