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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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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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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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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Rocky Mountain Beach on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado

Walking along the Roaring Fork River in Colorado is a beautiful experience. You are never quite sure what you will see. It can be turbulent and wild creating a roar to the senses like in this waterfall photograph. Or it can be serene and lovely like this particular image where the river quiets down and nestles in the rocks.

Rocky Mountain Beach

The Roaring Fork River is banked by rocky granite outcrops and a woodland pine forest.

Roaring Fork River, Pitkin County, Colorado

rocky mountain river art

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A Waterfall on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado

Traveling up to Independence Pass in Colorado, the road follows the Roaring Fork River. The narrow road twists and turns without many places to stop, but we finally found a place to pull off so that I could shoot some photography.  Setting off down a beaten path I found a rocky escarpment above the tumbling river. I arrived just at the moment a young man jumped into this pool from the opposite rocks. I watched in astonishment as he climbed out of the water and waited to see if he would do it again so I could take a picture. He stood there for quite awhile and I finally yelled at him, "Are you going to go again?" He replied, "No! It's too cold!" So alas, no brave young man appears in my photo.

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Waterfall Pool

The river rock cliffs and cascading water of the Roaring Fork River near Aspen, Colorado.

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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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  rocky mountain elk art

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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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Blue Moon 2012

The expression "once in a blue moon" means a rare event. And indeed a blue moon is a rare event. The definition of a blue moon according to Merriam-Webster is "a second full moon in a calendar month," and that only happens seven times in a 19 year cycle. 

As a child I'd heard this expression many times and always wanted to see a blue moon. Blue being my favorite color and the full moon a beautiful celestial event, I could not imagine a prettier site. So the first time a blue moon happened when I was old enough to know, I waited outside expectantly for the moon to rise. Imagine my confusion when the moon was still a luminous pearly white! 

We will be experiencing a "blue moon" this Friday, August 31, 2012. I will have to go check again, just to make sure it is not a cornflower blue. Maybe just in my imagination. 

 

Moon Fog 

A full moon rises in the night sky over an ancient cottonwood tree twisting in the blue gray fog.

 

 

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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

 

Also available on Etsy 

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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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