The Rocky Mountains
In Search of Mountains
Sunrise Mountain
This was our first trip to Colorado, and our goal was to do a sunrise hike up Mt. Bierstadt. We put together a plan and made our way to the trailhead to begin hiking. When we arrived, we were greeted by deep snow and frigid temperatures. The snow created a soft diffusion of noise, and the silence was palpable. As we ascended above the tree line, it was obvious to us that we were not going to be able to see much through the thick haze of snow and mist.
After about an hour into our hike, the sun peaked through the clouds and illuminated this mountain. The higher we went, the thicker the mist was, and everything was bathed in white.
We might not have gotten the quintessential Sunrise, but the journey made this image special.
Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Morning Birds
As the sun rose over the horizon, so too did the birds rise. Red Crossbills, Townsend’s Solitaire, Mountain Chickadees and others could be seen foraging. We got a clear view of it all as we descended down the trail. The steep incline of where we were hiking gave us a view point of the top of the trees allowing us to capture the birds perched at the top.
Elk in Snow
Finding wildlife is often about being in the right place at the right time with enough patience to let the scene unfold. After our hike at Bierstadt, we decided to explore Moraine Park, a meadow that was a short driving distance from Bierstadt. Hoping to see more wildlife, we came across this herd of elk. Keeping a respectful distance, we made our presence known to them, and waited. The silence of this encounter was increased by the falling snow. I moved to my left, and used a large boulder to steady my camera. My autofocus kept hunting, distracted by the thick snowfall between me and the herd. I had to override the focus manually which allowed me to get this shot.
Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
A red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is adept at prying open pine cones to find nutritious seeds.
A Woodhouse Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) resting in a shrub in Garden of the Gods park, Colorado
A Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) searching for his next meal from a high perch in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) puffed up to stay warm during winter in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
This mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) is willing to do some gymnastics to get to that delicious pine cone. Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Female Mule Deer Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Red Crossbill Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
This colorful Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) adds a pop of color to the winter landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Mountain Chickadee Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Townsend's Solitaire Photographed in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado