head in the clouds
Center of frame is the bottom half of Pikes Peak. The size of this mountain only becomes obvious when you’re a long way off; this shot is from 40 miles to the north and it’s still the largest feature of the landscape.
Windy Hike
Hiking during fall colors is always beautiful, even on windy days.
peeps
Chicks are cute, but they don’t like a camera being in their box. The lighting is strange here because they’re under a red heat lamp to keep them toasty. At this age their first growth of feathers is coming in under the baby down but they still fall asleep randomly. One minute they are running everywhere and next, a pile of feathers in the corner.
Just Peachy
Clear sky sunsets are usually not very colorful, but this was a brilliant exception. The rolling hills and sparse trees added to the view.
Petite
These flowers are probably either Wooly Groundsel or Hoary Grounsel; the Packera family is hard to key out and a single species can look radically different depending on where it grew. These ones are living in a rocky hole in a jeep trail and are about 3 inches tall.
Interstellar Glow
I have always enjoyed taking star pictures, and had a wonderfully clear night in Badlands National Park. This is the best view of the interstellar gas clouds I have managed yet.
Alpine tracks
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of the highest in North America. The ride and views are highly recommended.
Missouri Crossing
Humidity and smoke filtered most of the shorter wavelengths of light out of this sunset. This resulted in a dramatic red sun leaving its trail across the waters of the Missouri River.
Breakout
The lighthouse on Wisconsin Point was found by vandals. I’m hoping this doesn’t get the jetty shut down, because it’s one of the best places to see a storm on Lake Superior.
Wahoo
Wahoo trees produce vivid pink and red fruit in the fall, which are enhanced here by the moisture from a recent rain.