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

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

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