Impression Evergreen

Delicate Arch The Delicate Arch is tucked away in an eroded, natural amphitheater that includes sweeping views across a vast expanse to the La Salle Mountains. Reaching Utah’s most iconic landmark requires strenuous effort as the two mile trek to the spectacular location is almost entirely uphill. With a shape more sturdy than delicate, the heavy set vault is truly a masterpiece of nature’s erosional engineering. The rigid, orange rock contrasts sharply with the soft, blue sky, creating artistic compositions from every available angle. Reaching the summit of this unique environment is worth the effort because the difficult journey through time instills appreciation for the desert’s beauty. Hordes of hikers stream through this area but not even the enthusiastic crowds can diminish the enlightenment achieved by attaining this Mecca on the Mesa. A strenuous effort A two mile trek A journey through time Desert beauty Mecca on the Mesa Erosional engineering A natural amphitheater Hordes o

Grizzly Creek Smack dab in the middle of spectacular Glenwood Canyon, Grizzly Creek tumbles down out of the wilderness and collided with the Colorado River. The beautiful confluence occurs within the sheer walls of steep cliffs adorned by a variety of high country botanicals. The rocky creek bed is a complicated conglomeration of boulders, snags and whitewater, revealing an array of sights, sounds and textures. A far away mesa dominates the view but its full profile is partially obscured by the imposing evergreens that tower above the pathway. The scene of last summer’s devastating fire, the scars are still visible but the burn zone is beginning to blend into the vigorous greenery, concealing the catastrophe. Even after such an awful disaster, the watershed remains resilient as Mother Nature has begun to heal her wounds. A spectacular canyon Out of the wilderness Evergreens tower above High country botanicals Beginning to heal A complicated conglomeration An array of sights, sounds a

Flatirons Overlook After a seemingly endless week of bitter cold and unrelenting snow, the fog has lifted revealing a pristine landscape plastered with white powder. Seen from a lofty overlook, Boulder’s mighty Flatirons glitter beautifully in the late morning light. The unusual peaks rise vertically from the end of the receding valley where their sharp shapes are jigsawed into the distant horizon. Streaming across the blue sky, the clouds explode like fireworks celebrating the sun’s triumphant return. There is just enough saturation to make this vivid scene succeed but a more monochrome reflection might add drama to the already spectacular tableau. Processing the pictures in order to express the power of the impression is almost as interesting as experiencing the place in person. A pristine landscape Late morning light A spectacular tableau A monochrome reflection A powerful impression Clouds explode like fireworks

South Table Mountain During a mid-winter morning on South Table Mountain, the treacherous trail was a muddy mess. Unusually tepid temperatures had triggered rapid snowmelt, softening the dark earth. Rising out of an authentic western town called Golden, Colorado, the natural turret was a lovely landmark. The steep ascent was distinguished by long switchbacks that snaked across a dormant hillside. Up on a rounded ridge, yellow grasses blew in a soft breeze and contrasted sharply with the clear, blue sky. Easy to imagine I'd stepped back in time, the peaceful approach was a true frontier experience. Before reaching the top, a maze of rock spires was situated just below the mesa's wide rim. After a wild week of commitments and work, it was nice to find some free time for a warm, winter's day walk. A mid-winter morning Golden, Colorado The natural turret is a landmark A dormant hillside A soft breeze A peaceful approach A frontier ex

Hubbard Mesa at Rifle, Colorado I’ve travelled all over the backroads of Colorado searching for beautiful places to photograph. Earlier this winter, I stumbled upon a remarkable area that really caught my attention. If you head north out of Rifle, you’ll discover a unique landscape distinguished by enchanting sunsets. My experience below the staggered mesas of that region was nothing short of surreal. After a gray day shrouded in mist, the clouds began to recede and the sun started to set. Warm tones mingled with cool tones, resulting in a broad spectrum of colorful twilight. The muddy desert floor was decorated with patches of piñon pine and splashes of blue sagebrush. Up above, the dark peaks were laced with stripes of white snow. As the curtain of darkness continued to descend, shafts of filtered light permeated the wide valley. The moist atmosphere hung over the canyon, washing it to a glossy sheen. I was lucky to be rewarded with such a surprising spectacle after wa