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Showing posts from 2021

Evergreen Lake Trail - A Glowing Marshland

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Evergreen Lake Trail Tracing the irregular contour of a scenic watershed, Evergreen Lake Trail is a looping artery centered in the heart of the foothills. On a hazy, autumn morning the water’s smooth surface faithfully reflects an unusually emerald-colored sky. Other anomalies also occur as the pall of silence evokes an eerie sensation that is unexpected after such a boisterous summer. During this seasonal transformation, the marshland glows with a sheen of vibrant color more vivid than years past. Surprisingly this watery world has remained fluid well into the onset of another mild winter. The predictable cycle of annual weather seems to have shifted so traditional patterns arrive later than normal, leaving the local inhabitants in a state of bewilderment. A scenic watershed A watery world Cycles have shifted Heart of the foothills A glowing marshland A sheen of color A state of bewilderment

Bergen Park Trail - Waiting Anxiously for Winter

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Bergen Park Trail The Bergen Park Trail is a distinct walkway that circumnavigated a very old swath of ponderosa pine forest. The giant trees blot out the sun but some especially resilient rays of light pierce the canopy of sharp needles. The subtle luminescence is responsible for the soft shadows that creep across the summer’s last tufts of tall grass. At the southern section of the green belt, the scenery opens up where a pair of little ponds reflects the scenic backdrop. This mild season seems eternal as there has been hardly a hint of the snow that normally adorns the landscape this time of year. We will wait anxiously for the first big storm that generates the winter weather to which we’ve become so accustomed. Bergen Park Circumnavigates old pine Ponds reflect the backdrop Mild season seems eternal Waiting for a storm

Founders Trail - An Understated Niche

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Founders Trail Stretching through the middle of Elk Meadow, a rugged pathway ascends gradually to the base of Bergen Peak. I don’t know for certain who founded the Founders Trail but I do know it’s a place where authentic beauty can be found. A dispersion of isolated pine trees acts as a gateway to a golden grassland tussled by autumn’s persistent breeze. The stoic guardians are important compositional elements adorning the foreground of fleeting snapshots. The easygoing excursion leads you through a mountain landscape steeped with ever-changing scenery. The tranquil passage exists as an understated niche, branching away quietly from the mainstream. Isolated pine trees A golden grassland A gateway A rugged pathway An understated niche Ever-changing scenery Bergen Peak Authentic beauty Branching away quietly

Elk Meadow - The Cycle of Life

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The cycle of life After this fall’s first snow, pleasant reflections of more comforting times wrestle with an overwrought mind. The former glory of a vivacious Elk Meadow and its adjacent woodland is now nothing but a bittersweet memory. The graceful grassland battled to the very end but eventually succumbed to powerful, natural forces beyond the season’s control. The unsuspecting landscape was swept into a futile murkiness by an icy gust determined to steal an innocent soul. The difficult trauma induced by such transitional change can only be overcome by the passage of precious time. The cycle of life is a callous certainty responsible for happiness and heartbreak but in either case we must possess the strength to carry on. Pleasant reflections Vivacious elk meadow Bittersweet memories An unsuspecting landscape Graceful grassland Transitional change The passage of time Happiness and heartbreak The cycle of life The strength to carry on

The Ranch - A Hard Life

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The ranch It’s a smoky dusk in western Nebraska and as the spectral light begins to dissipate, the checklist of laborious chores comes to completion. Life on the ranch is hard as illustrated by battered grain bins and ragged hay bales but at least it’s not winter when the weather is brutal. The rhythm of life revolves around the horse as this beast of burden is indispensable to running a successful cattle ranch. This important work animal must be properly cared for from head to hoof, attending to its nutrition, hygiene and exercise. Weathered boots adorn the fence posts, signifying the passage of another tough year while the smoldering, prairie sunset marks the conclusion of summer. As darkness descends on the home place, the work day comes to an end and the peacocks go to roost.  The horse is indispensable Peacocks go to roost Ragged hay bales Prairie sunset A hard life Life revolves around the horse

Denver Zoo - A Relaxed Atmosphere

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A relaxed atmosphere On a lazy, summer day at the Denver Zoo, we trekked across the grounds observing animals during their afternoon slumber. Too hot to engage in activity, most of the creatures we saw slept innocently in their comfortable confines. It always makes me feel bad to see wild animals held captive but in many cases it’s an unfortunate but necessary circumstance. The enclosures’s exotic inhabitants were well cared for and appeared content as they exhibited a friendly, playful attitude. I enjoyed roaming around the gardens because I could practice taking pictures in a more controlled environment. I was intent on capturing portraits and usually a theme develops which in this case was sleeping animals. After a busy morning rooting in the mud, red river hogs slept as hard as they live and the king of beasts looked vulnerable as he was laid out casually on a bed of lush grass. In a more touching display, two, tired otters were curled up quietly in a circular position. Whi