Doesn't this scene just take your breath away? The peace and serenity of locations like this in Rocky Mountain National Park are well worth the hike to get to them. Although my legs and ankles would beg to differ with that comment.
Dan & I took a small vacation this past week and enjoyed the beauty of Estes Park in the Fall. The pictures I'm sharing here are Dan's. The weather was not terribly cooperative for most of the time spent there, however, there were some gorgeous moments that Dan captured and I wanted to share.
This feisty little Steller Jay joined us for lunch at the lake. I didn't realize that the crinkling noise made by Clif Bar wrappers or plastic bags would lure the wildlife in like it did this guy. He was very animated and extremely wishful for a bite of our food. I'm fairly certain that other visitors had shared with him in the past based on his reaction to the noise from our food wrappers. He made a wonderful subject for a photo shoot and Dan was able to get so many pictures of him I can definitely see doing a stained glass window of him.
Mr. Big
This is the largest elk that Dan & I have ever seen. For those of you who have not experienced our national parks, it's fairly common to see people pull over to view the wild life. We always look to see what the spectacle might be and this time it was HIM! Neither Dan or I had ever seen an elk this large. I counted 9 points on one side of his antlers. I believe a Royal Elk has 7 points a side....this guy was beyond Royal! Of course, he bugled and we have no idea why he wasn't surrounded by girls. He was magnificent and since he was closer to where we had just finished our hike, he was less comfortable with people than the other elk in the meadows down by the park entrance. He didn't hang around long, but at least Dan was able to get a number of photos of him.
We're back home and the bassets are happy to have our company again. There's something about being out in nature that recharges my batteries.
Here's wishing all of you a great week of creativity!
16 comments:
Some of the best memories I have are when Garrett and I camped and hiked there. I love that park; really nice to see the photos and hear that you are recharged and ready to work...not that your mind wasn't probably seeing so many artistic possibilities at every turn!
Hi Karen!
Nice to know you and Garrett have been there too. Yes, there was a lot of inspiration in the park. Now to work on the ideas.
These photos are breathtaking! What a beautiful place!
Thanks for sharing these magnificent photos, Kathleen. I've been to Colorado, but not to Estes Park. Now I would love to go on a hike like you and Dan did.
Hi Sandy!
Glad you like Dan's photos. He's actually entered a few of these from the trip in a Cannon photography contest. Won't know the results until December.
Hi Janelle. Estes is a must see. I'd recommend doing some preliminary hiking to prepare...I should have done that myself!!! :)
Such great photos! That male bull
elk would fit perfect in that
unfinished oil painting I have in
my basement. The one Richard Secor
on facebook is egging me on to
complete!
Take care..
Wow that place is mighty beautiful and it's so wonderful to see Dan's photos. I can't wait to see what happens in the cannon competition!
Dan's beautiful photos and your wonderful words have given me the itch to go explore. I haven't been on a true get-away-from-it-all nature walk in a couple years and I'm due. Thanks for sharing. -Don
Hi Cathyann!
Oh yes, definitely go to Estes while you are here. The trees have just started to turn and I know you would capture some wonderful things in your paintings!
Hi TL!
Thanks. You are welcome to use the elk as a reference for your work if you like. I'm certain Dan would be pleased.
Hey Shay!
You have been catching up on your blog reading and I really appreciate your comments so much. Glad you enjoyed Dan's photos.
Hi Don!
You're welcome. Oh definitely go on a nature walk. Lexi felt I needed another immersion in nature last night to help me with a design block I was experiencing. Break through this morning at 4 AM. All good. Let me know how yours goes.
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for stopping by my blog, and the nice comment . I LOVE your work. And Dan's Photography is wonderful, you do make a nice complement for each other.I think there is nothing like nature to bring to the reality of what life id REALLY all about.Thank you for sharing.
wow, Kathleen, I'm jealous! What a beautiful place- another one to put on my list of places I must see. Have you watched any of the Ken Burns National Parks series on PBS? I think you'd really enjoy it.
Inspiring, incredible photos! Definitely breathtaking landscape & the elk is amazing! I sure hope to see Estes Park one day! How far is it from Denver?
Hi Alston! Thanks for stopping by and thanks so much for your kind words about my work and Dan's.
Hey Sharmon~ Yes, Estes is a must see. I have seen Ken Burn's work...it's great! Thanks.
Hi Linda! I hope you can visit Estes too. It's about 1 1/2 hrs from Denver. Well worth it when you head out this way.
Looks like something from a fairy tale! I've been to the Rockies once and was in total awe. The first time I saw a steller jay I almost fell off the rock I was on, the color with the sun on it's feathers was so dazzling! Glad you and Dan had a great trip and were able to return with these inspiring memories.
Hi Kathleen, I'm a bit behind on my blog reading! Just wondered if you have been watching any of the public TV's films of our Nat.Parks? There is so much beauty to see yet. I hope I make it. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.
Hi Deborah! Yes it was a great trip. The Steller Jay was a real character too!
Hi Sue! I'm behind on my blog reading too. Thanks for stopping and the comment. I have had a chance to see some of the Nat'l Geographic shows on our national parks and it just makes me want to see more of them. Hope you can come out this way and enjoy the beauty of the Rockies.
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