The Rest of the Story!

This picture doesn't tell it all. This is one time I should have taken a panorama. On our recent drive around the San Juan Skyway we came upon this large field with about 100 prairie dogs all sitting on top of their mounds and looking one direction. Well, this was something we had not seen before, even though there are many fields of prairie dogs in this area. You usually see a few out of their holes, a few scampering around but never a whole field of them standing at attention. Well, inquiring minds want to know, so we pulled over to the side of the road to check it out. And then we saw the object of their attention. A lone fox, dragging his tail and sleeking off into the distance. It appeared that the colony had been alerted and he had been stared down by a field of prairie dogs. I guess there is strength in numbers. . . . sf

Summer Fun!

Just going to share a few pictures from our busy summer. . .

San Juan Skyway -A Time to Remember

Just a few more images to go with the previous post. The outdoor pool is the Hot Springs pool at Wiesbaden Hot Springs and Spa. They also have an intriguing natural hot springs cave! Enjoyed! sf

San Juan Skyway. . What a Drive!

What a change in the San Juan Skyway drive from three months ago! The weather was glorious and we enjoyed sunshine and all of the pleasures of spring in Colorado. The mountains were still snow capped but the aspens were leafed out in most places and a sprinkling of wildlife and wildflowers surprised us along the way. We were pleased with photo opportunities at every turn and again a few side road trips to catch something special. Our overnight at Ouray included a dip in the hot springs at The Wiesbaden and breakfast at our favorite eatery, The Backstreet Bagel. Many travelers take the San Juan Skyway in one day. We do the trip in two days, which includes stopping to distribute the Arts Perspective magazine as we go. With all this roadway and the communities along the way have to offer, it could easily be expanded into three days or. . a week. And for photographers, the opportunities are almost unlimited. . .sf

Look What I Found!

In a quick walk around the house I found lots of wildflowers already blooming and the promise of more still in the bud. That only builds the anticipation of what is to come in the higher grounds around Mancos! The days have turned gloriously warm and sunny and the beauty of Colorado this time of year is what gets you through the winter! We are doing our quarterly loop through the San Juan skyway soon- and that should be spectacular. Spring and Summer when it comes here , comes in a flood of activities, want to dos, not enough time to do it alls, but is a real joy to be a participant in. Our blog sometimes gets left out as we try to keep up with everything, including our facebook and flickr pages. You can usually find something current from Tom or/and I in one of our on line hangouts! We are hooked on the electronic age. Not always getting it to do what we want it to(or me anyway), but hooked! We enjoy, and still try to find time to get outside and enjoy the wildflowers. . . sf

The Birds of Spring

Tom and I usually feed the birds all winter and then just the hummingbirds during the summer. I decided to put out a little seed the other day and oh what we have been missing! There has been a wonderful array of birds at the front yard feeder and in the surrounding oak brush ever since. What a treat they are! It is the first time I have seen any doves here in over a year and many other colorful feathered friends have stopped by to feed. The hummingbirds yesterday did and imitation of stunt plane nose diving which I have been told is part of their mating ritual.I had given up trying to find last years hummingbird feeder and purchased a new one after days of having the cute little birds glare at me through the window. I am not a birder. . but I am a bird "enjoyer". . Tom and I both have photography in the birding show at the Cortez Cultural Center. We always enjoy trying to get that special picture.

I do think spring is here,although I haven't seen any robins the last few days. They may have headed back south in a state of confusion over the freezing temperatures and periodic snow showers. Smart birds,those robins. sf

Mancos Mix

The bottom picture is of the New Year Eve's full moon rising on the horizon outside of Mancos. Then on the outskirts of Mancos and on our way to Cortez we snapped a few pictures of some yaks that are sharing a field with cows and horses. We have tried before and these creatures just are not photogenic! We were delighted to find my friend Alexander the camel hanging out in the front of his pasture and even seemed glad for the company. Alexander is a ham, I think as he always seems to strut and pose for the camera. I thought he was particularly handsome is his heavy winter coat! Just never know what you are going to find around and about Mancos. Happy New Year all. . sf

And the Snow Came Down. . . ..

It has been snowing all day and the only pictures I have are of this one little snow bunny that was looking for something to eat around the bird feeder. Such a cute little guy but ended up with a snowy face after poking his head under the snow. He even sat up on his hind legs before he scampered off. Of course that is the picture that was not in focus! I took some lettuce out and left it where he had been so hope to see him return. We don't see many rabbits and they, like other wildlife, are a treat when they come visit. It is a beautiful fluffy snow and tomorrow I hope to do the scenery more photographic justice! sf

Cold and Crisp, Beautiful Winter Morning

The morning is dawning, much to do today but what a great way to start the day- just catching the sun rising over the horizon and lighting the mountains with color and a beautiful glow. It is somewhere below 10 degrees but the little fluffed up snow birds are already gathering around the feeder to select their seed of choice for breakfast. I have seen a lone turkey visiting the bird feeder area for the past few days, which usually expands rapidly to a flock feeding frenzy in the near future. I am posting a couple of shots taken on our last drive up to Mesa Verde. The Shiprock picture is a bit strange. . but it is such an intriguing landmark of the area, thought you might enjoy. sf

Driving the Skyway

We are halfway through our San Juan Skyway jaunt to distribute the new issues of the Arts Perspective Magazine. We like the overnight in Ouray and this time even enjoyed the natural hot springs hot tubs offered here.Its a trip we always look forward to and I think tomorrow is going to be fresh snow as we cover the Telluride area! I am sharing a few shots from todays travels. We are hoping to catch the morning light on the ice climbing park in the morning. sf

Snowy Colorado!

It snowed some today but mostly rain. And I was hoping to take some fresh snow pictures to share. We had such a beautiful fall color season and then the world turned brown! I am really partial to color photography so I am anxiously awaiting some beautiful snow to capture with my camera. As I wait, I will share with you some of our FeVa Fotos pictures that we are using for the 2009 holiday cards. After hours of going through last winters shots, here are a few that we decided to use. Of course, when displayed they are in festive holiday card stock. And who knows, the way the weather looks tonight, it may be a winter wonderland out there in the morning! sf

Fall Farmers Market Bonanza!

The Farmers' Market in Cortez last Saturday was a great place to visit and restock our fruit and veggie supply. Produce was plentiful, end-of-the season ripe and well priced! Our only dud was a watermelon which I had carefully selected by my "thumping" method! Guess I have lost my touch! The bottom photo was caught on a pasture fence as a sprinkler system was spraying water and creating a decorative display of ice. It was actually crisp air temperature but comfortable at the farmers market location. But I do understand that hot coffee was a best seller. Note the couple working the apple press and serving up fresh apple juice. We came home with a box of yellow delicious apples that are wonderful eating but need to be transformed into applesauce, pies, etc. It is sad the the season for fresh local produce is passing. A big thanks to all of the farmers who have provided the rest of us with such wonderful choices. We have enjoyed! sf

Love Those Aspen!

Aspen groves have a magic that you don't understand until you have stood amongst them, looked to the tops of these magnificent trees and gazed at the vastness of the sky beyond. And then as you study the trunks and see the "eyes" looking back you! The only sound is a rustle of the bright green leaves. .and the moment in time in the high country of Colorado grabs you forever! May I share. . . . . .sf

Far Above Mancos. . .

Yesterday afternoon we took a two track very bumpy trail (I dare not call it a road!) high up into the LaPlata Mountains exploring old mines, aspen groves, rock slide areas and gorgeous mountain views. Scooby Doo went along and enjoyed the jaunt also. We didn't see as much wild life as we hoped. We're still looking to see one of the elusive moose found in this part of the state. What we did see was some range cows, sheep, a friendly sheep dog, ground squirrels and chipmunks, and too quick for the cameras marmots! I did get a zoom shot of a lone hawk watching for his dinner entree to come by. I think we ended up close to 12,000 feet which we were quickly reminded of whenever we took short hikes from the Jeep. The last time we had tried this road we were blocked by a snow bank in May! No snow this time, just the wonderful still that is found in the mountains. SF