A household name? Not yet... but sometime soon I hope.

So, I am becoming a regular in coffee shops/galleries. It's exciting. I am seeing the world now through a camera lens, taking seminars, and mini club outings..... here are some products of my opportunities.....

Rte 94 Rush, CO looking back towards Pikes Peak (not visible)

This butterfly almost became lunch by Puppy, so I rescued him, photographed him and off he went....

The culprit,  Seems so innocent... don't be fooled....

Rte 94 in Rush CO

I stalked him while waiting for the above full moon image.

 Cell Phone photo... on my HTC Eris...

 This coming weekend, I will be back in Cotopaxi, hopefully I will get some Big Horn Sheep photos, and more... stay tuned!!!!

The Bug has bitten....

The Shutterbug I am referring to....

I sold my first print! Yep, a metallic 8x10 of my black and white Pikes Peak and fog photo.
 Now I am showing photos in a few coffee shop galleries throughout the weeks.

I need more photos... so lately I have been a leaf in the wind......



Not too much to write about, but plenty to show/brag about,  Enjoy!

 

Wilkerson Pass w/ an upcoming storm...

A cool mine car in Fairplay, a train caboose in Fountain...

An early morning in Garden of the Gods

A Full Moon shot that was an almost Fail.....

and some other photo surprises that same morning.... maybe getting up before 10am is not such a bad thing  ;)

Thanks for looking!

Back on the road again....

Well hello Spring, I have missed you!

It's been up in the 60's and 70's this week, so I had cabin fever... brushed off the camera, found the dog leash and water bowl, and decided to go take a drive. The plan was Woodland Park..... That's it, nowhere else....

Yeah Right!

Started out in Woodland Park, looking for a geocache in a series of "Colorado Spirit Quest"

Cemetery hides, cool, but spooky.

Puppy was making too much noise and a few people were starting to glance my way... so I decided to give up the search...and I believe I was sooo close too. Another day!

Ok, Now where????

The drive down Rte 67 is nice... in the direction of the Hayman Fire scar, towards Decker's.

This Forest fire location is 35 miles northwest of Colorado Springs.
The date was June 8, 2002, and this became the largest fire in the state's recorded history.

It caused nearly $40 million in firefighting costs, burned 133 homes and forced the evacuation of 

5,340 people.
The fire wasn't contained until July 2, 2002 and was finally brought under control on July 18, 2002.   The cause of the wildfire was found to be arson.

This road also follows along a mountain river, w/ waterfalls.

Ahhhh so serene!

 Now I am in Decker's - Population unknown.
Decker's is an unincorporated town along the South Platte River in Douglas County, Colorado.
 There is a small plaza w/ a country store, cafe, bait shop and a place to buy alcoholic drinks... what more could you want I guess. LOL

Grabbed some snacks... and shared em w/ puppy.  

Ok, should I keep exploring? 

Why not?

This road I am on goes on and on, up in elevation, but the views are amazing!

I get to this little place called Ferndale..... it's like they don't want visitors......

 (click photos to make larger)

Don't Make Eye Contact with the Locals
heh heh

Guy fly-fishing in another small place called Buffalo Creek, he caught me shooting this photo, so I took off.

No Vacancy? Darn!

Maybe I'll move in here instead.....

Ok, now I am in a town called Foxton.... I am seriously lost!

I follow the road around and in and out of the mountains.

I finally stop and look at a map.... Yes I said it... a MAP! I am running low on fuel, so I can't afford to be wrong. I also ask some fisherman if I am on my way back.. Thank You, I am!!!

Back into the Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods area... and a couple more photos...

I love the Golden Hour!

150+ miles, 8 hours and a 1/2 tank of gas,
but It's the start of the Phlog 2012 Spring season!

Paint Mines, and Painted skies!

So, seeing as my readers keep asking me to go out and Blog, I did. Left puppy at home, headed out to Calhan, CO.

My friend Brian and some others went to see this place in Calhan called the Paint Mines. I've heard of it before, but when I saw his photos......I had to see this for myself.

BTW..... It's cold out, and I spent New Years w/ 2 kitties in my presence, causing a severe asthma attack. I wasn't able to go explore these colorful rocks & crevices up close...yet.
Spring will be here soon, and then I can get up close. I didn't want to risk another attack due to the cold air  - as much as it killed me to hold back.


What I was able to see and photograph ---- Click each photo to enlarge them ---

Info on this beautiful natural wonder =
The Paint Mines are a collection of eroded gulches of sandstone-capped clay colored by leaching minerals, ghost-white hoodoos and elaborate labyrinths of eroded rock. They cut through the landscape southeast of Calhan, where they have formed over millions of years. Resembling the fantastical gullies and drainage's of the Badlands of South Dakota, the Paint Mines lie in the valley of the Big Sandy Creek drainage, a tributary of the Arkansas River. They are named for clays found there, thought by archaeologists to have been used by American Indians to make paint. The colors - butterscotch yellows, rusty oranges and faded greens that glow in the sunlight.

I also snagged a geocache out in my travels, some other cool photos, 

and finished a photo contest w/ a 3rd entry.

Enjoy!

More tomorrow, 

as I ran outta light, got lost, and was invited to a friends....just in time for Taco Night!

Happy Holiday's and Goodbye 2011.

Well It's been one hell of a year, and I have overcome a lot.

A lot of fears, and obstacles.

I learned I am a strong person, I learned I can drive highways, off roads and into other states.... and survive. I learned how to be a better person, and I learned God hears me.

I was baptized Aug 21st, and since then....things are happening as I had hoped.

I have had a rough year,
but thanks to my folks, and some great friends....it didn't kill me.
Patience... that's been my toughest obstacle.

I made some great new friends. I joined 3 great Facebook groups, one of which meets face to face every month.

Through this group I have met:
Try S, Brian B, Katy P, Paula M, Tom R, Brian L, Tony R, Steve and Nanci C. and more....
and I look forward to seeing them each month.... and for some, more than once a month. I get a new challenge each month, which sends me out on more adventures.

I have entered several photo contests this year, and won.
I have been successful w/ some sales of my dried flower window necklaces.

I joined a gym, and actually like it. I don't (however) like the 7am wake up. But 13LBs lost in 10 weeks aint to shabby.

I want to THANK YOU all who read, followed, and commented on my Blogs, It was exciting to know you enjoyed it. I will be back in spring when I get a more reliable vehicle and can head out further. I had a spectacular year of adventures, w/ some excitement.. i.e - tornadoes, lightning zaps, rainbows.. etc.

Leaving you w/ a couple fun photos of  "puppy" of  Getting lost w/ a .... puppy, he enjoyed my adventures also, and will join me again in 2012.

Happy New Year to all,  

Sayonara 2011! Hello 2012!

Off to find a photo of Foliage

Ok, so maybe I have one more blog in me... I have been busy, gym, and getting ready for the holiday's... but I also find time to shoot photos.

My friend Brian is limited in his pursuit of the perfect photo.. for 2 reasons...
1. He is new to the Springs, and
2. He only owns a bicycle.

Thought I'd show him our area....

A Wagon in Limon,         Cars in Ramah...

 Scamp, being a ham for the camera..... In Limon.

 Bears at Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado.
Mamma and 3 cubs... tearing up trash, and playing w/ pumpkins...

Will Rogers' Shrine of the Sun behind the Zoo....

and a random art collection nearby.. I loved the bird sculpture best, so I had to show it.

 Some of these are entered into the Manitou Springs Photo Club's monthly photo contest, October is Autumn Colors. I have a couple contenders, the last 2 photos here, and the black and white bench. Enjoy!