Redstone Winter - Colorado Landscape Photography

The winter wind is sharp today but the sun is bright as I walk down the dusty dry dirt road. It is unusual to be so dry in January. The warm sun is welcome none the less and takes the sting out of the cold air. The white bare trunks of the cottonwood trees catch my attention as they stand out prominently against the red sandstone cliff that gives this valley its name, Redstone Canyon. My home.

Redstone Winter
The valley of Redstone Canyon is named for the beautiful red sandstone cliffs found there. A winter stand of cottonwood trees with their white bark showing prominently provides a contrast against the sandstone cliff.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Icy Forest in Northern Colorado

My boots crunched on the icy crust of snow. My breath steamed. The dogs' whiskers stood out in frosty contrast to their dark coats. My camera was inside my coat, warm and ready for the shot I was after. I had arrived. I took my camera out, pulled off my mittens, and fumbled with the settings as my hands stiffened in the frigid air. Satisfied that I had captured the moment, I put the camera back inside my coat and pulled my mittens back on over numb fingers. Calling to the romping dogs I turned and then headed back up the steep incline with thoughts of returning to my warm home and crackling fire. You may want to have a cup of hot chocolate ready when you view this shot.

Icy Forest
A snowy Rocky Mountain pine forest with an icy patina in Northern Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Aspen Light in Black and White

You might recognize this photograph. It is not entirely new to my portfolio. What is new is the presentation. I was recently requested to change a couple of my most popular color photographs to black and white. And to make things even more interesting this person wanted squares. I love a challenge so I said I would play around and see what happened. The original photograph is here too so that you can compare. Tell me what you think.

Thank you Mark in southern California for being my muse!

Aspen Light BW
My Colorado photography studio is featuring a black and white photo of an aspen tree filled meadow with their white bark dappled in light.
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Aspen Light

Here is the original color and crop of the fine art photograph, Aspen Light.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Mountain Valley View - Colorado Rocky Mountains

It is the first snowfall. It arrived late this year and followed a sunny summery autumn. So imagine the shockingly cold surprise and sparkling white beauty of this season's first snow. As I breathed in the prickly fine air the world about me seemed new. The sun was catching the fine crystals setting off brilliant sparks on each tree and bush. As I looked down our mountain valley to distant peaks all the shades of winter's blue were around me. My favorite color. I hope you enjoy it too.

Mountain Valley View
The distant hazy blue Rocky Mountains of Colorado are seen through a picture frame of snow clad pines.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West

My Colorado photography studio is featuring a 2011 wall calendar of my western landscape photography. I have chosen photographs from Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, and Olympic National Park that follow the seasons of the year in beautiful glossy full color.

"2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West" is a limited printing of twenty and each calendar is signed. It makes a great gift for the outdoors enthusiast and the nature lovers in your family. Click on any of the following images or links to purchase your copies today!

This calendar was produced using recycled content paper and soy based inks to protect the environment.

2011 Wall Calendar - Landscapes of the West
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2011 Wall Calendar - Back View
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2011 Wall Calendar - Month Sample
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Rocky Mountain National Park Landscapes - Lawn Lake Trail

On July 15, 1982 an earthen dam in Rocky Mountain National Park failed resulting in the death of three campers and $31 million in property damage in Estes Park, Colorado. The reason I mention the Lawn Lake Flood is because after 28 years the area, though still scarred, also has amazing beauty. This past summer I enjoyed hiking the trail once again. The debris of giant boulders and logs are sprinkled with wildflowers and new life. Mother nature inspires us with her healing resilience once again.

Mountain View
A distant peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado is seen through a pine forest with purple wildflowers blooming near fallen tree trunks.
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Lawn Lake Trail
Purple wildflowers grow amongst rocks and weathered logs on the Lawn Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado.
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Less Traveled Road

The sky was grumbling and growling as I made my way on the less traveled road. The wind was buffeting the truck and a gust brought the sweet scent of rain in through the window and moistened my face with its coolness. The pickup crested one hill and plunged down another before laboring up the next one. I was heading right for the churning clouds. It was time to stop and watch as the line of pines marched off into the maw of the storm.

Less Traveled Road
A black and white landscape photo of a back country dirt road in Colorado stretching toward a stormy sky with silhouettes of pines marching in the horizon.
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By the way, I have a free drawing for two photographs going on over at Facebook. If you are not yet following me on Facebook now is the time. All of my Facebook followers who RSVP the 500 Fans Celebration Event will be eligible! Good luck! Deadline is midnight August 27, 2010.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Golden Hillside

The day was cool and misty. It suited my temperament and put an extra lift in my step. The scent of pine enveloped me and stole my attention from everything else for a moment. Then, as I gazed down the hillside, a sprinkling of yellow flowers had seemingly appeared in the instant of my attention. I had to get close to the earth and take in their beauty in a gulp. The fog crept closer and the trees beyond the little mountain meadow started to disappear into the mist. I felt small sitting in the dirt with my mouse view. The world shifted and I was suddenly no one and everything all at once. Nature once again stole me away.

Spring Gold
A grassy hillside is sprinkled with late spring blooming yellow flowers and the majestic pines in the background are shrouded in a misty fog.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Fog on the Mesa

The swirling mist was cold against my face as if an undead lover caressed my cheek. The stillness was only interrupted by the soft hiss of air against the dead leaves. I walked quietly as if I were afraid to disturb some thing that might be lurking in the fog. Camera in hand I started shooting the misty swirls of air. The tree branches stretched and reached out to me as if to stop my progress. Undaunted I continued. Then as I finished framing my last shot I caught a glimpse of movement in the distant haze. It was time to pay the price for my trespass.

Dedicated to the fans of "Twilight" and all vampire fiction. I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it.

Fog on the Mesa
A heavy fog shrouds the red mesa and a leaning cottonwood tree creating an eerie atmosphere in the mist.
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Cottonwood Fog
A cottonwood tree reaches into the foggy landscape with twisted branches.
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Fog
An ancient cottonwood tree is a pale twisted shadow in the gray fog.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

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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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Rising

According to astrology some of us are ruled by the sun and some by the moon, not to mention many other planets. The sun is hot, dry and masculine in nature; whereas the moon is associated with the feminine and dark energies. There are sun worshipers and folk that like to howl at the moon. We have early risers and night owls. Whichever group you prefer I hope that my photographs bring light to your day or your night. Tell me which of our celestial bodies brings out the best in you.

Sunrise
A brilliant red sunrise is an abstract explosion of bright red with a silhouette of the horizon and will look perfect as an accent piece in your decor.
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Moonrise
A glowing blue moonrise is an abstract explosion of color with a silhouette of the horizon and will look perfect as an accent piece in your decor.
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Sunrise Moonrise Photo Set
Two different presentations of a rising glowing sun or moon against a dark horizon. One brilliant red the other illuminating blue.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Grandmother Pine

Grandmother Pine stands where the cold winter wind blows the strongest. The gale is channeled up a steep narrow canyon and breaks over the ridge exactly where she stands. Her trunk is thick and twisted. Her branches are short and sturdy. She barely notices the brutal blast that pushes me about like the fragile being that I am. She offers sanctuary to every creature under her thick boughs where the air is quiet and the light dim. She stands protectively over all who accept her embrace. Thank you for your shelter, Grandmother Pine.

Thank you for your patience regarding my computer difficulties. I am up and running smoothly again, although a bit behind. So my return is a little slow, but I will catch up and have many new photographs as the week progresses. Check back often.

Grandmother Pine
An ancient and twisted ponderosa pine has withstood time and the severe weather on a mountaintop in Colorado.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

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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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

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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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Snowy Trees in a Winter Landscape

My boots crunched as I walked the dogs in the frigid morning air. Their breath puffed out in jets of steam as they charged ahead. The fresh snow outlined everything in lacy sparkling white. I had to pause and soak it in, the cold forgotten. I am the "Winter Girl." The cottonwoods on the valley floor remind me of old oil paintings of the romanticism period, with pastural meadows and large trees. It would have looked the same to a passerby one hundred years ago. My contemplations are abruptly ended by dog noses nudging me forward. It is time to continue our walk.

Mesa Cottonwoods in Winter
Snowy cottonwoods line a creek at the bottom of the towering western mesa pointing to a water source and creating layers of subtle color.
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Snowy Cottonwoods in Blue
The western landscape turns a subtle shade of blue under the intense azure winter sky and highlights the stark row of cottonwood trees.
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Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen