Gardening.....

Those of you following this blog for a while no that I am an avid gardener....  I had tons of lovely squash blossoms this year, but alas on one zucchini!

Something Lurking Behind the Rocks

On our recent trip to Rocky Mountain National Park we encountered some of the 'locals' on the alpine tundra........

The the ubiquitous RMNP Elk

One of our friends has a radio collar (right)

Logging Cabin near Ranger Lakes

The State Forest was originally managed for the lumber industry........now long gone.....

Real Moose at Brainard Lake

 The Moose statue had wonderful detail.....

 But lest you fell cheated, here are some real local moose.

 These guys were actually hanging out at Red Rocks Lake (Brainard Lake recreational area)

Moose at the Colorado State Forest

North Park is considered the 'Moose Capital' of Colorado.  Moose viewing is what the State Forest is best known for, but on three visits we saw lots of evidence (mostly droppings) but no real moose.  However, there is a life-sized moose statue at the Visitor's Center:

The big guy......

And me for scale......

Camping with Kelly at the Colorado State Forest

Before we became a two-dog family

The Dogs at Lake Agnes

Kelly (black) and Andy watching the fishermen at Lake Agnes

Clouds above Lake Agnes

Returning to the North Park Area: The Never Summer Range

Lake Agnes in the Never Summer Range

A fairly easy hike above the Ranger Lakes area.

State Forest #6: March of the Pine Beetle

I mentioned this creature a few days ago.  It has turned green forests a dead red.

Michigan Lake at the Colorado State Forest.

Colorado State Forest #5

Aspen

Colorado State Forest #4

Along the path.

Colorado State Forest #3: It Really is that Blue!

As usual not a cloud in the sky.  Which doesn't make for an interesting photo unless you add a dead tree!

Also at the Colorado State Forest.  No color adjustments and no polarizing lens because I was using a rangefinder......

Colorado State Forest #2

Tree Fall

The Colorado State Forest

Technically the name is "Colorado State Forest State Park", but that's a bit cumbersome.  Located near Walden on the east edge of North Park and directly over the Never Summer Range from Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a real gem until the Pine Beetle arrived.

Back at the Boat House

The Lake Waneka Boat House,  Summer scene.

The new boat house was dedicated last summer; the origianl was burned down by arsonists.  The Police caught them, and the new baothouse is actually better than the first!

Front Range July #2

Argentine Pass

Waldorf Wall

Waldorf is one of many ghost towns at the top of Argentine Pass

Not much left, but this year we hope to get to Santiago, 

the most complete of the Argentine pass ghost towns.

Front Range July

Indian Peaks at Brainard Lake

July 4th Weekend

Calendar 2010: July on Mt Evans

 One of our Mt Evans Rocky Mountain Goats.

America's Birthday

July 4th

Independence Day

Shirt Tail Peak

One of the major climbing sites in Eldorado Canyon.

The trees on the far wall provide some scale.  They are full grown.

Textures

Granite Close-up

Paw Prints

A close-up of the Bastille reveals a climber's route.