Once Again Overdue

I'm not seeing pictures like I used too. Camera got bad broke in Mexico just when my interest had returned. Couldn't replace it but have now with a identical used one two camera's ago because it does macros so well. But it's well past time to post something as I still enjoy photography and always carry my camera with me just that not taking many pictures. 

So here's a stab at it with pictures starting in May or so and no order in fact they are mixed up. There are a couple that are interesting but mostly illustrative


 This is a lobby picture of a bank in Trinidad that has just finished a remodel. Notice the safe above the real safe. Old and original and the rooms in another part are Art Deco like. Just liked it.

Remember about clicking on the pictures to make them HUGE and twice for even BIGGER.

Above this cows butt is Fisher Peak the flat mountain just outside Trinidad.

I tried to get to the top of Greenhorn mountain and didn't do so well but the highlight was the awesome surprise of MANY healthy columbines. This is well into July and below columbines just don't grow. This is probably at 10,500' and on this long hike few decent pictures were had.  

It's rained so much at times mushrooms were popping up a lot of places. Another ride another day at elevation went past this fellow with a sack. Saw he was Japanese and it was "Stop the car!".  Mushroom hunting the whole family coming a long way to do so from Colorado Springs. This picture does not do these justice. There were a lot of mushrooms with four variety's at least.

There were just a lot of mushrooms out and these people were after some special ones for sure.

And because of the rain it a sea of yellow many places.

Then there's Bob. Too long a story to tell other than to say this is quite a cat.

This is now a defunct gas station north of Trinidad and Fisher Peak is there again. Identify with the writing and to think one used to be able to get biscuits&gravy here.

Bob is a troublesome boy and a first class sneaker inner but can't be allowed in. He tangles with my cat Stretch for dominance which is problematic for sure. This kitty has not one hint of meanness in him and has lived a fairly tough life for at least half of his approximate 8-9 years. It's much better now as a neighbor and myself sorta took him in but he don't get to come in. We like this animal a bunch.

See what I mean - he has commandeered Stretch's heated bed.

I believe this is the west Spanish Peak on the south side.

The town of La Veta lays pretty much at the base of these mountains and provides the chance of incredible pictures at certain times along with other geographical features found only around here.

It's just plain enjoyable to take rides out in the country to observe plus animal activity is high.

These are the Culebra Mountains just west of the Spanish Peaks. Taos is on the other side more or less. The ski runs are at a long closed ski area above La Veta called Cuchara. It quit snowing enough probably 20 years ago that made trying to make a go of it unviable. Climate Change is very real unlike what others say.

Then Stretch definitely out like a light and loving it.

Bones From Yesterday 6/18/09

There are a lot of posts over at OTC and by no means are they all political. There are enough that you don't always remember what you've done. Rummaging around OTC looking for other things you run across things such as this post originally done on 6/18/09. It's good enough to be here and here it's not always the best that gets posted.

What I like about this is the flower pictures. I look at these and just keep looking. Again when clicked on these get bigger just once and that size is huge.

Yea even an old dog gets a bone now and then. I do not fancy myself a photographer or a movie maker of any sorts. I enjoy it a bunch trying to take pictures that are interesting to me and videos that are different as well something not seen else where. It's just fun.

All this stuff was done yesterday in one area. Click on the flower pictures as the clarity is amazing.

I must have columbine myelitis as I do not tire of these flowers and enjoy seeing them in places like this so that is the reason for the video.



This creek is still roaring from runoff. The reason for this video is the intensity of the water and the fact most of the trees are gone having been removed because of beetle kill. Last year the houses would not have been able to be seen. I like the one at the very end.

On a sad note last Saturday a women lost her life in this creek above here. Also on the same day in Wyoming another local lost his life as well in fast and dangerous water in a canoe.



This because you'll not see this anywhere else.



Click on these and take a good look and maybe try one for a screen saver for a day or so. The centaurea/mountain bluet in the first picture have been battered by rain and some hail. This is my favorite color of blue.

Where You Don't Want To Go If There's A Posse After Ya

Box canyons is not the place you want to be. Here you can see where these are. Remember you can double click on these. When I do that it's like I can jump into the screen and be back there.

Here is the first one.

I liked the way this turned out.

What's left of an outbuilding from the people who ranched this. They would keep their pigs in these canyons.

The second canyon.

Just ahead of the last tree you see on the ground above is where I found this.

An orchid. These were all taken in Dinosaur National Monument.

A Few Recent Flowers

Right now the flowers are going crazy both wild and other. It is so pretty. Even though several of these  pictures are similar each is still fun to look at. Saturday early in the morning I think there is going to be a serious effort on taking pictures of  flowers.

From Father's Day Weekend

Went for two criuses this weekend and found a few interesting things. Did not fish so one was not had and have none for the year as I've not fished. Some of these are not too good and are illustrative mostly. The prickly pear were in bloom depending on the elevation.

When there are a lot of these they are very pretty.

I found a place where there are so many of these ball cactus. Some were 5" across and I did not do a good job capturing these where there were more than one close together. Most of the time they are not that far out of the ground and I don't have a clue what they are. It might not be much but I sure enjoy see these plants and especially in big numbers. I'm going back there when there's better light.

Most of the time you gotta take the picture when there's a train to be had. Actually went down here to look at dinosaur tracks somewhere to the right of where the train is. The wind was howling between 30&40 so I passed this time.

The cemetery outside McCoy,Co. I've driven down this road hundreds of times and I swear I did not notice this until just last week and I like to think that I'm fairly observant. I must have been losing it years ago and didn't even know it.

This may have been the best picture taken all weekend if it weren't for the weed.

Click on this to get a pretty decent view of some yearling elk. They get so brown this time of year.

This is the best picture I have of a turkey buzzard. I kinda like these birds. With strong winds the last several weeks there has been a lot of soaring going on with these guys and the ravens. Fun to watch and wasn't able to get something good on video. The buzzards can crank up the speed when they want and do they all ever have fun. That's what this guy was doing was waiting for a gust to come up as his two buds had just taken off before I got there. It was nice he stuck it out so I could take this.

This is at a cemetery called Deep Creek NW of Steamboat Springs. Not too bad of a picture but it's the caption that makes it real and Henry will live on for many years to come. I did as told as I don't need a hex on me.

These last two are of an old drilling rig/platform or what have you but it must be 75 years old anyway would be my guess. I found it interesting.

That's about it and I guess if there was a moral to this it would be you never know what you will run across when you go for a ride around here. That and have your camera ready always!

Vandalism Sometimes

It seemed in some places there was quite a bit of trash in Pintado Canyon. Not everywhere but where the younger locals went to party. That's where I would have been.

Zoom in on this as it's hard to see. It was more writing and not carving that was prevalent. Bad in places but overall a cool place to explore without question.

Then there's the gun issue which was bad in places as well. Both types was much worse than the last time I visited this area.

I am glad I saw this before some shit had to destroy this lament to a beautiful women. Nicely done-not that old but real art as well.

These are called carrot men for obvious reasons.

Look real close for a bit of blue.