Hold That Pose

A male buck seemingly posing for me on my drive home from the dentist after a late Fall snowstorm on Lookout Mountain.

Dawn Patrol

Dawn dwindles as dissolving darkness gives way to the vibrant glow of the sun as it creeps up from beneath the horizon. A buck meanders without trepidation among the cornfields enjoying the last moments of placidity before the world gets busier. These cherished moments. An introverts charging station. Alone. Inspired. In Tune. Photo taken yesterday (11/17/2018) near Barr Lake on a backyard morning safari.

Where The Buffalo Roam

A buffalo roams on a snowy spring day in Genesee, Colorado. Amazing this is the last day of April. This is the only city-owned park in the world where wild Buffalo roam free. They are direct descendants from wild buffalo brought from Yellowstone when bison were on the brink of extinction due to hunting. The Denver park was established in 1914.

Inversion Blanket

Sunrise on 12-30-2017 was one of the finest I've ever witnessed in Colorado. Denver was wrapped by a cold inversion blanket creating an absolute masterpiece. This one will stick with me.

Elk Spring

Two make elks checking in with each other to make sure they are keeping warm in a Spring snowstorm on Lookout Mountain, Colorado. Bull elk shed their antlers ever year usually from February to April. As testosterone levels decrease osteoclasts cells form where the skull and antler meet. These cells reabsorb calcium from the antler, weakening the joint between the skull and antler until the antler drops. The fallen antler provide calcium, protein and potassium for smaller mammals. The bull elks quickly begin growing new ones.

Radiate

Morning sun, frigid temps, fresh snow and hot steam rising from the springs creating a wonderful radiant view.

Mouse's Field of View.

So this is what it must be like to be a mouse. Not a bad 'field 'of view. Barr Lake, Colorado sunrise.

Gold Miner

A tribute to the mining days at the National Western Stock Show in down town Denver

Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is a true gem in Colorado. This travertine lake is a relatively easy hike from Glenwood Canyon and the views don't leave you hanging.

Pining

Pining for the moon. Pine needles silhouetting a full moon coming over the horizon from atop Lookout Mountain.

Transformation

Amazing what dynamic light can do to water. The golden hour in Waterton Canyon transforming the river.

Dancing Fog

A rarity in Colorado, inversion on the Front Range lends to fog mysteriously dancing through the hills creating dramatic contrasts.

All That Glitters Isn't Gold

Beautiful colors on Buffalo Pass above Steamboat as the last gasps of Fall cling on before Winter makes a grand entrance.

South Boulder Creek

South Boulder creek covered in a beautiful snowy blanket as it descends El Dorado Canyon.

Locks of Love

A woman pauses for a moment during the National Western Stock Show Parade in Downtown Denver. This simple photo captures the special connection between this woman and her horse.

Nature's Fireworks

Lightning strikes over downtown Denver on Friday September 16, 2016. This photo was taken from the back porch of my parents house on Lookout Mountain.

Full Steam Ahead

A hint of fall remains as the Georgetown locomotive churns out the steam preparing to take visitors on the famous loop on October 6, 2016. This narrow gauge railroad has been attracting visitors to the Colorado Rockies since 1884 when the loop was first opened.

Union Station Parade

Once a year, downtown Denver hosts the National Western Stock Show Parade. It's always quite the sight and a beautiful tribute to the heritage of this great state.

First Flatiron

First Flatiron in Boulder 3.27.2018. A personal favorite. As I have gained more and more experience in photography, it's increasingly more difficult to capture a fresh, unique and artistic photo I love...but this is one of them (looks like a painting). It's ethereal. I waited an hour and a half for a 10 second clearing and had the camera ready. Patience paid off. Colorado, you continue to inspire me.

Long's Peak Sunrise

Sunrise over Long's Peak 12-18-2016. I must say, I am pretty proud of this one. Not only did it turn out well (I hope you agree), but it took quite a bit of work. I woke up at 4 a.m. and drove to a secret spot I have always been drawn to. I parked the car, and trudged up a steep snow packed hill that I should have probably had crampons on for about 40 minutes. The temperature was a balmy -13, and the wind was whipping from 30-50mph. I have no idea what the wind chill was, but probably -30 range. It was cold. Damn cold. Even for me, the guy who perpetually wears Chacos on cold treks around the world. I setup the tripod and got the camera situated and did a few test exposures, and the battery died in 5 minutes. Further illustrates how cold it was. Fortunately, I carry a few batteries. Then, it was a waiting game. For roughly an hour in the dark, I did the chicken dances, jumping jacks, high kicks ...you name it..waiting. The wind was still whipping, I didn't know if I would get clear views. Then, instantly...the sky lit up and provided colors only Mother Nature so frequently fashions. I re-dialed in my ISO, shutter speed, aperature. All set. I then tried to push the shutter. My hand was too damn cold to press the button, and the button was partially frozen stuck. I knew the light would last for a brief moment, so I frantically toggled the camera to turn on my remote trigger and then dug through my bag to find it. This is the result. Again, I am pretty proud of this one. Photography teaches me so much about patience, discomfort, observing and being absolutely blown away by our world when you get out there. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Yellow Leaf Road

Last gasps of Fall cling on to the aspens on Ohio Pass Road right before snow rolled in officially bringing in Winter.

Stormy Mammatus

The mountains are calling, and I must go." John Muir's famous adage is ubiquitous on Instagram; however, for me, it was..."the storms on the plains are calling, and I must go." Ever since I was a little kid, when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a storm chaser. Clearly, I didn't pursue this professionally, but storms have always excited my very being. I get giddy like the guy on the weather channel who sits outside in hurricanes doing live broadcasts. On 5-8-17, Colorado weather was shaping up to be buzzing with activity. For the first time, I gathered up the courage and set out solo in my truck for the Palmer Divide (where the hot spot was indicated by radars and other storm chasers). Many will probably call this naive or plain stupid...having no experience chasing storms and just setting off, and you know, I really don't have a counter argument other than I have always felt this deep urge to pursue extreme weather and am confident in myself to make smart and rational decisions in moments of stress. Perhaps another word for it is stubborn. I don't condone it necessarily if you are unsure of yourself and haven't thought it all out and done your homework. All told, yesterday was amazing! I chased out my childhood dreams, and I was hooked. I think it is in the blood...being born on the plains in Nebraska. Clearly, storms cause devastation, but their true power is remarkable and humbles every single one of us. It is amazing to witness it first-hand. Pictured here are some amazing mammatus clouds near Deer Trail. A few minutes later, I captured a funnel cloud that didn't touch down but was just mesmerizing to see. More photos of it and others on the day to come. I look forward to studying up and getting back out there.

Flare

Sun flares in the morning penetrating the icy trees thawing them out and basking them in a bit of warmth.

Mt. Evans Sunrise

Light strikes the top of Mt. Evans from the east on a winter day in February, 2017. Mt. Evans is the highest paved road in North America, but it is close throughout the winter.