Blooming Cactus at Mesa Verde + Horse

We made a quick trip to Mesa Verde yesterday and enjoyed the cactus flowers blooming around the grounds. There were free range horses along the way also, looking their normal scraggly selves but enjoying the shade on a warm afternoon. There was also a young colt,down for his afternoon nap, and had no interest in waking for a photo shoot! It was busy there and the crowd was coming in for the holiday weekend. We are so lucky to be so close to this amazing place! 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

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

Flowers on the Mesa!

Yippeee!  The wild flowers are starting to bloom!  We drove up to Mesa Verde this morning to catch some pictures of Balcony House from a lookout point across the canyon and we were delighted to find some flowering trees and a few small wildflowers.    There are  even some Indian Paintbrush blooming on our driveway!  The day was still a little hazy from airborne dust but the sky was blue, we spent the morning enjoying Mesa Verde photo opportunities and came home to a lunch of ice cold watermelon.  I took my jacket with me and didn't need it.. . . . the high altitude sun warmed our faces.. . . and wildflowers brightened our day. . Yippeee!. . .  .I think it's spring!  sf

Beautiful Morning at Bauer Lake

On our way to breakfast out this morning we went in search of an elusive pair of Eagles that nest across from Bauer Lake.  The morning was beautiful.  The eagles still elusive so we turned to take pictures of this always special spot.  There is a stillness. There is the reflection of the blue sky in the ripple free waters.The brilliant colors of  brush lining the shoreline.  And Mesa Verde towers above all in the background.  We have come here often  but I am still amazed.  sf