Framed Black and White Nature Photo - Dreaming of Spring

This year I am offering "ready to hang," one of a kind, framed pieces of fine art photography for your home decor. Let me do the work of finding the perfect frame and mat to go with my photography. My first piece is perfect for a gift or small space in your home. The silhouette of a small bird resting in a thicket of tree branches against a stormy spring sky is elegantly double matted in black in an 8x10 black frame.

I have lots of ideas and combinations to work on in the next several weeks. Let me know if you like this idea of offering my photography ready to hang right out of the box. Thanks!

Dreaming of Spring Framed OOAK
My Colorado photography studio is featuring a one of a kind black matted and framed photo of a small bird silhouette resting on tree branches against a gray storm clouded sky. The 3.5x5 photo is elegantly double matted in black and in an 8x10 black frame.
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Dreaming of Spring 5x7 Photograph
My Colorado photography studio is featuring a black and white photo of a small bird silhouette resting on tree branches against a gray storm clouded sky.
click here for purchase information on the 5x7 fine art photograph

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends! I wish each of you a warm day surrounded by friends and family. May you enjoy your favorite traditional meal and eat your fill. May you smile and laugh with glee. May you get warm embraces and know you are loved. Know that I treasure your visits and send happiness your way. Hugs, Julie

This young hen turkey decides she likes the large male turkey that struts for her and tentatively approaches him for a closer look. This little dance was happening in our driveway last spring.

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Hummingbird Repose

The other day I was watering plants on our deck and spotted this little hummer girl sitting peacefully and enjoying the day. I was so taken aback by her unusual behavior. Most of our broad-tailed hummingbirds are blatantly feisty, constantly diving and chattering over front row seats at the three feeders that I refill a couple times a day. (We go through over ten pounds of sugar a week!)

I went inside to get my camera, thinking she would surely be gone when I returned. But she was still there, tilting her head and blinking at me. She sat there for several minutes completely unperturbed by my close proximity. Then a big gust of wind blew her right off her perch and she was gone, leaving me to ponder what I had just witnessed.

Hummingbird Repose
A larger than life size photo of a female broad-tailed hummingbird with green iridescent wing feathers rests next to a pine in Colorado.
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North American Wild Turkey

Now I know all of you are thinking what the heck is she doing talking about turkeys. It is not even anywhere near Thanksgiving. But springtime on Stellers Ridge is turkey time! The North American Wild Turkey believes that living here in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies is turkey heaven. Every spring they gather together in large groups to party down. The girls try their best to ignore the puffed up "gobblers," cackling amongst themselves that so and so is a jerk. But he keeps strutting and puffing and one by one they fall for the guy. Now tell me. Who could fall for a face like that!! It must be love.

Hen Party
A group of hen turkeys ignore a male turkey intent on their attention.

Hey Baby!
A young hen turkey investigates the large male turkey.

Turkey Trot
A male turkey struts his stuff after a fresh spring snow to attract a hen.

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A Summer Breeze of Turquoise

This week I am featuring the tropical color of turquoise. It inspires me and lets my imagination wander to a Pacific island. Can you see yourself sitting in a rattan chair sipping a mai tai and watching the waves of the ocean spill across the white sand beach. Ah yes, there it is. A summer breeze smelling of coconuts and salty sea. Enjoy the view!

Be sure to visit each of these shops by clicking on the artist's name. They have many more wonderful items to view.

Summer Neck Rag
by Textile Monster
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Coastal Dream
by Kenna Foster
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Racquet-tailed Rollar Bird
by LD Photography
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SOLD!
by Lucciao

Water Trio
by Alison DuBois
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Eagle in the Mist

Winter's breath frosts the landscape outside my window in every shade of white. Snow is lightly drifting falling floating from the sky. Fog creeps slowly through the pines whispering murmuring calling me outside. I can not resist. I love the softness of the world. I bundle up in layers of soft billowy sweaters. Camera in mittenclad hands I step forth from the porch. The dogs race ahead as I wander down the little trail away from our home.

The snow crunches under my heavy boots. I pass by tiny frosted firs glimmering in contrast to the fog shrouded dark pines, and head toward the saddle, a low point on the connecting ridges. With steaming breath held I watch as a single solitary bald eagle appears out of the foggy mist like a ghost bird and silently disappears. Our mission seems accomplished. With frozen fingers and paws, we return home to our warm cabin on the hillside nestled in the tall pines.

Frosted Pines
Chilling and frigid arctic air envelopes the tiny frosted fir tree in a northern Colorado pine forest.
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Eagle Pines
A snowy mountain hillside shrouded in a cold fog is the home of an American bald eagle.
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Cabin in Pines
A cedar sided cabin is perched on a snowy slope and nestled in a pine forest of northern 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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Black-Billed Magpie

The black-billed magpie is a member of the crow family and commonly found in the western half of North America. It is one of only four North American birds that the tail makes up half of the bird's length. The bird is black with white shoulders, a white belly, and iridescent dark wings and tail.

Any trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is highlighted with critters that like a free hand out. The black-billed magpie is one of these little thieves and you must be constantly wary or they will take a sandwich or cracker right out of your hand. It is strongly discouraged to feed these animals as cute as they are. When winter arrives and the crowds thin the poor little guys are left to fend for themselves and many starve to death. I never feed them but I do take advantage of their precocious nature and catch their pictures when they get close.

Magpie
A black-billed magpie rests on a dead branch and inquisitively watches my progress hiking on a snow packed trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Magpie Silhouette
A black silhouette of a black-billed magpie perched on a single branch and set on a background of a deep azure evening sky.
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Chickadee Snow Note Cards Set of Four

I woke up to a fresh blanket of snow covering the pine forest. After fixing coffee I went about my morning routine; build a fire in the wood stove, feed the dogs, and fill the bird feeder. All the little birds were huddled in the snowy boughs waiting for me to hurry up. There were lots of mountain chickadees, nuthatches, and stellers jays. One little chickadee reminded me of a holiday ornament he was so puffed up and round, so I had to snap a photo. Then I thought he would make a very cute holiday note card for sending those thank you notes. So I got busy designing and here is the end result. Hope you like him!

Chickadee Snow Fine Art Note Card Set of Four

No longer available for purchase.

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Flock of Seagulls

Seagulls seem to be everywhere. You can find them around almost any body of water and here in the West we refer to them as terns. These photos were all taken on the Pacific coast so I believe they are true gulls.

There are many interesting facts about seagulls. Gulls are resourceful, inquisitive and highly intelligent birds. They demonstrate communication skills and a highly developed social structure; such as, many gull colonies attack and harass predators. They also can drink fresh or salt water. And ahem, some of you may recognize that, "A Flock of Seagulls" was the name of a rock band from the 80s.

Flock of Seagulls Set of 3
This is a set of three artistically enhanced black and white photos of seagulls in various patterns of flight.
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Seagull 1

Seagull 2

Seagull 3

Seagull 4

Flock of Seagulls Set of 4
This is a set of four 8x10 artistically enhanced black and white photos
of seagulls in various patterns of flight.
get purchase information for this set of photos

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

The Light and Color of Zion National Park

I was looking through some of my archives of the American Southwest and found a few to share from a trip I took a couple years ago. We were on our way to adopt a dog at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We ended up coming home with two. But that is another story.

Zion National Park is a photographers dream. There is something about the magical light that bounces off those red cliffs and mountains giving everything a fiery glow. Rose colored glasses are not needed. I am reminded of the old vintage travel magazine covers and took my inspiration from them. And remember, I appreciate your comments on my work. Your critiques help me to stretch and grow. Cheers!

Sunset Cliff
A lone red tailed hawk soars overhead as the sun sinks and lights up
the red cliffs of Zion National Park.
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Zion National Park on a rainy day is dappled with sunlight
filtering through the storm clouds.

The North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park is a desert river
of green water and red rocks.

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A Walk on Second Beach - Part 2

The blizzard in Colorado has moved east and the sun is shining. We have plowed the road and ventured outside. The rambunctious young dog ran freely with pent up energy and plunged into the snow totally disappearing and then popped up looking surprised and happy. Ahhh, Colorado.

But today's post is about our vacation last month to the Pacific Northwest and specifically the wild beaches of Olympic National Park. This collection has taken a turn toward a contemporary feel and accentuates the simplicity of the wild seashore at Second Beach. Enjoy and share your thoughts!

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Seagull Reflection
A solitary seagull walks along a wild beach in Olympic National Park casting a shimmering reflection on the wet sand.

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Seashore
Shimmering ripples of wet sand and foamy blue surf advancing up the beach capture the aura of the wild coast of Olympic National Park.

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Walk on the Beach
Alone and dwarfed by the thundering Pacific Ocean, the solitary figure walks on a remote beach of the Pacific Northwest and gazes out at the pinnacles of sea stacks.

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