Dream Home in Colorado

How many of you have dreams of living in that perfect home in that perfect setting? It could be in the mountains or on a seashore or in a pine forest.  Hold on to your dreams.  I dreamed of living in the mountains of Colorado since the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains. My husband and I never let go of that dream.  It took many years, but with that focus and intent we made it happen. First we moved to Colorado from the Midwest, then we found a way to purchase some land, and finally we built our dream home.  We lived in our mountain dream home for over 12 years before deciding we were finished with that dream and it was time for a new one. So follow your heart.  It can lead you to the most unexpected and happy places.  This log cabin in Aspen, Colorado was once someone's dream before it became a reality.  It is here to remind you that dreams really do come true.

Cabin Dreams

Architectural photography of a log cabin in the woods on a hillside in Aspen, Colorado.

log cabin art

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Old West Landscape, Fog On The Mesa

Remember watching those old westerns on TV with dad? It was a Saturday afternoon favorite of mine. It's no wonder that I migrated west from Ohio long ago, to quench my thirst for the vast western landscapes. When I was processing this photo it just begged me to make it look aged, to fit in with that Old West feeling that still resides in my memory.

Fog on the Mesa

Landscape photography, done in an Old West style, of a foggy mountain landscape with a bare tree and red mesa.

Colorado Rocky Mountains west of Fort Collins, Colorado

old west landscape photos

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Rocky Mountain Waterfall on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado

Can you imagine sitting on this rock, listening to the rush and tumble of the never ending water? Do you ever wonder where the water comes from? I always wonder in amazement that the strong flow never stops. This waterfall on the Roaring Fork River near Aspen, Colorado is not very far from the Continental Divide. The winter skies bring snow and the slow melt sustains the mountain rivers until the cycle begins again. And again. And again.

“Do you have patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?” - Lao Tzu

Rocky Waterfall

An amazing Colorado Rocky Mountain waterfall cascades over boulders and rocks into an aqua blue pool. 

Roaring Fork River near Aspen, Colorado

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Pawnee Buttes on the High Plains of Colorado

Walking out to the buttes on Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado can be full of surprises especially with unpredictable spring weather. This day there were storms rolling through which made for great photography potential. Without any cover or place to retreat we were ever mindful of the lightning that accompanies such storms and probably stayed a bit too long. But the grandeur of the vista and sky were simply too hard to resist. Do you ever indulge yourself in potential risks to shoot photography?

Pawnee Buttes

Two buttes rise above the high plains of Colorado with a stormy sky as a spring storm rolls over the grasslands.

Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

butte art

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Rustic Mountain Outhouse in Independence, Colorado

Last September I took a trip to Aspen, Colorado. On the way up to the Continental Divide east of Aspen there is a little ghost town called Independence. I took this photograph of the outhouse with a great view there. It could be one of the highest outhouses in the USA at 10,830 feet elevation.  I did it in two versions; color, and black and white. I like both versions but for different reasons. I think the color version has better depth of field. However, the black and white fits the subject matter. Which do you like?

I'll be sharing more Colorado photography shot in Independence soon! Thanks in advance for your comments and shares.

Mountain Privy

Colorado outhouse photo, of a primitive rustic privy located in the alpine ghost town of Independence, Colorado. A perfect way to add the rustic beauty of the west to your home, office, or bathroom decor.

Mountain Privy BW

Colorado outhouse photo in black and white.

Independence, Colorado.

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Sky God

Waiting.  Watching.  Floating.  Listening.

The mountain sits.
The watcher waits.
The clouds slowly slowly slowly drift.

The watcher waits.
The mountain looks back unmoved.

 
Sky God 

A rugged peak punches a hole through the drifting clouds at Maroon Bells, 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.

 

 more 

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.

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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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

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

Pawnee National Grassland - Colorado Landscape Photography

 

Clouds fascinate me. I find myself gazing into the Colorado blue sky often. The day we chose to drive out to the Pawnee National Grassland was threatening to be stormy, but on we drove. I was rewarded for my perseverance with some of the most dramatic skies I have ever photographed. It will always be a shoot I remember. 

So if you are ever contemplating turning around in your life because it gets a little stormy you might just miss the time of your life. I know I would have.

 

Pawnee Buttes 1 

A scenic western landscape photo, of sandy rugged buttes rising under a dramatic stormy spring sky on the High Plains of Colorado. Perfect for adding the beauty of the west to your home, office, or bedroom decor. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado 

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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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

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 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

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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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Prairie Homestead in Colorado

 

The only sound heard is the wind rustling through the tall dry grass of the great western High Plains.  It feels as though you could walk forever and never see another living thing, but perhaps you will be lucky and see a coyote or an antelope.  

Now days black stripes of pavement cut through these vast empty spaces.  The occasional semi truck roars past in a wash of blustery power.  People in a car loaded with luggage wave and are gone.  Then all returns as before.  The soft sigh of wind through grass resumes its murmur and I sigh along with it.

 

Prairie Homestead 

A solitary home is dwarfed by the vast space of the western prairie in the US. 

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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.

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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

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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.