Country Rust - Old Rusty Barn Doors

It was our first day driving.  We started out from northern Colorado and headed south on our way to Sedona, Arizona. We had packed our cooler with tasty munchies and just gone over Raton Pass into New Mexico.  It was time to satisfy our hunger and take a break when we saw a dirt road heading off the highway.  So of course being the adventurers we are we turned off to explore and search for a shady spot for lunch. We did not find that shade, but we did find this abandoned old barn with a set of three rusty metal doors. Who could resist!

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Country Rust

Rusty metal door photography, of three sliding barn doors rusted to a beautiful russet patina.

Raton, New Mexico

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Happy Holidays to All

Wishing each of you the very best over the holidays and throughout the year.  May you find the perfect way to fulfilling all of your dreams. Sometimes you only need to open a door.

Happy Holidays!

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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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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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First Snow on Maroon Bells, Colorado

The first snow of the season always holds that childhood magic for me. The quiet falling flakes drift down in spirals to land gently on my nose melting, but leaving me to feel wonder at the uniqueness of each one. We have not had that first snow in town yet, but on mountain tops across Colorado it has come. I see it up there. I long to go there. But not even the eagles, bears, or mountain goats dare to stay in that harsh environment after the snow starts. I settle for gazing out my window.

First Snow 

The first snow of the season on Maroon Bells, Colorado.

 

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maroon bells art

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Colorado's Crown Jewel, Maroon Bells in Autumn

The morning we drove out to Maroon Bells near Aspen it was threatening rain or snow depending on your elevation. I wanted to see the 'Bells' again even if the weather was not conducive for photography. The air was that special flavor of high altitude crisp and the temperature was definitely on the chilly side. But the moment we arrived I knew I would be granted a beautiful opportunity.  There were a few other photographers there as well. There always are and we shared our tips and gadgets as we watched the clouds alternately close in and slowly part for a brief glimpse of the Bell's first snow. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did being there.  Autumn Bells   Famous Maroon Bells gives a brilliant fall display of Colorado aspens peaking in golden color. The cloud shrouded mountain top has just received the seasons first snow, while the lake mirrors the lovely scenic vista. Maroon Bells, Colorado   jfids7590fjg936bjp0459uu89U7NJ9747hjmdfur894hgiophPY3756J8548567UHUY6Ii8v&$$#kngi84ygfrthihg746gniorthj9rtuh As always, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts in my comments here or on my Facebook Page and Twitter Feed.

Autumn Tree

Autumn inspires poetry.  It is the last bloom of a spent summer before the quiet rest of winter. The economy of words in poetry only makes them sweeter.  Enjoy a classic ode to autumn by Walt Whitman.

Lo, ’tis autumn,
Lo, where the trees, deeper green, yellower and redder,
Cool and sweeten Ohio’s villages with leaves fluttering in the moderate wind,
Where apples ripe in the orchards hang and grapes on the trellis’d vines,
(Smell you the smell of the grapes on the vines? Smell you the buckwheat where the bees were lately buzzing?)

-- Walt Whitman 

To read "Come Up from the Fields Father" in entirety click this link.

Autumn Tree 

Autumn tree photo, of a majestic tree dressed in pumpkin orange fall leaves. Fort Collins, Colorado

 

 

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Polar Bear Paws

It had been years since my last visit to the zoo. This time was no different from my past visits with the exception of some new exhibits. My reaction was the same too. I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy that the animals were safe and protected. Happy to see them. But sad that they were not free to live wild. 

 I would love for this to be a perfect world where the wild ones can live safely in their natural environments, but that is not the case today. In the meantime, I like to think of zoos as modern day arks. A place of safe haven for endangered animals. 

The polar bear is one such endangered animal. They are disappearing at an alarming rate due to melting ice. They use the ice for hunting and resting when out on the sea.  They starve to death when they can not hunt.  I have chosen to show only a piece of their magnificent beauty, because they will never be whole until we can protect them in the wild.

Bear Paw 

A close up shot of the giant paws of a polar bear. Denver Zoo, Colorado 

You can see more of my work on Etsy or Fine Art America. 

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Raven

Ravens have had a place in many different legends from numerous cultures. In the Norse legend the god Odin had a pair of ravens who were his messengers. In the Middle Ages they were harbingers of death and associated with wicked priests. In Native American lore ravens represent the fool and the wise one; darkness and light; death and creation. 

Ravens remind me of playful intelligence. I love to watch them. They will look into your eyes thoughtfully, follow you on a walk, and croak their encouragements in many guttural sounds. If you listen long enough I believe you start to understand the difference between greetings and curses. Yes, I definitely believe that they have emotions too. 

 I have watched them many times. They can dive and soar in free abandonment or fight and claw an enemy. I have also learned that they can be accomplices with hunters. They have been known to perch above prey cawing loudly and drawing the attention of a lion or wolf to kill a deer knowing that they will have the left overs. This is one resourceful bird. So the next time you see a raven or crow give them a little nod of respect or the trickster may just play a prank on you. 

Raven 

On a recent trip to the American southwest this raven seemed to take an interest in me and my camera. He posed for many shots but I liked this one the best. 

You can see more of my work on Etsy or Fine Art America.

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A Morning of Pink Tulips

It was an early spring morning. As I wandered sleepily down the stairs to make the morning coffee my eye caught the sweet pink blush of dawn painting the delicate blooms of a bouquet of tulips on the table. The combination of soft dewy light and natural pink color of the flowers was irresistible to me. Feelings of sweet childhood memories filtered through my mind; soft blankets, pink bunnies, evening clouds, and fragrant blossoms. It was a moment to catch and freeze in time. I hope you enjoy it. 

Pink Tulip Light 3 

Pink Tulip Light 1

 

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Southwestern Red Country

I am having a love affair. It has been enticing me for many years off and on, but has come to full bloom this past spring. I am truly in love with the desert southwest. I love the sienna canyons with their majestic towering cliffs. I love the hardy desert blooms that struggle and wait patiently for that monsoon rain. I love the bluest of skies and the spectacular sunsets. And maybe most of all, I love the vastness of the landscapes. It puts you in your place instantly. You can not help but gaze in wonderment at the grand glory of it all. 

Thanks for dropping by! I would love to hear your comments.

Red Country 

Wild reservation horses graze on the sparse grasses next to a ruddy spring creek under the watch of giant canyon walls in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.

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Southwestern Cliff Dwellers

The vast and towering red sandstone canyon walls dwarfed the many roomed pueblo of the ancient Anasazi ruins. Evidence of handholds and ancient ladders were gone. Petroglyphs and walls remained. And so did human remains and artifacts of a past time. 

As I stood there looking up from far below my mind wandered through the unapproachable rooms. Wild turkeys would have been running about eating insects and ready to sound the alarm at the approach of predators. A mother was grinding corn with her children playing around her. The father was just back from a successful hunting trip, smoking with the men, and talking about the good fortune that would provide for all the families in the pueblo. 

For over a thousand years life was good for them. Archaeologists speculate that climate change was the reason for them leaving. There is overwhelming evidence that the exodus continued in waves for hundreds of years. If you would like to know more about this subject I highly recommend reading, "House of Rain," by Craig Childs. It is not only informative but quite fun in an "Indiana Jones" kind of way. 

I would love to hear from you so remember to leave me a comment.  Cheers!

Cliff Dwelling 

Southwestern cliff dwelling, of an ancient prehistoric pueblo of the Anasazi in the American southwest nestled into a towering red rock cliff. 

Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

 

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Southwestern Canyon Horses

There are still places in the west where time seems to have stopped. Canyon de Chelly, Arizona is one such place. On our hot trek down the steep canyon walls we stopped often to take in the lovely valley below and rest in the scarce shade.

When we reached the bottom there was a small green stream meandering across the sandy floor with a small herd of reservation horses nearby. I watched the herd until I noticed this mother and her foal.

They were wary of my approach so I crouched on a rock and watched until they became accustomed to my presence. Mom paused for just a second, turning to give her growing baby a nuzzle of reassurance, then they walked by me. It is moments like this one that I find so rewarding in shooting photography. You just never know what sweet surprise nature will reveal to you.

 

Reservation Horses 

Two reservation horses, a mother and her foal, nuzzle each other in reassurance in a southwestern canyon. Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

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Copyright ©Julie Magers Soulen 

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The Face of the Southwest

The long line of school children stretched out on the steep and dusty trail for a half mile. They clumped into little groups giggling, resting in the shade and watching the teachers. The only thing different about this group of kids was that they were going to see their own native American history of prehistoric ruins in Canyon de Chelly. 

Once they all reached the ruins most were continuing on with their private discussions, ignoring their surroundings, and just glad to be out of the classroom. But this one little boy in the straw hat was different. He was thinking hard about something, perhaps his own people's history from long ago. 

 

Pueblo Boy

A native American boy gazes pensively at the ground while on a field trip to Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. The ruins in the background could well be his ancestors' home.

 

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Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

Spider Rock. I kept hearing about this place in Canyon de Chelly and could not visualize what a spider rock would look like. When we arrived at the pull out and I took in the view I got it. You have to be a spider to climb that rock! 

We arrived in the late morning and the lighting was not optimal but I shot anyway. The bottom photo is actually two shots "stitched" together to get a wider view. I knew I had to come back when the sun was getting low and capture that beautiful towering red rock at sunset. The first picture is just that. I hope you like my two examples of Spider Rock. 

 I would love to hear which one you like and why. Thanks for stopping by! 

Spider Rock Evening 

Southwestern canyon photo, of the beautiful red sandstone towers at Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona on a perfect evening. A great way to add the beauty of the southwest to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

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Spider Rock Morning

Southwestern canyon photo, of the beautiful red sandstone towers at Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona on a perfect morning. A great way to add the beauty of the southwest to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

purchase information

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A Wish for Spring Cherry Blossoms

Spring! A time of renewal, rebirth, rejuvenation! After a winter of stark whites and tired browns the sudden resurgence of green to the landscape is uplifting. When the first tiny little buds appeared on the tree outside the kitchen window of my new home I was watching with excited anticipation. I had thought from the shape and bark of the tree that it might be an ash. But as I watched those buds unfurl it soon became apparent that this tree was going to blossom. And then I had the quick realization that one of my wishes had come true. I had a cherry tree. 

 

Spring 

The first touch of green adorns a springtime cherry tree. 

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Cherry Blossoms 

Sweet fragrant cherry blossoms on a sunny spring day. 

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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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