In the midst of an already grievous winter, an approaching storm gradually extinguishes the landscape’s last sliver of light. The inclement weather rushes in aggressively as it envelopes the magnificent range of rugged peaks.

Extending across the page, a strip of turquoise sky is still visible above the embattled scenery. It won’t be long, though, before a cloak of cool-gray smothers the valley in a shroud of deep snow.

The high mountains assume a defiant posture as their sharp edges tear through the soft atmosphere, creating patches of bare rock. The kaleidoscope of broken terrain sparkles in blue-violet before the impending storm’s onset.

The forested foothills are distinguished by three different, overlapping tiers of conifers. As the woodland ramparts recede into the distance, the wintery colors gradually become several shades bluer.

The wide, white meadow sweeps across the foreground, its smooth surface decorated with elongated shadows. The same purple found in the snowy summits is carried down below into the very bottom of the composition.

The naturalistic drawing features muted colors laid down with a heavy hand in order to express the austere beauty displayed before a big storm. Even during the worst weather, the hidden blue sky is still there, waiting to be revealed.

If you can summon the strength to allow for patience, faith and fortitude, light eventually overcomes the darkness. Once the clouds disperse, the sun’s comforting rays warm the earth and that lost, blue sky is finally found.

An arching vault of powder-blue sky is reflected below on the surface of Evergreen Lake. The behemoth mountain known as Bergen Peak towers above, straining with all its might to touch the clouds.

The pyramidal-shaped summit pierces the atmosphere but the ambitious endeavor falls far short of the billowy cluster of vapor. Magically linking heaven and earth, the wispy cloud floats overhead as its transient contour traces the shape of the mountain ridge.

The solemn landscape delivers a spiritual message basking in the supernatural glow of divine light. The elements are conjured with mysterious edges that are softened by the vibrations generated from a kaleidoscope of stippled colors.

The lower foothills are arranged in a simple pattern described by descending layers of woven color that cascade down to the water’s edge. Glittering white waves are represented by milky tones that are scrubbed softly across the reservoir’s textured surface.

Superseded by a tall, dark pine, a swath of dense underbrush creates a curving overlook that anchors the lower left corner of the page. Directly opposite, the suggestion of more wilderness is blurred into the foreground, balancing the composition.

A late monsoon has transformed the summer into an unusually wet season. Persistent thunderstorms settle into the area every afternoon relieving the drought-stricken corridor, creating a fertile valley of green and blue.

The cool hues contradict the comfortably warm evenings experienced during this time of year. Although at night when it’s completely quiet, a faint whisper comes sweeping down from the big peaks betraying the cold winter that is preparing to arrive soon.

Composed in a somber shadow of murkiness, the resulting work is a dark self-portrait. A sliver of illumination creates a streak of highlights that defines the firm structure of an antique face.

The side sunk in deep shadow is described by a limited palette of gold, orange and dark brown. Soft shading is employed to graduate from one tone to another evoking an aura of still calm.

The understated mood and stingy color scheme is inspired by the work of the masters of old. Another experiment in line, form, color and chiaroscuro and less a study in the psychology of the sitter.

Thin, wavy hair tops a high forehead that has been wrinkled by time. Searching intensely for the essential features, black eyes are set into deep sockets below a sharp brow ridge.

A broad nose casts the darkest shadow that blends seamlessly into the ochre cheek. The stern mouth is delineated by reddish lips that dissolve into a prominent jowl.

The pinkish ear is more translucent and anchors the hefty jawline that curves down into a notched chin. The weight of the skull is supported by bulbous neck muscles that converge just above the shirt collar.

Steeped in realism, this picture is still conceived with elements of intentional exaggeration. Not just a portrait, it’s an experiment in light and shade, modeling form and composing analogous colors.

A self-portrait more concerned with the possibilities of line and color and less preoccupied with character and psychology. The picture is merely a sheet of textured paper covered by drawn forms that are filled with pencil pigment.

The head’s deep shadow sculpts the rigid structure of the face while an array of golden hues attempts to express a glowing inner-light. The pink nose, ruddy ear and indigo eyes add some allure to the numinous color scheme.

Thick strands of dark hair curl across a high forehead while tufts of muted gray are streaked into the sideburn. Accentuating the intense glare, sharp line work represents the many wrinkles and weathered features.

The biggest gamble is the verdant background that is quilted from a puzzle of interlocking shapes. The various shades of green contrast strongly with the earthen flesh, creating a vibration between the complementaries.

Searching for stability, the intention is not to achieve a photographic likeness or to evoke a specific personality. The purpose is to experiment with color and form while observing the effects that result from placing certain hues side by side.

Emerging from a violet void, the Portrait of Lukas is carefully rendered with flecks of unblemished gold. The intentionally soft shading reflects the gentle temperament of an innocent soul.

Invoking interest in this idyllic representation of adolescence is the tension created by contrasting the precise modeling of the face with the flattened grid pattern defining the much simplified shirt.

The deep, blue-violet background forms a strong complement with the child’s pale, yellow-orange complexion. The sparkling tones expressing the naive character of someone so full of life.

Influenced by his avocations, the heavy-handed line work, disentangled hair and detailed eyes is Anime inspired. A callow presence during disarray - like a kite in a hurricane or a ray of sunshine during a storm.

Warm, autumnal sunshine permeates the interior of Poudre Canyon, illuminating a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors. The splendid scene is set ablaze with an array of fiery tones that are barely balanced by the rolling, blue river.

Sturdy stands of yellow cottonwood brace both sides of the composition as patches of gray-green define their leafy profile. A line of bushes arcs into the middle ground, graduating in size, shape and color where its termination is reflected on the creek’s surface.

The rugged shallows are littered with polished stones of slate and orange while some of the bigger boulders, protruding from the deeper channel, create whitewater waves. Across the way, a pile of rubble cascades down to the far shoreline.

The steep slope is covered by an astonishing blanket of interwoven flecks of pure color that are blended by the observer’s eye. Clinging to this incredible hillside tapestry are scattered clusters of burning brush and rocky outcrops.

Set upon the crest of this high ridge is a naturally carved temple complex of sculpted columns, turrets, spires and pinnacles. The broad face of the main edifice is bleached by bright sunshine creating rigid, violet shadows.

This monumental landscape, gouged into the mountains, evokes a certain enchantment that inspires the visitor to search for more. The sense of wonder and amazement is overwhelming to the point of spiritualism.

For thousands of years the comforting, cyclical predictability of day, night, seasons and years has cast a spell over impressionable human beings. Some ancient religions were based on such ideology but many of their beliefs have been lost over time.

The Cult of the Sun would have faithfully worshiped this ethereal kingdom that is so saturated in divine purity. This unassuming bend in the gorge is eternally blessed to be flooded by two of the most powerful, life-giving forces on earth - sunlight and water.

It’s late summer in the foothills and a great blue heron is hunting quietly along the shoreline of Evergreen Lake. The chaos generated by the passing storm from just minutes ago has receded and a peaceful calm has overtaken the watery habitat.

The bird’s image is mirrored on the surface of the smooth reservoir just as the undulating landscape is a reflection of the billowy sky overhead. Above, a churning wave of bulbous clouds streams across the troubled firmament while below, a sea of tussled grasses rushes into the lower marshland.

The meadow, lake, mountains, forest and sky are described similarly so as to unify these elements into a coherent whole. The shared color and soft shading transcends the harsh reality into a more pleasing aesthetic.

The dim light knows no boundary so a certain murkiness pervades the entire atmosphere, narrowing the range of hue and contrast. The somber palette is relieved by a few flecks and passages of pure orange, creating subtle vibrations of complementary color.

Layers of pigment create a stippled texture that covers the entire surface from top to bottom. Tiny hints of the pale surface buried underneath still show through giving a slight sparkling effect to the finished piece.

The background peaks form a melted skyline that is just beyond the reach of outstretched pine trees. The surrounding woodland’s ragged edge descends all the way down to the lake’s steep banks.

The sweeping folds in the sky are a woven tapestry of embroidered colors based on slate and ochre. Ribbons of grass are matted to the furrowed terrain that radiates throughout the lower foreground.

An isolated bush occupies this frontal space, its dark shadows undercutting the suggestion of lush foliage. Its simplified form is loosely defined by an irregular contour of lost and found edges.

The reservoir’s placid surface is the result of a calm void left in the wake of passing bad weather. Once the turbulence subsides, the local inhabitants re-emerge trading dampened spirits for a more lively resolve.

Even though it’s not warm and sunny, a dreary day sometimes displays a certain beauty not observed under any other circumstances. The falling rain is a connection between heaven and earth where the much needed moisture cleans and nourishes the landscape as well as the soul.

Christmas time on the prairie and the weather conditions are brutal due to heavy snow, high winds and horrific cold. The annual winter trek to western Nebraska has been transformed into an arctic expedition.

After a week of natural destruction, the storm subsides and a breathtaking sunset seals the covenant. A cautious trudge along the frigid creek reveals the stark aftermath of such a powerful system.

The tortured landscape is a curious blend of harshness and beauty created by the unique forces from above. The low light creeping through the forest enhances the surreal atmosphere of peace and quiet.

The charcoal-colored trees form haunting silhouettes that frame the deep perspective generated by the rolling Sandhills. Spanned by delicately arched snow-bridges, the crooked waterway recedes into the distance.

The sharp stream-bank is steepened by deep drifts that slide dangerously into the frigid water. Bergs of strange shaped ice are strewn all over accenting a frozen landscape reminiscent of the far north.

Up on the hill, a lonely homestead appears out of the fading light like a ghostly apparition. It’s the only sign of civilization during this epic moment in nature when order miraculously emerges out of chaos.

In sharp contrast to the drama displayed by a solemn countryside, the inflamed sky is infused with fiery colors. The warm tones stretch across the horizon offering comfort and relief from the difficulties of the past few days.

The tumultuous storm proved to be fleeting and in its wake unveiled a bright new day. In the same fashion the past twelve months of ups and downs have concluded opening the way for a blessed new year.

Lying north of the border in the state of Wyoming, a graceful wilderness area is known as Medicine Bow. Lake Marie is the elegant centerpiece of this picturesque arrangement of rugged peaks.

It’s late autumn and this normally snowy range is illuminated by an impressionistic palette of purple and orange. The high altitude reservoir of rippling water is sparkling blue on this wind-blown morning.

Draining out of the tarn, a foamy stream cascades over a steep precipice and flows through a constricted gorge. The lower landscape is blanketed by fuzzy patches of dark forest.

The airy realm above is a rocky kingdom composed of sheer cliff-walls that form an imposing backdrop. A steep pathway ascends to the spiny crest where the panoramic views of the tundra are expansive.

During this mild interlude between the seasons, activity comes to a halt and a certain calm pervades the environment. The incredibly quiet ambiance only reinforces the sensations experienced when confronted with extreme remoteness.

Farther up on the flats there’s a stone tower overlooking the intimidating atmosphere where feelings of vulnerability and insignificance are intensified. The final, high pass is a spectacular arena of beauty showcasing raw nature at its finest.

Gashed into the northern Front Range Foothills, Poudre Canyon is a steep drainage that’s as picturesque as it is rugged. A braid of blue water snakes through the tortuous chasm while flowing down to the lowlands.

At its most shallow in the autumn, the Poudre River reveals the multitude of rocks and debris normally submerged below the surface. The lazy current and quiet solitude evoke a peaceful atmosphere of extreme tranquility.

Sinewy cottonwoods fringe the banks and the golden foliage, flickering in the morning sunlight, is even more brilliant when set against the cobalt sky. The trees cast transparent shadows that sneak passively across the coarse terrain.

The gorge is boxed in by steep walls that have been eroded into a spectacular arrangement of jagged peaks, pinnacles and spires. Peering up from within the ravine, the ridge line is described by an impressive, sawtooth profile.

A lonely road contours the winding refuge as it gradually ascends the narrow pass to its wind-blown summit. From here the scenery suddenly changes and a wide vista opens up to a treeless plateau.

Down the backside is a big meadow known as North Park where high mountains ring the expansive grassland. Full of birds and wildlife, the wetland valley is the perfect culmination to a long day navigating the trail.

The countryside’s warm colors reflect the pleasant climate of late summer while postponing the advancing gray. It won’t be long before winter descends on this northern environment and heavy snows make entry into this awesome realm virtually impossible.

Rising starkly above a sea of dried prairie grass, a pair of megalithic landmarks are backlit by the setting sun. It’s the first day of summer so on this special day the solar disk splits the giant rocks, flooding the atmosphere with yellow light.

A long, dark shadow is unfurled across the undulating terrain, reinforcing the permanence of the mysterious landscape. Grazing peacefully, a few horses are the only creatures to bear witness to the incredible ambience associated with this yearly event.

Citron luminescence radiates into the sky creating a gradient of color that extends from teal to blue-violet. Modulated by soft shading and broken edges, a web of silky clouds is spun across the crystal-clear firmament.

It’s an idyllic vision of a peaceful pastureland set in a remote section of the Great Plains. The reticent countryside of rolling hills is a place where the awesome power of nature is unmasked every day.

The landscape, weather and wildlife that define this place are sometimes still exhibited in a primitive state. The untouched and untainted innocence of the spacious wilderness inspires a creative imagination.

The striking contrast between the characteristics of each season results in a calendar of yearly events that is engraved in the mind. One of the most anticipated is the comforting, predictable return of light and warmth guaranteed by the annual summer solstice.

It’s the early 1900s and Bridgeport, Nebraska is a fledgling community basking in the sunshine of its glory days. The town is known as “Trail City, USA” because it sits on or near many trails of the Old West including the Oregon, California, Mormon, Pony Express and Sidney-Black Hills trails.

Back in 1876, Henry T. Clarke built a bridge across the North Platte River just three miles upstream from the current site of Bridgeport. This overpass improved the link between Sidney and the booming, gold-mining settlements in the Black Hills.

The exchange of goods and precious metals between the two regions flourished for about a decade. During that time a loose-knit medley of early settlers established Camp Clarke, a small village located near the river.

The actual town of Bridgeport was officially founded as a railway station by the Burlington Railroad in 1900. After the coming of the trains, the population increased dramatically and in 1908 Bridgeport was promptly awarded the seat for newly created Morrill County.

Later, an ingeniously designed irrigation system brought a surplus of life-giving water to the thirsty plains. There is no doubt that this labyrinth of water works contributed greatly to the success and growth of the local farms and ranches.

This preparatory drawing commemorates those early years during the development of the city. The image will be scaled up and reproduced as a sign to be installed on the side of an old train car at the Pioneer Trails Museum in Bridgeport, Nebraska.

This design is not meant to be a precise, photographic reproduction of that time but more an expression of the excitement evoked by the modernization of the American frontier and reflected by the futurist art movement. It celebrates dynamic movement, color and composition.

The underlying structure is based on multiple perspectives that offer unusual, but more interesting viewpoints not observable under normal conditions. The color, though naturalistic, is amped up a bit and the composition is flooded with diagonals.

A modern marvel of gleaming silver, the stylized, steam locomotive charges into the foreground guided by tracks of timber and iron. The station stop, composed of crimson-roofed adobe outbuildings, is matter-of-factly identified as Bridgeport.

Exhaust from the smokestack streams through the air towards the iconic water tower and fades into the atmosphere where clouds drift over the purple Sandhills. The bright red lettering is hand-drawn and charmingly compliments the golden border that encloses the scene.

The town of Bridgeport has continued to evolve into a thriving, prosperous community but in a lot of ways it has remained the same. Just as it did over a 100 years ago, the economy still depends on agriculture, government and the railroad.

Despite all of the technological advancements, many residents still embrace the town’s rich history. Most people agree that no matter what happens in the future, there will never be a time so illustrious as those original days of glory.

Unearthed in the panhandle that is western Nebraska, the Agate Fossil Beds are a fascinating monument documenting ancient history. From the associated museum, a steep, 3-mile trail leads up to Fossil Hills where the old dig site can still be seen.

At the end of the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago, this area was a tropical lowland and mammals began to emerge. Volcanic activity was intense and a range of mountains started to form in the west while the climate became cooler and drier, transforming the region into a great savanna where immense herds of animals grazed on lush grasses.

Common species on the prairie were Palaeocastor - a dry land beaver, Moropus - a distant relative of the horse, Menoceras - a three-foot-tall rhino and Stenomylus - a tiny gazelle-camel. Carnivores evolved to prey on these plains-dwellers the most notorious of which were Daphoenodon - a fearsome beardog and Dinohyus - a terrible hog endowed with bone-crushing teeth enabling it to scavenge the remains of other grassland animals.

Millions of years later and the mature Rocky Mountains were a barrier blocking moist air from reaching the broad plains. It wasn’t long before the high steppe became distressingly arid, causing vegetation to wither and water sources to evaporate.

About 20 million years ago a severe drought ravaged the vicinity and thousands of creatures, gathered around the pitiful water holes, perished from starvation. The countless skeletal remains produced bone beds that were soon buried in a mixture of silt, sand, ash and water.

By the 1880s wind erosion had begun to reveal the carnage and rancher James Cook discovered a few petrified bones protruding conspicuously from the earth on his property. Academics were notified and the site became a sensational paleontological discovery.

Thousands upon thousands of fossils were retrieved, catalogued, studied and pieced together, enlightening scientists with a plethora of valuable information about the Miocene Epoch. The field work is presently discontinued so visitors with the fortitude to make the hike up the hill have virtually unlimited access to the remarkable bone beds.

The trek begins by crossing a skinny ribbon of blue water known as the Niobrara and ascends the treeless slopes to the summit. It’s super hot in the summer but it’s worth the effort because the valley view from the top is distinguished by unsurpassed beauty.

The literal sea of grass is broken by coulees, ravines, draws and eroded cliffs that resemble pinnacles, spires and turrets. It’s not long before the extreme isolation and expanse of awesome landscape begin to instill feelings of precarious vulnerability. It truly is a land that time forgot.

Summer in south Texas is sweltering but if your looking for respite from the brutal heat, the Riverwalk in San Antonio is a historic oasis. The vibrant town center is a melting pot of diverse history, culture and cuisine.

Man-made canals branch off from the main stream creating a labyrinth of narrow passageways that circulate through the district. Picturesque bridges built in creative shapes and sizes span the water at convenient intervals.

Situated below street level, the tributary flows past shops, restaurants and galleries, offering something for everyone. Statues stand above gardens of exotic flora, filling alcoves that appear at every bend.

Steamy mornings on the path are bathed in hazy light and the creek, reflecting the surrounding foliage, is colored green. As the day warms up, the search for shade begins so the buildings’ shadows become comfortable breezeways.

The architecture encompassing the area is a curious blend of old and new as glittering superstructures are interspersed with antique churches and cabins. The most fascinating of these being the Alamo, an undisputed icon of the American frontier.

The somber evenings gradually get more lively after dark when revelers party well into the night. Even at this late hour, a trail of ambient lighting leads the weary tourists through alleyways back to their rooms.

The arduous journey through some of the most remote territory in the United States was worth the effort in order to reach such a unique destination. The activities and excursions enjoyed during a visit to the Lone Star Republic will always be remembered.

Offering sanctuary from the furnace of sweltering heat, a chain of blue mountains streaks across the background of a fiery landscape. The desolate environment is stark, harsh and lonely.

Despite its beauty, the desert is a brutal place that can bring your demise at any moment. Not only is the severe climate and rugged terrain a problem but a sudden snake bite can be deadly.

The wide open space is broken by terraces of escarpment that appear more red as they recede. Applied with precision, smooth gradations mask the rugged nature of this rocky netherworld.

The bleached shelf in the foreground is bathed in a bright yellow made even more vibrant by the violet shadows. Yet, the most shocking aspect is the shimmering sulphur sky that results from a mid-summer sun.

This non-naturalistic expression is not designed to display superficial accuracy. The arid plateau is too straightforward to tether with complicated details so a more symbolic approach is necessary.

Protruding from a broad ridge, an extraordinary portal to the mountains beckons the lost soul to come closer. This desert gateway is delicately chiseled out of crimson-colored sandstone.

A fine example of natural architecture, the maroon doorway allows passage from this plane of existence to the mountainous region in the next. A lofty realm brimming with cool air, clear water and lush gardens awaits.

After about a week of warmer weather, summer’s first glimmer was promptly extinguished by winter’s last gasp. The cold front swirled into the area disrupting the local inhabitants’ annual activities.

It was just days before the unofficial start to summer when an intransigent snowstorm pummeled the foothills into a deep freeze. The startling weather rebellion was a dramatic turn of events that shocked the unsuspecting ecosystem.

The sturdy pine trees were cemented with a plaster of heavy, wet snow, bending limbs almost to their breaking point. The greening meadows were buried under immense drifts that swelled like waves in a great, white sea.

Down at the recently thawed lake, the black water contrasted sharply with the frosted marshland. The fresh inkwell captured faithful reflections of the entombed valley’s stark beauty.

Low hanging clouds skimmed across the summits of background peaks creating an imposing atmosphere. The intimidating effect conjured by the surreal scene was tempered by a veil of glossy mist.

An aura of down-hearted light permeated the somber landscape infusing compositions with an icy vignette. The tranquility associated with the aftermath of such a storm was an invitation to endure its hostility.

A brisk wind and bitter cold only added more discomfort to this unusual grievance. I was convinced that the possibility of more snow didn’t exist but the resiliency of winter in the mountains has proved me wrong, again.

Erected along the grassy shoreline, a statuesque heron hunts discreetly in the evening light. The virtuous, great blue displays extraordinary patience while stalking prey in the muddy shallows.

It’s barely spring at Evergreen Lake so there’s not much activity except for an occasional ruckus raised by the red-wings. While I was in the vicinity, I never witnessed the great blue take a stab at anything edible so I hope she wasn’t overly famished.

Crumpled under heavy snow for most of the winter, the dusky marshland is slowly creeping back to life. Most of the barren trees are just now starting to sprout buds at the tips of their limber branches.

The surrounding mountains are impressive as ever after shedding their white blanket. The ring of high hills creates a sequestered valley enclosing an Edenic landscape bursting with both flora and fauna.

Because of the dramatic cloud cover, fading rays of sunshine strike the slopes at unusual angles. The peaks appear to glow, creating an inviting ambiance that hasn’t been experienced in months.

It’s getting late and as the hour slips into the blue, that heron is still frozen in place but now she’s almost imperceptible in the dark. After such a long time trudging through deep snow, it’s nice to meander on firm ground and rediscover the lake during its annual resurrection.

Stalking prey in the shallows
A statuesque heron
Hunting discreetly
Red-wings raise a ruckus
An inviting ambiance
Trees are still barren
Fading rays of sunshine
A dusky marshland
An annual resurrection

During winter’s dusk, an infinite field of celestial blue domes the serene landscape. A silky cloud sweeps over the snow-covered summit, conjuring an atmosphere of timeless peace.

As above, so below, where the sky’s serenity is reflected by the vast expanse of violet pastureland. A few horses graze on the short-grass stubble, evoking a feeling of pure contentment.

Looming over the transcendent valley, jagged peaks engrave a rugged profile out of the gloaming sky. Some last beams of fading light streak across the southern slopes, blending the realm of heaven with earth.

Soon, the constellations will fill the sky with a web of sparkling stars that blaze through the long night. Quilted into the high plain, endless patches of crusted snow melt into the mountain scenery.

The mountains at dusk are a foreboding barrier so sacrificing detail for clarity creates a more ethereal effect. The softer edges ease the tension and enhance the already somber mood.

The mountain tops form a bridge with the firmament creating a gateway to another world where Shangri-La exists. Despite the chaos and confusion of this world, some sanctuaries still survive and this alpine paradise is one of them.

Mapping the connection between the upper and lower realms is an ancient tradition that still influences my work today. Observing the visible overhead and translating its essence on the ground is the mission.

Unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos through acquaintance with nature is an arduous task. It’s impossible to reproduce the eternal but by accepting the challenge, safe passage during the long journey is assured.

Heralding the supposed start of spring, the vernal equinox is marked by more heavy snow. The struggle continues as southern storms wheel into the foothills leaving huge drifts and bitter cold in their wakes.

As the wet flakes finally stop falling, the pine forest interior is a perfect place to experience the frosty aftermath. Somehow, these defiant trees manage to survive in the difficult climate that defines this area.

Smothered under oppressive clouds, the forest is more silver than gray with hints of color that flicker in rebellious light. The trees are cloaked in an encrusted web of thick snow that binds to the needles like cement.

Limber trunks and branches bow under the immense pressure of excessive weight but they never break. The dark, frozen woodland always seems to bounce back after the elusive blue skies return.

The storm’s dispersal is certain to compose spectacular scenery as the mountain peaks start to jut out of a veil of smoky mist. The warmer air escapes and clear, cold air floods in refreshing the landscape.

The quick-hitting, fast-melting storms that occur this time of year are a precursor to the notorious mud season. The sure signs of transformation are everywhere, confirming that the predictable cycle of nature is right on schedule but it still feels like winter to me.

This time of year, a never ending cycle of storms sweeps down from the mountains burying the foothills in a frozen tomb. The ice cold essence seeps into your aching bones and the chill doesn’t thaw until late spring.

Despite the season’s harshness, the artist is lured into an attempt to capture the mysterious poetry evoked by such an austere landscape. In defiance of the somber setting, a palette of unexpected hues is required to accomplish the task.

Interred in eternal snow, a woodland valley is hauntingly diffused with the spirit of winter. Jutting out of the ground, dark menhirs are scattered across the meadow, making the composition’s structure seem monumental.

The deserted cabin is evidence of a recurring saga about the struggle between this area’s inhabitants and the environment. A phantom peak, pyramidal in shape, complements the strict geometry of the shelter.

The faltering shack is gradually being reclaimed by the land so its ragged edges melt into the surrounding hillside. It’s sloped roofing still bears a snowy load and horizontal details are scratched into the dressed timber.

An irregular border of branches is glistening with wet flakes while providing a necessary counter-balance with the other elements. The different pieces fitting together to create a swirl of interlocking shapes.

The constellation of pine tree pillars forms a natural gateway to the silvery heavens above. During this solstice dawn, a dark rift in the clouds suggests a portal to the very heart of an infinite universe.

The place is often overlooked by some who boldly march towards tomorrow. For me, it’s sacred ground where remnants of our predecessors are preserved, a memory of yesterday we should never forget. 

It’s midwinter and it won’t stop snowing as Evergreen is experiencing one or two storms every week. During small interludes, warmer weather generates some melting but, overall, the big drifts continue to grow.

On clear days, the subzero temps are brutal but the sun’s clean rays infiltrate the forest causing the trees to sparkle. The giant pine cast deep blue shadows that undulate across the wavy surface of the sea of snow.

Last summer the lively marshland was brimming with activity as the place is popular with both people and wildlife but now it’s as still as a cemetery. If you can withstand the elements, there is a certain peace that can only be found in such winter haunts.

Monolithic Bergen Peak quietly overlooks the grandeur of a frozen landscape paralyzed by the bitter cold. The mountain’s stoic expression reveals a permanence that’s reassuring during these ever-changing times.

While buried under feet of white powder, life struggles to survive as the wild animals and birds wander into town searching for food and shelter. We all share a harsh, common condition as we trudge through another day during this icy monsoon.

Storms every week
Subzero temps are brutal
Grandeur of a frozen landscape
The trees sparkle
A winter haunt
Drifts continue to grow
A certain peace
Deep blue shadows
A sea of snow
Clean rays infiltrate the forest
Mule deer in the snow
A warm interlude

It’s winter on the Green Creek but there’s not even a dusting of snow to distinguish the dark season. An icy breath circulates through the solemn labyrinth of barren trees that arch across the deep ravine.

The stream’s designation is derived from the mossy undergrowth that ordains the water’s vibrant coloring. The little oasis winds through a desolate prairie whose harsh environment leaves unfortunate victims in its wake.

The rugged pastureland is littered with historical remnants of more difficult times. The multitude of unearthed artifacts symbolize the strength of the pioneers who still endure this region’s volatile climate.

It's winter
No snow
A green creek
The dark season
Icy breath
An oasis
A harsh environment
A deep ravine
Rugged pastureland
Difficult times
Mossy undergrowth
A labyrinth
A volatile climate
Arching trees
An unfortunate victim
Vibrant coloring
Desolate prairie
Unearthed artifacts
Pioneer strength

A swift breeze sweeps across the surface of Evergreen Lake sending ripples through the reservoir’s vivid reflections. It’s springtime in the foothills so fresh greenery is on display but the willow brush and aspen trees are not yet in full bloom.

The whole Bear Creek Valley has come back to life and Bergen Peak looms over the scene, its north face cradled by a web of branches and pine needles. The reinvigorated forest reaches to the water’s edge where a slender tree leans into the vibrant landscape.

After enduring a perpetual winter of deep freeze, the vernal atmosphere raises the spirit to a higher level of longing. Like the small cloud drifting across the drawing’s page, nothing stays the same as nature seems to thrive in constant change.

Tracing the irregular contour of a scenic watershed, Evergreen Lake Trail is a looping artery centered in the heart of the foothills. On a hazy, autumn morning the water’s smooth surface faithfully reflects an unusually emerald-colored sky.

Other anomalies also occur as the pall of silence evokes an eerie sensation that is unexpected after such a boisterous summer. During this seasonal transformation, the marshland glows with a sheen of vibrant color more vivid than years past.

Surprisingly this watery world has remained fluid well into the onset of another mild winter. The predictable cycle of annual weather seems to have shifted so traditional patterns arrive later than normal, leaving the local inhabitants in a state of bewilderment.

A scenic watershed
A watery world
Cycles have shifted
Heart of the foothills
A glowing marshland
A sheen of color
A state of bewilderment

The Bergen Park Trail is a distinct walkway that circumnavigated a very old swath of ponderosa pine forest. The giant trees blot out the sun but some especially resilient rays of light pierce the canopy of sharp needles.

The subtle luminescence is responsible for the soft shadows that creep across the summer’s last tufts of tall grass. At the southern section of the green belt, the scenery opens up where a pair of little ponds reflects the scenic backdrop.

This mild season seems eternal as there has been hardly a hint of the snow that normally adorns the landscape this time of year. We will wait anxiously for the first big storm that generates the winter weather to which we’ve become so accustomed.

Stretching through the middle of Elk Meadow, a rugged pathway ascends gradually to the base of Bergen Peak. I don’t know for certain who founded the Founders Trail but I do know it’s a place where authentic beauty can be found.

A dispersion of isolated pine trees acts as a gateway to a golden grassland tussled by autumn’s persistent breeze. The stoic guardians are important compositional elements adorning the foreground of fleeting snapshots.

The easygoing excursion leads you through a mountain landscape steeped with ever-changing scenery. The tranquil passage exists as an understated niche, branching away quietly from the mainstream.

After this fall’s first snow, pleasant reflections of more comforting times wrestle with an overwrought mind. The former glory of a vivacious Elk Meadow and its adjacent woodland is now nothing but a bittersweet memory.

The graceful grassland battled to the very end but eventually succumbed to powerful, natural forces beyond the season’s control. The unsuspecting landscape was swept into a futile murkiness by an icy gust determined to steal an innocent soul.

The difficult trauma induced by such transitional change can only be overcome by the passage of precious time. The cycle of life is a callous certainty responsible for happiness and heartbreak but in either case we must possess the strength to carry on.

Pleasant reflections
Vivacious elk meadow
Bittersweet memories
An unsuspecting landscape
Graceful grassland
Transitional change
The passage of time
Happiness and heartbreak
The cycle of life
The strength to carry on

It’s a smoky dusk in western Nebraska and as the spectral light begins to dissipate, the checklist of laborious chores comes to completion. Life on the ranch is hard as illustrated by battered grain bins and ragged hay bales but at least it’s not winter when the weather is brutal.

The rhythm of life revolves around the horse as this beast of burden is indispensable to running a successful cattle ranch. This important work animal must be properly cared for from head to hoof, attending to its nutrition, hygiene and exercise.

Weathered boots adorn the fence posts, signifying the passage of another tough year while the smoldering, prairie sunset marks the conclusion of summer. As darkness descends on the home place, the work day comes to an end and the peacocks go to roost. 

On a lazy, summer day at the Denver Zoo, we trekked across the grounds observing animals during their afternoon slumber. Too hot to engage in activity, most of the creatures we saw slept innocently in their comfortable confines.

It always makes me feel bad to see wild animals held captive but in many cases it’s an unfortunate but necessary circumstance. The enclosures’s exotic inhabitants were well cared for and appeared content as they exhibited a friendly, playful attitude.

I enjoyed roaming around the gardens because I could practice taking pictures in a more controlled environment. I was intent on capturing portraits and usually a theme develops which in this case was sleeping animals.

After a busy morning rooting in the mud, red river hogs slept as hard as they live and the king of beasts looked vulnerable as he was laid out casually on a bed of lush grass. In a more touching display, two, tired otters were curled up quietly in a circular position.

While in the reptile sanctuary, seeing sleeping snakes was scary and back outside, observing a kangaroo out cold was just a little bit weird. Big animals, like the elephants and a rhinoceros, dozed during the daylight and came to life during the cool before dark.

All in all, visiting the place during such a peaceful calm made for a pretty laid back afternoon. It was a good day as I walked several miles, shot lots of photos and inspired by the relaxed atmosphere, went home and took a nap.

During the summer, Evergreen Lake is a gleaming eden treasured by floating waterfowl, rainbow trout and the great blue heron. Below the dam, a bountiful garden of wildflowers bursts forth, displaying nature’s full color spectrum.

The biggest draw is the plethora of birds that inhabit this area during the year’s warmest months. The lively reservoir is home to cormorants, geese, blackbirds, swallows, sparrows, hummingbirds, hawks and bald eagles.

The region’s wildest weather is funneled through Bear Creek Canyon so some of the most surreal clouds can be seen reflected on the surface of the lake. The forest creeps down to the water creating interesting compositions with branches shaped to follow the contour of Bergen Peak.

The popular park is a place that has something to offer everyone so the usage gets pretty heavy. That’s why summer isn’t necessarily my favorite season - I like this place in the winter, after a storm, when the only noise is the sound of silence.

The eastern most section of Dedisse Park is a sliver of lost wilderness overlooking the heart of Evergreen, Colorado. Picturesque reflections, mirrored in the sparkling blue reservoir below, circulate through the memories of all those who visit.

A dense forest of mature pine is wrapped around the hillside offering tranquility and shade from the scorching, summer sun. This niche of paradise is little known even to locals who have inhabited the area for a long time.

A steep ascent to the pinnacle of the park rewards the climber with astounding views of the surrounding foothills. As fleeting thoughts come and go, the crest of this rocky outcrop is the perfect place to focus on the clouds and clear a busy mind.

A lost wilderness
Sparkling blue reservoir
Astounding views
Little known to locals
The heart of Evergreen
A niche of paradise

Secluded in Bergen Peak’s purple shadow, a writhing dirt path snakes it’s way through a tall grass meadow. From the wavy elk pasture, you can see Elk Ridge’s dark spine curve above a dense forest of ponderosa pine.

The narrow crinkle of rocky trail is a scenic backbone that bridges the flatland with the big mountain’s steep slopes. This year an assortment of yellow wildflowers sprout from the rich turf, glittering like gold medallions in the summer sunlight.

Tall, leaning trees testify to the power of strong wind gusts that blow intermittently across the open sections of the rugged buttress. Blue clouds churn overhead promising precipitation but the atmosphere is too hot so it doesn’t rain at all.

From the summit of the natural crease in the land, the edges of pyramidal peaks in the distance are softened by a smokey haze. The current season is fleeting as during the lazy descent, departing bluebirds, turning aspen leaves and floating thistle seed hint at an early autumn.

Out in the panhandle of western Nebraska, where the desolate Sandhills assimilate into the North Platte River Valley, horses seem to outnumber the sparse human population. Circles of corn are scattered throughout the fertile basin but the rugged highlands are reserved as pastureland for cattle and horses.

Sometimes I see them as a solitary creature lost in a vast sea of prairie grasses but usually these social animals are observed in small herds. Horses are curious by nature so sometimes they approach the fence line in order to investigate strange visitors.

Horses spend most of their time grazing contentedly in their idyllic environment but sometimes they become quite playful as they run, buck and roll with enthusiastic delight. Horses are an indisputable symbol of the Great Plains and a beautiful reminder of their importance in how the West was won.

Small herds
Horses outnumber people
North Platte River Valley
Lost in a sea of grass
Symbol of the Great Plains
Grazing contentedly
Curious by nature

The Mount Vernon Creek Trail is an outlying pathway tracing the outer contour of Red Rocks' frontier boundary. It’s early spring so there’s not much foliage but the barren trees stand out sharply against vermillion crags.

While trekking over the rolling terrain, several little streams come tumbling down out of the foothills and flow discreetly into the Mount Vernon. Up out of the valley and a stunning array of sandstone formations dominate the diverse landscape.

During the delightful descent, a hidden gulch is chock full of flowering bushes featuring blossoms of pure white. Back down in the bottomlands far from the crowds above, we follow the cottonwoods and soon find ourselves in a place that feels like our own, little forest of peace.

Near the town of Moab, Utah if you keep your eyes open, you might see rock art carved by Native Americans hundreds of years ago. The most conspicuous sites are where the symbols are carved out of dark rock panels revealing light-colored graphics.

As opposed to painted Pictographs, Petroglyphs are scratched or incised into the brown, desert varnish. The abstract images are exceptionally concise but that simplicity is what evokes such a powerfully honest expression.

The meaning behind these mesmerizing works is not exactly known but the artists who created them must have been revered for their magical powers. It is an extraordinary thing to be in the desert hiking through a remote arroyo and stumble upon an ancient gallery of remarkable artwork.

Rock art
Symbols carved out of dark rock
Scratched into the desert varnish
Mesmerizing works
Light-colored graphics
Abstract images
An extraordinary thing
Exceptionally concise
An honest expression
Remarkable artwork

It’s an early winter morning and a mountain storm is funneled by a string of ghostly peaks into a remote river valley. It’s the first big tempest of the season so it won’t be long before the view vanishes behind a squall of heavy snow.

Trickling through a maze of wine-colored willow-brush, the lazy river is oblivious to the deteriorating weather conditions. The black shrubs anchor the foreground into place and bookend the wide value range this landscape displays.

Illuminated in a murky ambiance, this vista is characterized by soft edges and subtle gradations, requiring a soft touch to reproduce. More realistic than my recent pieces, this drawing still retains a certain romanticism with life in the West.

Soaring above the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point is a photographers paradise featuring sublime subject matter. While hiking along the rim’s irregular contour during the evening, the violet shadows shift restlessly across the staggered buttes.

The day’s last sunlight is filtered through a veil of thin clouds, creating dramatic conditions that are infused into the intricate pattern of wild escarpments. The vast expanse weaves luminance, color and form into a bountiful vista of visual delight, overloading the senses.

Deeper into dusk, things become more simple and obscure as the distinct shapes lose their edges and melt into a blue atmosphere. I’m not exactly sure how this place got its startling name but I do know that while occupying a remote overlook on the point, it feels like your standing at the edge of the world.

A photographer's paradise
Violet shadows
Wild escarpments
Last light
Bountiful vista
Visual delight
A blue atmosphere
Dramatic conditions
Vast expanse
Edge of the world

After enduring one of the coldest and snowiest spring seasons on record, it’s only natural that the start of this summer has been cool and wet. The continuous monsoon has been somewhat of a blessing as the parched foothills have suffered from a terrible drought that has lasted for several years.

Streaming down from snow packed summits, Bear Creek is running high and fast as it has filled Evergreen Lake to the brim. There isn’t a more picturesque place in the state when the reservoir is permeated by a mixture of drizzled moisture, breaking clouds and fading light.

When not shrouded in mist, Bergen Peak glistens with a sheen of fresh color that seems to give the mountain a supernatural glow. Thriving from the rainy weather, the lush, green meadows have experienced a profusion of wildflowers, songbirds and hungry elk.

Finally emerging from a frozen darkness, the Renaissance of good fortune has transformed the landscape into a lively ecosystem. One of the things I admire most about nature is the plant and animals’ ability to unflinchingly adapt to constant change.

Speaking of change, Impression Evergreen will be undergoing a slight makeover in regards to the delivery of emailed posts to subscribers. My current provider, Feedburner, is going away in July so I joined a new provider called Follow.it. Follow.it will send out my blog posts to anyone who follows Impression Evergreen by email.

If you have subscribed to Impression Evergreen by email you don’t have to do anything different but the delivery may not look the same so I wanted to let everyone know about the change. Follow.it is a free service that has some extra features that will allow you to control how content is delivered.

If you’d like to learn more about the content provider, Follow.it, please check out their site here: https://follow.it/about

Arches National Park is one of the most fascinating places on earth and exceedingly more spectacular than I had imagined. Upon ascending to the top of a high plateau, a gateway of rock towers welcomes you to a world of canyons, cliffs, valleys, mountains, gardens, caves, pinnacles, spires, hoodoos and arches.

The diversity of scenery is staggering as the rugged terrain seems to transform at every turn. Discovering the Delicate Arch takes you off the main road but a grueling hike up to its secluded location is well worth the effort.

From the rim of a lofty overlook, a fiery furnace of red crags has consolidated on a ridge, creating a sandy terrace of inhospitable textures. At the far, northern end of the park, there is a forbidding yet intriguing zone of arches known as The Devils Garden.

An area called The Garden of Eden is an unbelievable section of formations that will take your breath away. With names like Balanced Rock, Window Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch, and The Parade of Elephants, you can only imagine what a delight the sculptures are to behold.

The region is like something you’ve never seen before but despite its remote setting, it’s a popular destination as outdoor enthusiasts arrive in droves. Arches is one of the most accessible and beloved hotspots but the park is massive so it’s easy to find a place of solitude to contemplate the wilderness that surrounds you.

It is a late spring morning at Evergreen Lake and a potent storm has blanketed the foothills with wet snow. The only living creature bearing witness to the extraordinary landscape is a Canada goose, drifting quietly across the water’s rippled surface.

The blue inlet is defined by the irregular contours of dark reflections that mirror the surrounding pine forest. This cold channel meanders through a snowy marsh painted white but dappled with squiggly, gray shadows.

A mountainside’s choppy ridgeline descends into the narrow valley creating an effective backdrop for the stand of pale aspen trees. In the far background a jade-colored peak offers just a touch of warmth to the otherwise cool, color scheme.

This wilderness expression is an enigmatic puzzle of interlocking shapes that vibrate from the contrast generated by passages of flat and shaded chroma. The solemn composition is crackled with facets of pigment that are layered, burnished and smudged.

Lingering innocently well through the aftermath, powder-edged clouds begin to disperse into the celestial sphere above. Carefully transcribing the challenging subtleties of a complex weather event is effective therapy for an unsettled mind. 

The Delicate Arch is tucked away in an eroded, natural amphitheater that includes sweeping views across a vast expanse to the La Salle Mountains. Reaching Utah’s most iconic landmark requires strenuous effort as the two mile trek to the spectacular location is almost entirely uphill.

With a shape more sturdy than delicate, the heavy set vault is truly a masterpiece of nature’s erosional engineering. The rigid, orange rock contrasts sharply with the soft, blue sky, creating artistic compositions from every available angle.

Reaching the summit of this unique environment is worth the effort because the difficult journey through time instills appreciation for the desert’s beauty. Hordes of hikers stream through this area but not even the enthusiastic crowds can diminish the enlightenment achieved by attaining this Mecca on the Mesa.

Eastern Utah’s vast desert country is a lonely landscape that appears to be devoid of any type of life. The treeless terrain is tinted yellow as the otherworldly environment of rock and dirt exhibits a certain stark beauty.

Forming a rigid backdrop, a range of striated book cliffs punches into a boundless, blue sky. Anything but flat, the trails are a rollercoaster of ups and downs, offering panoramic views from the summits of sandy overlooks.

Utah is an absolutely gorgeous state with some of its most spectaculars places preserved as National Parks. Passing through this arid backcountry may seem dull at first but if you look closely, there is an understated charm in the vast expanse of hazy buttes painted with colors of soft pastel.

After months of record breaking snowfall during March and April, the cold streak continues into the middle of May. The frigid beauty revealed in the aftermath of a freak snowstorm betrays the dreary weather experienced this spring.

As usual dawn is shrouded in mist and you can see your own breath as glassy, white ice encases the shocked landscape. The trees are particularly hard hit but they display a defiant resolve to defeat the unexpected elements.

Stagecoach Park is barely recognizable because of the low-lying clouds that cause reduced visibility. The field’s sturdy fence line seems to extend from an impressive pine all the way into absolute nothingness.

After about a day of such nonsense the blue sky opened back up and an impatient sun went to work releasing winter’s almost unclench-able grip. Even the park’s iconic landmark, Bob the Dinosaur, has grown weary of this eternal, glacial event as it feels like we’re still in the last Ice Age.

Grizzly Creek

Smack dab in the middle of spectacular Glenwood Canyon, Grizzly Creek tumbles down out of the wilderness and collided with the Colorado River. The beautiful confluence occurs within the sheer walls of steep cliffs adorned by a variety of high country botanicals.

The rocky creek bed is a complicated conglomeration of boulders, snags and whitewater, revealing an array of sights, sounds and textures. A far away mesa dominates the view but its full profile is partially obscured by the imposing evergreens that tower above the pathway.

The scene of last summer’s devastating fire, the scars are still visible but the burn zone is beginning to blend into the vigorous greenery, concealing the catastrophe. Even after such an awful disaster, the watershed remains resilient as Mother Nature has begun to heal her wounds.

A spectacular canyon

Out of the wilderness

Evergreens tower above

High country botanicals

Beginning to heal

A complicated conglomeration

An array of sights, sounds and textures

A beautiful confluence

A mesa dominates the view

A resilient watershed

Elk in the Meadow

It’s a crisp spring evening and a modest herd of scraggly elk has emerged from the woodland to forage in the meadow. The sun’s rays are strained through a thin veil of clouds creating a milky haze that softens sharp edges.

The wild animals are scattered across the hillside, their dark silhouettes observed in all manner of activity. Most are grazing contentedly but a few are on the move and a couple are curious about the stranger who has invaded their habitat.

Intermingled with the furry, brown beasts is a flock of mountain bluebirds who sweep about nervously, their plumage glowing brightly in the low light. It’s an idyllic scene emanating tranquility and the spirit of optimism as this new season cautiously begins.

Foraging in the meadow

Mountain bluebirds intermingle

Wild animals

Scattered across the hillside

Dark silhouettes

An idyllic scene

Curious about the stranger

Spirit of optimism

Flatirons Overlook

After a seemingly endless week of bitter cold and unrelenting snow, the fog has lifted revealing a pristine landscape plastered with white powder. Seen from a lofty overlook, Boulder’s mighty Flatirons glitter beautifully in the late morning light.

The unusual peaks rise vertically from the end of the receding valley where their sharp shapes are jigsawed into the distant horizon. Streaming across the blue sky, the clouds explode like fireworks celebrating the sun’s triumphant return.

There is just enough saturation to make this vivid scene succeed but a more monochrome reflection might add drama to the already spectacular tableau. Processing the pictures in order to express the power of the impression is almost as interesting as experiencing the place in person.

A pristine landscape

Late morning light

A spectacular tableau

A monochrome reflection

A powerful impression

Clouds explode like fireworks

Snowy Sangre de Cristos

As the setting, winter sun makes its swift descent, the snowy Sangre de Cristos shimmer like a smokey, blue mirage. The peaks’ jagged silhouette is traced by a glowing contour, exaggerating the mountains’ awesome size and power.

Scattered throughout the Wet Mountain Valley, abandoned homesteads offer sentimental value to the romantic, western landscape. Reinforcing the peaceful ambiance, horses graze happily in their pastures of paradise.

Don’t be frightened by the mountains’ harsh nature and rugged features but let their irresistible magnetism draw you in. While navigating through the inevitable turmoil of a busy life, I catch myself reminiscing about these incredible crags and how they’re someplace I’d rather be.

Sangre de Cristo Range

Incredible crags

Sentimental value

Someplace I'd rather be

Awesome size and power

A jagged silhouette

Rugged features

Peaceful ambiance

A blue mirage

An abandoned homestead

Grazing horses

Wet Mountain Valley

Big, big snow

It’s the middle of March and nature has not unexpectedly unleashed a furious blizzard that has buried the foothills with big, big snow. A sparkling Bergen Peak overlooks the aftermath from its lofty position.

The pyramid-shaped monolith dominates the landscape and becomes the center of interest in the Cezannesque composition. The pine trees are completely wrapped in cloaks of heavy, wet snow that cling to the conifers like glue.

Shot from a different perspective, the peaks portrait is enhanced by a unique border of branches and laurel. The mostly monochrome mountains are quite dramatic but after a season of gray, I’m anxious to experience the first colors of a much needed spring.

Middle of March

A furious blizzard

Bergen overlooks the aftermath

Pine trees are wrapped in snow

Bergen Peak dominates the landscape

Buried in snow

Anxious for Spring

Season of gray

A Cezannesque landscape

Cold, blue creek

It’s brutally frigid on the Arctic plain but a cold, blue creek rushes defiantly through a field of icy florets. Freshly fallen snow has created a deep embankment smoothed over by persistent winds.

Providing a warm note, reddish trees are gathered in clusters that are scattered throughout the winter pasture. At 22 degrees below zero, there isn’t another living creature to be seen, making the extraordinary wandering even more memorable.

The intense storm has cleared out but even a dazzling sun can’t warm up the cushion of cold air that has filled the void left behind. The stream of transparent indigo flows in a series of sharp s-curves through a vast country of desolation. Life on the prairie is hard.

Brutally frigid

Deep embankments

Icy florets

Freshly fallen snow

A dazzling sun

An indigo stream

Cushion of cold air

Desolate country

Life on the prairie is hard

Reddish trees

"Red Mountain Range" Colored Pencil

The Red Mountain Range sweeps southward across desolate ranch land where a barren tree sets the scale. It’s sunrise and the blue light has been scattered so crimson is the only color permeating the all-powerful peaks.

The snow-covered summits are still mostly in shade but the first highlights melt into a sun-bleached sky.  The rugged chain is architectural in form as the violet shadows delineate the exciting shapes.

The remarkable geometry is drawn into the bottom lands where the snowy pastures are divided by horizontal bands of ochre agriculture. The dark foreground is a rough-hewn hedge of tall grass and sagebrush.

Visiting this site has inspired an artistic experiment about how best to express the transcendent nature of these mystical mountains. The series has come to an end but I’m not sure a satisfying conclusion has been achieved so further investigation may be required in the future.

"Red Pyramid" Colored Pencil

Constructed miraculously by the powerful forces of nature, the Red Pyramid is an extraordinary edifice rising above a remote, desert plateau. The sacred structure embodies magnificence as its eternal grandeur has survived the flow of immeasurable time.

A symbol of rural culture, the perfectly shaped monolith is a meaningful monument venerated by the region’s local inhabitants. Majestic and complex, the mysterious peak is a unique source of intellectual and social power.

Steeped in divine superstition, the supernatural landscape is inextricably linked with the celestial. Echoing dignity and inspiring awe, the spiritual summit is a magical place to worship the unreachable mountain gods.

"Red Alpenglow" Colored Pencil

Down in southern Colorado a string of snow-covered mountains looms over a broad, ranchland valley. It’s just before dawn and the sun’s rays are streaming into the atmosphere where the light is reflected onto the peaks, creating a red alpenglow.

The drawing’s obscure foreground is still frozen in a state of mystic shadow. A stand of dark trees stretches across the page as the strange silhouette is outlined in blue, emphasizing the scene’s surreal essence.

The snowy pasture gradually gives way to the rosy cordillera where the shapes are defined by passages of delicate shading. Devoid of all detail, the white summits melt into a bleached sky, confirming the mountains’ sacred connection with heaven.

Rather than race to faithfully record the fleeting nature of a transitory sunrise, it seems like there must be something much deeper. An expressionistic approach releases the artist to pursue a more personal interpretation that depends on a certain truth through exaggeration.

Northport Blues

Located on the distant side of the river, Northport is concealed in the faraway Sandhills of western Nebraska. From a high overlook, the idyllic valley is a comforting tapestry woven together from cottonwood trees, corn fields and cattle pastures.

While out on the prairie wandering with the pack, it feels like you can march a million miles without ever seeing another soul. We accompany a little creek as it makes a lonely journey through remote ranch land until the confluence with the doleful North Platte.

A herd of horses grazes near the riverbank but their curiosity is perked by the stranger who approaches their barbed fence line. Broncos are more prevalent than people as they are an important part of the very fabric that binds this frontier society.

The region has been in a terrible drought but as a result, dry air allows warm light to infiltrate the peaceful vale. With not even a patch of snow, there is no White Christmas but on this special evening while roaming around at sunset, the remarkable landscape glitters in silver and gold.

Glitters in silver and gold

An idyllic valley

Warm light

A remarkable landscape

A lonely journey

A peaceful vale

Remote ranch land

Wandering with the pack

Horses bind society

The doleful North Platte

Horses graze near the riverbank

The faraway Sandhills

A comforting tapestry

"Sprague Lake Winter" Colored Pencil

“Through art we can change the world.” ~ #twitterartexhibit

It’s a rough day in the Rocky Mountains but some of the prettiest hues on the planet can be seen at lonely Sprague Lake. A breaking storm gradually reveals a dynamic landscape distinguished by rugged beauty.

Concealed in a remote corner of Glacier Gorge, the reservoir is graced with coarse grandeur. During a tenacious winter, arctic weather crashes through the valley creating a callous environment.

A relentless force of frigid cold has infiltrated the turquoise tarn, freezing it solid. Casualties of an immortal west wind, the remains of fallen timber are strewn along the obscure shoreline.

Applied with a single layer of pure pigment, an icy palette of predominately blue emphasizes the already melancholy mood. The broken trees are angled in such a way as to exaggerate perspective lines, producing the illusion of deep space.

The solemn wilderness is topped by primordial peaks that melt into the celestial sphere. The speedy sketch attempts to express the harmony of color and composition found in nature, encouraging the artist to transform this ideal onto a grander scale.

Sprague Lake Winter is my contribution to the upcoming Twitter Art Exhibit: Cheltenham. This unique event is an international exhibition of original postcard art supporting The Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund.

LINC is a local charity that supports patients and families fighting blood cancer.

“We try to be their lifeline by offering emotional support, their relief by providing financial grants, their comfort by funding extras for the isolation side rooms and the breakthrough by funding research into potential new treatments ...

We can only be all of these things for patients and families if people choose to be the LINC too. Despite the reduced charitable fundraising opportunities during the lockdown, LINC has continued to be there for our patients. Money raised will enable LINC to fund the posts of two clinical psychologists who work to help patients cope with a cancer diagnosis as well as the added complications and fear of COVID. It is people like you who make this possible.” ~ LINC

Proceeds from TAE21 will enable LINC to continue to provide emotional and financial support for people receiving intensive chemotherapy.

Twitter Art Exhibit: Cheltenham is the twelfth installment of this open, international exhibition of handmade postcard art for charity, donated by artists from around the world.

Social media plays a major role in the Twitter Art Exhibit. It is their intention to tweet, share and promote contributing artists to thank them for their participation, and to make this event a success for all involved.

The event will be highly publicized and well attended by art buyers and enthusiasts, members of the press, local artists and the TAE community.

For more information, please check out this link: Twitter Art Exhibit

"Guardians of Snow" Colored Pencil

It’s the morning after a potent storm and Bergen Peak is a silvery citadel commanding a sparkling valley. Sprawled out below a turquoise sky, the backcountry landscape is blanketed by an encumbrance of fresh powder.

A ridge of supple conifers forms an impenetrable maze protecting the secluded kingdom from the busy world beyond. The Guardians of Snow glitter in the pristine surroundings, creating a vibrant mosaic of dark shadows and white highlights.

Up close, the forest is an abstract arrangement of nebulous shapes filled with a combination of flat and shaded hues. Blue, violet and gray are stippled across the page in free-flowing passages of pure pigment, exaggerating winter’s icy palette.

The somber color scheme betrays the glorious mood evoked from trudging through deep drifts just after dawn. Not even the frigid cold that grips the foothills can dampen the festive mood permeating a coming new year.

"Canyon of Fire" Colored Pencil

It’s summer on the desert plateau and an acid-green river slices through a blazing gorge. The ecosystem is an unbearable furnace where frustrated flora somehow survives the fierce environment.

A sweeping arrangement of enigmatic shapes is smudged into the picture’s foreground. The intentional smear inspires experimental effects that become contagious to the rest of the composition.

A garish-yellow sky radiates sour light that flashes through the infernal chasm. The sulfur peaks in the distance are softened by a subtle wash of smoky-violet haze.

Engraved into sandstone, the Canyon of Fire can only be conjured by a violent color fusion of ochre, mineral and tuscan. The Devil’s Abode dares the visitor to venture ever deeper into dangerous territory.

This rugged Ravine of No Return is riddled with a hostile array of yucca, cholla and prickly pear. Trapped in a boiling abyss of vertical walls, a steep slide of saffron offers a glimmer of hope for liberation from this savage landscape.

Sangre de Cristo sunrise

Winter nights in the high country are obscure, eternal and inclement and the inkwell of black firmament is glittered with a profusion of silver pinpoints that contradict the startling silence. It’s a beautifully eerie combination of contentment and discomfort.

Down in southern Colorado, there’s a mountain range that’s as rugged as it is remote. Rising out of a desert situation, the chain of needle-sharp peaks extends all the way into New Mexico, transporting its picturesque allure across state lines.

The mountains are called Blood of Christ and if you ever witness a Sangre de Cristo sunrise, you’ll understand why. Just before dawn, the first solar rays are reflected off of snowy summits, creating a rosy alpenglow that astonishes the retina.

The steady transformation unfolds even more dramatically when a setting, full moon shines brightly in a purple sky. The crimson sierras come into full relief as the forceful contrast between light and shadow defines the surreal shapes.

After the pinkish atmosphere gradually dissolves, a basin full of life begins to emerge. Cattle graze peacefully in a swale of vast grassland while a herd of mule deer gather around a pleasant reflection pond.

Making the trek to explore a region untainted by progress is a much need respite from complicated circumstances. Morning in the Wet Mountain Valley demonstrates an observable truth - even during times of turmoil, light conquers darkness.

Winter nights are eternal

Full moon shines brightly

Beautifully eerie

Extending to New Mexico

Rosey alpenglow

Picturesque allure

Needle-sharp peaks

Surreal shapes

Forceful contrast

Blood of Christ

The transformation unfolds

A peaceful swale

The atmosphere dissolves

A basin full of life

A pleasant reflection pond

Morning in the valley

Light conquers darkness

Bishop Castle

Rising out of Colorado’s remote Wet Mountain Range, Bishop Castle is a royal symbol of hard work, creativity and perseverance. Jim Bishop began building this unfinished, medieval fantasyland 60 years ago while using nearby rock and timber so the fortress blends neatly into the local environment.

The scary keep is designed to shoot straight skyward as a labyrinth of stone and iron ascends to dizzying heights. Not for the faint of heart, a strenuous climb up a spiral staircase is required to reach the summit of this monster house.

Once you reach the top, vertigo sets in and things begin to sway as intermittent gusts of cold air make your balance unsteady. The acrophobic experience is exacerbated by open windows, suspension bridges, exposed ledges and sketchy railings but the views are incredible.

Back down in the lower bowels of the austere bastion, a grand ballroom is illuminated by a series of beautiful stained-glass windows. Interesting details can be found throughout the citadel, enticing visitors to explore every nook and cranny.

From the outside looking up, the sheer scale of the structure begins to sink in, making you feel thankful to have both feet on the ground. The most fascinating piece is the fierce dragon that guards entry into this magical kingdom. Armed with a steely gaze, the silver serpent warns all who dare to approach - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Rising out of the Wet Mountains

An austere bastion

Grand ballroom

A silver serpent

Spiral staircase

Stained-glass windows

Enter at your own risk

Vertigo sets in

Incredible views

Acrophobic experience

Monster house

Medieval Fantasyland

A scary keep

A labyrinth of stone and iron

A royal symbol

"High Country Clouds" Colored Pencil

It’s a perfect, summer day in Colorado’s Front Range where soft clouds drift across a hard wilderness that’s constructed from wood, rock and water. The remote cirque is set below a string of jagged giants who don’t possess even a trace of snow.

As is usual in the alpine environment, a dense thicket of verdant willows inhabit the outskirts of a pristine, glacial tarn. The surface of the ice-cold reservoir shimmers from a placid wind that rushes into the valley from the west.

The high country clouds are beginning to gather and their choppy shapes reflect the rugged contour of the mountain peaks that occupy space far below. The naturalistic vision is portrayed in a more accurate, traditional manner concerning line, shading, perspective, composition and color.

The subtle hues, observed in thin air, are a woven tapestry of the three primary colors, resulting in an endless gradation of gray. A delicate mix of ochre, pink and cerulean creates lively shadows that continuously sweep across an extraordinary landscape.

Lake Minatare

Built on the edge of Nebraska’s sandhills, Lake Minatare is a secluded oasis of clear water and dense woodland. More than a century old, the remote refuge is an irrigation reservoir supplying water to the North Platte Valley farmers.

The great, blue aqua fir is encircled by a hedge of cottonwood trees that glow dazzling yellow in the fall. A terrible drought has shrunk the shoreline, exposing a wide gap of white sand and a narrow land bridge.

Gazing out on the beach from within an exotic forest, gives the scene a strange, tropical feel. It’s hard to believe such a lush, riparian environment exists in the arid plains of the Great American Desert.

Overlooking the horseshoe-shaped bay, a line of rugged buttes creates an incredible backdrop for the unique landscape. Towering above the point of a narrow peninsula, a full-sized lighthouse seems out of place as it shines over a landlocked prairie paradise.

During a breezy autumn, big clouds are blown across the sky, creating moving shadows that glide silently over the rolling ground. Many miles from the main road, the area is a place of unsurpassed beauty which is something you might find surprising to exist in this - The Land of Corn.

A remote refuge

Full-sized lighthouse

Rugged buttes

A unique landscape

Dense woodland

A prairie paradise

A breezy autumn

Unsurpassed beauty

Great, blue aqua fir

An oasis of clear water

A terrible drought

A lush environment

An exotic forest

Three Sisters Park

Settled below the eastern slopes of Elephant Butte, there is a quiet quadrant in Three Sisters Park that features a rocky pathway which loops through a stark woodland. Earlier this summer, during a morning jaunt, the peace and tranquility of this lesser-known locale was readily apparent.

On the move by daybreak, the sun’s deliberate diffusion of clear light gradually transformed the look of the lush landscape. Shadows and luminance flickered through the forest creating an effect that fostered delight.

From the trail’s highest point, an open overlook offered unobstructed views of the landmark trio of rocky spires. Jutting into a powder-blue sky, the changing works of art are continually sculpted by wind, rain and ice.

One of the most interesting aspects of the area was the existence of old structures symbolizing the spirit of the pioneer west. I’m certain the evidence confirms that this wilderness, chock-full of wildlife, history and solitude, has always been and will continue to be a marvel to behold.

A trio of rocky spires

A quiet quadrant

Changing works of art

A rocky pathway

Wilderness solitude

Clear light

A lush landscape

The pioneer west

Settled below Elephant Butte

A marvel to behold

Arkansas River Canyon

Conceived in some of Colorado’s highest country, the Arkansas River rushes down through its namesake valley. Upon leaving the state, it continues an incredible journey across the southern plains until its confluence with the Mississippi River.

Near Cañon City, at one of its most volatile sections, the Arkansas’ whitewater rapids are threaded through a chasm of devastating beauty. The timeless crevice is sliced out of red earth and its jagged, rock walls are defined by eternal shadows of violet-blue.

While wandering up to the rim of this royal gorge, a satanic sun scorches the savage landscape. The devil’s domain is a vicious mixture of greasewood, cactus, yucca and sagebrush brewed in a cauldron of fire.

Upon reaching the cliff edge, the true elevation becomes an awesome reality whose dizzying concept is difficult to comprehend. The tiny ribbon of blue, winding its way through a graveyard of broken spires and collapsed structures, seems so far away.

Descending into this hellish environment from our milder, mountain climate is a stark revelation burned into a thirsty mind. Unfairly denounced as desolate, this mystical habitat is home to extraordinary plants and animals, instilling in me the utmost respect for life at the desert’s fringe.

Devastating beauty

A timeless crevice

The rim of a royal gorge

An awesome reality

Stark revelation

A satanic sun

The Devils's domain

A hellish environment

A cauldron of fire

A savage landscape

Difficult to comprehend

A mystical habitat

Life at the desert's fringe

Denounced as desolate

"Ghost Horse" Colored Pencil

Floating out of an eerie windbreak, a white apparition confronts the viewer face-to-face. It’s a piercing dawn in the Sandhills as the ghost horse haunts a prairie hacienda.

The pale wraith is peaceful and harmless as it drifts through a moat of tall grass. Trying to bridle him, a rough-hewn stockade is suggested by an irregular grid of interlocking, geometric shapes.

Defined by a steel-blue shadow, the phantom’s head is the portrait of simplicity. His shaggy, winter robe is conveyed by the purest of white with touches of cool gray smudged into the shape.

With the rapid rise of technology, automation and manufacturing, we creep ever closer to becoming the ultimate, urban civilization. It’s heartening to come home to western Nebraska where vast tracts of ranch land scenery can still be found, summoning the resilient spirit of the Old West.

Helms Lake

Ensconced in the granite bowl of a spectacular gorge, Helms Lake is an aqueous repository of visually stunning scenery. The soaring tarn lies tacitly above tree line but still far below a fortress of towering peaks.

The difficult journey to this remarkable, alpine refuge begins in a forest of lodgepole pine and progresses through tremendous groves of radiant aspen. A cascade of icy snowmelt traces the trail and the comforting sound of rushing water placates the soul.

It’s a dim aurora as the morning light yearns to infiltrate the dense interior of the primeval wilderness. The diverse geography is a succession of tiered plateaus creating a grand staircase that culminates in a basin of otherworldly beauty.

While straining upward through different life zones, the tenacious trees gradually become more stunted and twisted before suddenly giving way to a glorious tundra. A maze of willows insulates the remote reservoir, creating a buffer between a rugged world and smooth water.

Piercing the placid surface, a cavalcade of large boulders is strewn haphazardly within the pond’s oval border. The cold water is clear like glass as it perfectly reflects the gathering clouds, painting the picture of an approaching storm.

During the descent, light rain comes down as well - offering some relief from the unusually unbearable heat in the high country. Following a brisk creek out of the big valley, numerous, single-log bridges are perilous crossings bringing us closer to home.

Back in the bottomlands, it’s a paradise for wildlife because of the vast bounty of food, water and shelter. Bighorn sheep graze across the lower meadows, red squirrels dominate the woodland, moose tread through the marsh and marmots scurry near rocky outcrops.

The unforgettable expedition was a strenuous trek that pushed personal stamina to its maximum limit. It was worth the colossal effort as Helm’s Lake sits in an isolated abyss shielded by sawtooth peaks while confirming faith in the healing power of pristine nature.

Moose in the marsh

Yellow-bellied marmot

Paradise for wildlife

Morning light yearns to infiltrate

Cascade of snowmelt

An alpine refuge

Perilous bridge

Rushing water

A big valley

A brisk creek

A rugged world

Primeval wilderness

A strenuous trek

Diverse geography

Glorious tundra

A maze of willows

Ensconced in a granite bowl

A soaring tarn

The cold water is clear

Cavalcade of boulders

Stunning scenery

Gathering clouds

An isolated abyss

Pristine nature

Abert's Squirrel

Some years I barely see them at all but this summer the Abert’s Squirrel has been unusually conspicuous. They have allowed me to document, through photography, their delightful behavior. 

The younger ones are especially curious and playful as they scurry down within arm’s length, taunting me to come closer. If I resist the dare, they continue to close the gap but if I make the slightest twitch, they rocket back to the tree trunk.

Exhibiting no fear of heights, the mature adults perch safely on tree limbs high above the forest floor. Early mornings are spent on the ground cautiously collecting pinecones for breakfast.

The large, bushy tail and long ear tufts are the distinctive features of this endearing creature. Compared to the rowdy, little red squirrel, who thinks it owns the forest, the Abert's is quite charming.

A story about the simple life of a squirrel may seem tedious but we can learn much from its interesting and complex partnership with the ponderosa pine tree. Also known as the tassel-eared squirrel, it is strictly confined to ponderosa pine forests.

The tree provides not only a home but also most of its diet. In exchange for food and shelter, the squirrel spreads fungal spores around the tree that are beneficial to the pine's health.

The squirrel has to manage its fragile resource wisely because if the exploitation becomes too extensive, the tree will go into defense mode. It will produce extra terpenes (chemicals that give pines their scent) to ruin the squirrel's appetite.

The tree's reaction evicts the squirrel but at the cost of reduced vitality and a slower growth rate. In other words, they need to get along in order for each species to thrive. Just like any prosperous relationship between plant and animal there must be some give and take.

They have been unusually conspicuous

Delightful behavior

Curious and playful

They scurry down the tree

Taunting to come closer

Quite charming

Large ear tufts

It manages its resource

Tassel-eared squirrel

Confined to a ponderosa pine forest

Give and take

Forest Bison

An enduring symbol of the Great Plains, the American Bison was driven to the brink of extinction during Westward Expansion. After a modest recovery, they can now be found in a woodland that adorns Colorado’s Front Range foothills.

The mountain herd roams through a labyrinth of sharp slopes, draws, gulches and ravines that comprise Genesee Park. There is lots of activity at the forest’s edge where this year’s spirited younglings kick, buck, run and play from dawn until dusk.

Born in May, the precocious devils are born into the world big and agile. The whole congregation is pretty protective and the cows collectively take care of the calves for about a year.

They are reddish-orange at birth but their coloring gradually deepens in concert with the development of their fierce independence. On this warm summer evening, the different individuals engage in various behaviors such as resting, grazing and rock climbing.

The easy-going adults move efficiently through the timber as they’ve adapted wonderfully to their high altitude home. Even during the harsh winter, these confident creatures bulldoze through deep snow and conquer the steepest hills.

Taking his cue from the long shadows that creep across the landscape in low light, the dominant bull guides his scruffy flock into a deep valley. Vanishing below an array of pale peaks, the last of the buffalo fades quietly into the gloaming like a dark apparition.

Found in a woodland

An enduring symbol

Calves are born in May

A deep valley

They kick, buck and play

They are reddish-orange at birth

They've adapted wonderfully

The whole congregation is protective

A bull guides his flock

Resting calves

An array of pale peaks

Genesee Park

"Blue Bergen Peak" Colored Pencil

Below a blue Bergen Peak, the late winter landscape is a clash of complementary colors, changing seasons and converging perspectives. The spirited mood is heightened by stylized shapes, gradual shading and the application of dense pigment.

Burning under a bright sun, the fiery field in the foreground blazes across the picture plane from crimson red to Spanish orange. The confusion of excessive detail has succumbed to a smooth gradient of analogous colors.

A stubborn remnant from a recent storm, a drift of deep snow lingers in the shadows of a troublesome gulch. Patches of still more snow are scattered across the vermillion grassland that recedes into the distance.

A remarkable pine tree explodes into the composition from the right, dwarfing the other elements during its desperate call for attention. It’s vibrant foliage is an organic swirl of light and shadow that is splayed out into the air.

The sky is broken into two tiers of different compartments separated by a soft-edged line. Pockets of lucid atmosphere show through the bulky tree’s canopy, allowing birds to fly through freely.

Bergen Peak’s boxy profile is painted with blue which designates it to the background. Its dark value sneakily compresses the space, creating a tension that adds subtle drama to the scene.

Another in the Bergen Peak series, this drawing is more expressive as it displays artistic license with flowing contours and saturated color. The mountain is a beautiful, local landmark whose perfection is impossible to reproduce but it’s intense magnetism has issued a challenge that is too strong to resist.

Elk Calves

Rocky Mountain Elk are the undisputed symbol of Evergreen, Colorado where they roam freely from one end of the community to the other. Their annual movements are synchronized with the seasons, becoming an integral part of the natural rhythm of life that exists in the Front Range Mountains.

Yearly events staged by the local weather, flora and fauna are predictable benchmarks offering some comfort during these uncertain times. Trustworthy examples featuring all kinds of wildlife occur like clockwork and sometimes the display is quite spectacular.

The great elk rut in the fall is one such spectacle when massive bulls fight for possession of a harem of breeding cows. During the winter, the herd congregates en masse while struggling to survive harsh conditions worsened by deep snow, frigid temperatures and a meager food supply.

Returning in the spring, the haggard animals look gaunt and shaggy but after a few weeks of gorging on fresh grass, their form becomes sleek and well-nourished. This is when the pregnant cows break from the group and give birth to rambunctious little ones.

By the middle of summer, the elk population explodes with the sudden arrival of so many white-spotted calves. Unable to stay still, the babies are up and moving almost immediately, exploring their wondrous surroundings.

Just like any happy kid, they squeal with delight - running, kicking and bucking while playing in a field of tall grass. Craving some much needed rest, the exhausted mothers are remarkably tolerant of the childish antics that swirl around them.

As the elk calves grow stronger, the cycle continues and soon the bulls’ haunting calls will fill the air, foretelling the first snow. Disheartening as it may be with the planet currently turned upside down, it’s nice to know that the wapiti’s world remains the same.

Middle of summer

Wondrous surroundings

Unable to stay still

Undisputed symbol of Evergreen

Annual movements

Happy kids

The population explodes

A predictable benchmark

White-spotted calves

Rambunctious little ones

The mothers are tolerant

Childish antics

A trustworthy example

The cycle continues

The wapiti's world remains the same

"Mountain Basin, Summer" Colored Pencil

This unforgettable landscape is located in Colorado’s southwestern mountains where during the summer, winter snowmelt is washed through a deep basin. The tapestry of varied terrain is a fantasyland featuring willows, wildflowers and a dazzling waterfall.

Soaring over the incredible scene, jagged peaks possess a pinkish hue in the afternoon’s soft ambiance. The mellow light creates elongated shadows that define the fantastic shapes inhabiting the scenic valley.

The luminous blue sky is reflected in the thread of clear creek that carves a pathway through dense underbrush. A precipice of golden cliffs forms a steep stairwell that descends all the way down to the water’s edge.

Slabs of white snow still cling to the rock wall that encloses the wondrous canyon, betraying the fleeting nature of the dry season. Before long, the moraine will be concealed under a thick layer of glacial ice but this sketch is a sensitive reminder of a joyful, summer evening spent in the San Juans.

Bergen Gulch

Settled below the southern slopes of Bergen Peak, Bergen Gulch is a discreet wetland that supports flowers, birds and wildlife. This time of year the cattails are beginning to ripen and the lupine are in full bloom so blackbirds and elk engage in a territorial dispute over the bountiful land.

Filling the discreet ravine, the large-leaved lupine are massive plants whose ladder-like blossoms climb towards the sky. The hungry wapiti are anything but gentle as they tromp through the purple field, consuming a huge swath in a single sitting.

The little red-wings have fledged so while they’re learning to fly, their protective parents aggressively dive-bomb anyone who happens to wander into the area. The conglomeration of chickadees, juncos and nuthatches is small but noisy as the busy birds scour the ponderosa pine for anything edible.

Branching off from Bergen Peak’s most beautiful side, the muddy drainage, depending on the season, varies from a trickle to a deluge. The small valley is surrounded by steep hills, littered with fallen logs and broken by rocky ground, making nimble footing a necessity.

After the chaos of completing another week, the serenity from spending time in nature is sought but there is difficulty finding somewhere secluded. During the summer, when the main parks are occupied by lots of people, this place always seems to be pretty quiet.

Southern slopes of Bergen Peak

A discreet wetland

Lupine are in full bloom

Large-leaved

Massive plants

Ladder-like blossoms

Elk territory

Bountiful land

Hungry wapiti

Spending time in nature

In a purple field

The place is pretty quiet

Consuming a huge swath

Summer light and shadows

During this season, when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, the foothills landscape is defined by distinctive summer light and shadows. Evenings are particularly special because beams from the setting sun pilfer through cloud congregations, resulting in a rather dramatic effect.

At dusk, the mountains turn blue and the trees in the meadow, before casting long shadows across the undulating field, are traced by a luminance that glows. Delicate wildflowers become translucent when their obscure niche is struck by the fading radiance.

Sunsets at the lake are magnificent because now water, which reflects the glorious scenery, has been added into the equation, expanding your viewing pleasure. The peaceful ambiance becomes even more soothing when the rain settles in and, rather than induce melancholy, the muted atmosphere germinates solutions to perplexing problems.

The blossom garden is bursting with optimism as the wind-blown flowers dance joyfully across the preserve of fresh greenery. The gorgeous grounds are a cheerful place to linger because ebullient portraits can be composed from out of the darkness of a somber vignette.

The weather is warmer

Fading radiance

Distinctive light and shadows

Delicate wildflowers

Forest dawn

Evenings are special

Beams pilfer through clouds

A dramatic effect

Bursting with optimism

An obscure niche

Dancing joyfully

An ebullient portrait

Blossom garden

Blue mountains

Peaceful ambiance

Gorgeous grounds

A cheerful place Glorious scenery

Traced by luminance

Viewing pleasure

Soothing rain

Muted atmosphere

Induced melancholy

A somber vignette

Fresh wildflowers

Luminance

Roxborough State Park

Situated at a geological flash point where the prairie meets the mountains, Roxborough State Park is a study in contrast between shapes, textures and colors. Sharing space in this rare environment, smooth, angular, red rocks shoot skyward from out of a bed of broken, nebulous, green scrub-brush.

The spectacular esplanade is positioned below the Front Range on a narrow plateau overlooking the South Platte River wetlands. A long string of jagged peaks recedes into the distance and fuses with a solid plate of brilliant, blue sky.

During the summer, sweltering heat is stifled by a taut breeze that gusts through a labyrinth of dense woodland, open meadows and vermillion spires. The isolated Eden is unpopulated by human presence and it is mostly deserted except for a plethora of butterflies, a few deer and a pair of hawks circling overhead.

The highlight of the preserve is a deep chasm named Fountain Valley where the inspiring views from an overlook are expansive. Once inside the slender gorge, sandstone towers surround the hiker, cutting off any connection with the outside world.

Long, blue shadows define the rocks’ surreal shapes in the low, morning light. Down in the lower end of the canyon, near the historic Henry Persse Ranch, an incredible formation is called Washington Rock because it actually looks exactly like George Washington’s profile!

Willow Creek is a diminutive gulch that drains this natural city of crimson crags and leads the visitor back down to a tamed grassland. Similar landscapes along the corridor are known as Garden of the Gods and Garden of Angels but after my experience in this Garden of Providence, I’ve discovered it to be just as divine.

Prairie meets the mountains

A study in contrasts

An isolated Eden

A rare environment

A long string of jagged peaks

A spectacular esplanade

Sandstone towers

Crimson crags

Washington Rock

Fountain Valley

A narrow plateau

Surreal shapes

Labyrinth of dense woodland

Garden of Providence