A Golden Summer Day - Facebook Prize

With the latest winter storm leaving the USA I thought it would be fun to share this photograph taken in the dog days of summer. This was the choice of Glenda Ganis of Los Angeles, California, who won this 8x10 by participating on my Facebook page. Congratulations Glenda!

If you would like a chance to win one of my fine art photographs then head over to Facebook and "like" my page. That is where the fun happens. Then when the next contest rolls around you will be ready to win!

Stay warm my friends!

Golden Bliss
A dog days of summer photo of an inviting front porch next to a perennial garden full of flowers and a golden retriever dog basking in the warm light.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

A Colorado Christmas Celebration

My family celebrates the Christmas holiday and we are now just one week away. It is time to finish up any last minute preparations and get ready to make merry. I am taking some time off to relax and enjoy my family. My 81 year old mom is visiting and we love to gab and catch up. Ric will be baking frosted sugar cookies that rival Martha Stewart's and Tara will be joining in on all of the above! So I'll wish you a joyous holiday with your loved ones and see you after Christmas! Peace, Julie

My Rocky Mountain home with a fresh dusting of snow.

A festive table sets the mood for Christmas dinner.
Grandma is hiding in the background.

A collection of plush white Christmas bears adds a bit of whimsy.

Oh Tannenbaum!

Fort Collins, Colorado twinkles with its own parade of lights in the distance.

That's me hiding behind the tree.
See you soon!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Playful Dogs in the Snow

Dog play is one of the most fun things in the world to watch. And when the weather is cold and snowy my two dogs seem to enjoy their outing even more. It all starts with an invitation. You see, dogs have a language all their own. When a rump goes up with tail wagging and then the dog bows it means "let's play!"

Dulcie "play bows" to Rob.

Rob is only too happy to oblige and leaps toward Dulcie.

Now they are both leaping and running in joy.

Dulcie pulls rank with her elder status and calls it quits.

Rob gets back to business, tracking bunnies!

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A 14,264' View from the top of Mount Evans

It was last June. It was shorts weather in Colorado, but not at the top of Mount Evans. There was a storm approaching the peak and the temperature was below freezing with bitter biting winds. I trotted across the parking lot to the ruins of the old chalet 50 yards away. I was breathless and a little dizzy by the time I reached it, a result of what Coloradans call "rare air" at an elevation of over 14,000 feet. Shivering from the unrelenting cold but at the same time totally juiced to take photos, I shot off as many as I could before my fingers started to go numb. I'm going back this year for sure... in August, with arctic gear, gloves, hat and a tripod. Enjoy the view!

Mountain Window
Looking out a rustic window from the ruins of a chalet at the very top of Mount Evans at an elevation of 14,264' shows a scenic snow capped mountain landscape as far as the eye can see.
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Reboot!

It finally happened. I'm having computer difficulties. Please accept my apologies! I hope you enjoy this earlier published post on some of my water photography.

SPLASH! (February 2009)

I am an earth mama with a water spirit heart. Living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains gives me sustenance for my earth side. Their solid permanence gives me strength. But once in awhile my water spirit thirsts for salty oceans, serene lakes, and rivers wet and wild. I have not had my ocean fix recently but instead have found untamed waters and calm shores right here in Colorado.

The first two photos were taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on a summer hike next to the St. Vrain River. It has been my favorite river in the park since I first discovered it in 1975. And as the surrounding terrain changes from fires and natural selection, the river still rages down the steep mountainside careening over the same rocks. I find timeless energy there.

The last photo is of Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. It is about four miles east of my mountain home and I can see it out my windows with the morning sun reflecting golden off its surface or a full moon making it a pool of pale light.

High Country Cascades

The day was warm and sunny on our hike along the St. Vrain River in Rocky Mountain NP. The water was cascading and spraying when I spotted a small plant, moss, and lichen clinging to a boulder.
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Rushing Water
Swirling and turbulent frigid mountain water careens by a large boulder in the St. Vrain River in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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April Terns - ON SALE!
LIMITED ONE TIME OFFER OF A FREE OFF WHITE DOUBLE MATTE WITH THIS PURCHASE. THIS IS A $20.00 VALUE! FRAME SIZE 16X20.
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The Many Faces of Gary Heller

Gary Heller Photography caught my attention over a year ago with a stunning winter shot of a farm house. His photography of derelict barns is award winning; he was the Grand Prize recipient of the Historical Ithaca's 2009 Barn Survey competition. His New York water towers have been featured on Warner Bros epic series "V" on the ABC television network. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. His repertoire is vast and not only includes architectural features but also beautiful and dreamy nature photography.

Gary's photography has often been described by his peers with such adjectives as "unusual," "dark," "foreboding," "unique”. One fellow photographer has used the term "pleasantly strange". That description sums it up best for him as he strives for strange, yet pleasing compositions.

Gary says, "I was brought up in a household of culture and an appreciation for the arts. My mother is an artist and would spend much of her free time working on her paintings. I can remember as a child, sitting by her side as she explained to me the how and why of what she was doing. Her influence has been with me ever since. I approach my photography as I would a painting, from composition to post processing."

Gary's latest adventure with self portraiture is fascinating, humorous and inspiring in the technical purity and artistic flair of his work. Portraiture is an area of photography that takes a great amount of skill and to do self portraiture not only takes courage but a bit of self deprecation. Personally, I would love to see Gary do a whole book of these wonderful self portraits. Wouldn't you?

Visit him on Esty at Gary Heller Photography to see all of his award winning work or read about the behind the scenes production of Gary's work on his blog.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade garyhellerphotograph.etsy.com

Redstone Canyon Colorado

The hum of the tires turned into a grumbly growl when I turned the truck onto the dirt road. I felt my shoulders immediately relax as I looked at the familiar old cottonwood standing guard at the valley entrance. As I bumped down the twisty and narrow way home, I could easily imagine the day when it was still a rutted trail. Though not much more now it was still passable all winter. I slowed the truck to a stop at the cattle guard and jumped out to unlock the gate. Looking up into the foothills I could see the snow laden fog cresting the mountain top. Just a couple more miles and I would be next to a warm and cozy fire with a cup of steaming coffee. Life is good in Redstone.

Sunset Mesa
An ancient cottonwood tree guards the entrance to the valley into Redstone Canyon with its trademark red mesa in the background.
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Winter Mesa
A cold winter's day in the canyon brings snow and fog to the foothills of Colorado.
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Dreaming of Spring

Like a hibernating bear, I am dreaming of spring. Twitching for it. Yearning for it. Waiting for it. But Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which means six more weeks of winter. And for the high country of Colorado I know that my wait for green meadows and bursting flowers will not be until June. So wish me luck and happy springtime dreams.

Spring Breeze
The old and twisted cottonwoods were wearing the lacy light green of spring and standing over a field of purple wildflowers.
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Dreaming of Spring
The silhouette of a single small bird perched in the bare branches of a tree is a harbinger of spring to come.
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Horizon
The lush spring grass stretches as far as the eye can see into the horizon with a rain promising spring sky overhead.
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Winter Garden

The winter garden is monochromatic unlike the chaotic cacophony of color in the summer garden. A frosted leaf or branch becomes the focal point, etching an abstract pattern against a cedar wall. A single dried flower against a backdrop of white invites one to look closer to see the abstract beauty of a seed. Have you been to a winter garden? What have you seen?

Frosted Coneflower
A single dried and frosty coneflower stands bravely against the elements of winter.
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Icy Cherry
The branches of a young Canadian choke cherry, lacy with frost, trace intricate lines before a cedar wall.
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Crystalline Roses

Crystalline roses sparkled in the pale morning light. The fog drifted through the trees coating every leaf and bud with a shimmering cold frost. My breath steamed. My heart quieted. Every season has its own exquisite grace. I had discovered the shy secret beauty of a cold winter's day. A rose. How unexpected.

Rose Sparkle
Icy and sparkling in the dim winter light, a cluster of ruby red rose hips highlight the winter garden.
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Crystal Rose
Sparkling and frozen, cherry red rose hips dangle like Christmas ornaments from the old red twig rose bush on a frosty winter day.
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Crystalline Roses Set
This pair of sparkling cherry red rose hips photographs will bring the beauty of a winter garden inside your home.
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Hidden Treasures

Karen Casey Smith's work with mandalas started in 1995. She started with colored pencils but now primarily uses flower photography to create the most extraordinary pieces of art. Her interest in mandalas combine two of her great interests, that of creating art and healing. She says, "it is always an amazing experience, and a delightful surprise to see the patterns that emerge while making the flower mandalas. Each mandala has its own vibrational frequency. They bring in healing energy where they are displayed."

I hope you enjoy Karen's unique talent as much as I have. Visit her shop at Etsy or 1000 Markets to see all of her mandalas as well as a variety of other outstanding photography.

Hidden Treasures
The Hidden Treasures flower mandala guides us to look for the treasures within. It was created from a photo of a beautiful yellow lily.
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Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade karencaseysmith.etsy.com

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Baby Elk and Friends

The day that I searched for the large elk herd in Rocky Mountain National Park, I spotted a separate tiny group of about a dozen animals on my way home. (Read more about my stalking a wild elk herd here.) Of course, I had to get out and catch a few more shots especially when I noticed the little calf. She was adorable, prancing around the adults, exploring the nearby thickets, and in general, just looking cute. I hope you enjoy my images of a very cute elk baby.

Interesting facts about elk calves:

Calves are born spotted, the same as many deer species, and they lose their spots by the end of summer. After two weeks, calves are able to join the herd and are fully weaned at two months of age. Elk calves weigh as much as an adult white-tailed deer by the time they are six months old. The offspring will remain with their mothers for almost a year, leaving about the time that the next season's offspring are produced. Elk live an average 10 to 13 years in the wild.

Peek a Boo Elk
A baby elk peeks out from behind a pine sapling in Rocky Mountain National Park, to look for mama.
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Baby Elk Calf
The baby elk calf pauses to see if mama elk is watching and following in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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Tasty Tidbit
A baby elk determinedly walks through the middle of the herd on the way to a tasty destination.

Elk Solitaire
A young elk cow follows the herd to a better grazing meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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