RECENTLY UPDATED - Colorado
Mount Sneffels and the surrounding area, in southwest Colorado, is one of my favorite places for camping and photography. I was camping there in the late summer of 2022, hoping to get some nice photos of Sneffels, which unfortunately didn't really work out, and I found myself camping next to a whole bunch of bristle thistles, which I just learned is considered a noxious weed in Colorado! Quite a beautiful weed. It seemed that these thistles worked well to attract both honeybees and a bunch of butterflies, specifically aphrodite fritillaries, like the one shown here. They were everywhere! Available in the following sizes (Rectangle A): 10x8, 14x11, 20x16, 24x20, 30x24, 40x30.
Mount Sneffels and the surrounding area, in southwest Colorado, is one of my favorite places for camping and photography. I was camping there in the late summer of 2022, hoping to get some nice photos of Sneffels, which unfortunately didn't really work out, and I found myself camping next to a whole bunch of bristle thistles, which I just learned is considered a noxious weed in Colorado! Quite a beautiful weed. It seemed that these thistles worked well to attract both honeybees and a bunch of butterflies, specifically aphrodite fritillaries, like the one shown here. They were everywhere! Available in the following sizes (Square): 10x10, 12x12, 16x16, 20x20, 24x24, 30x30, 36x36, 42x42, 48x48.
Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
I'd never heard of Piney Lake, even though I grew up in Colorado, until I appeared at an art show in Avon, and had several people recommend I go there to take some photos. So I did just that. Having now seen and photographed it myself, I can fully understand the recommendations! What a great semi-secret spot! Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I'd never heard of Piney Lake, even though I grew up in Colorado, until I appeared at an art show in Avon, and had several people recommend I go there to take some photos. So I did just that. Having now seen and photographed it myself, I can fully understand the recommendations! What a great semi-secret spot! Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40, 72x48, 80x54, 90x60.
Courthouse Mountain, in the Cimarron Range, just east of Ridgway, Colorado, isn't super famous, but it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest peaks in the State. Lying in the Grand Mesa / Uncompaghre / Gunnison National Forest, there is a great deal of dispersed camping in the region, so I found a spot to park my van for the night that afforded me this view only a few steps from where I camped. Not a bad view to fall asleep (or wake up!) to. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40, 72x48, 80x54, 90x60.
I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people seemed a good way to spend time when being around other people was not really an option. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. Many of the aspen groves in the area had quite a bit of yellow mixed in on the day I took this photo, but the forests here, along the Cimarron Ridge, were still probably a week away from reaching peak color. However, a lot of the underbrush was already at its peak, coming through in shades of orange and red. I didn't want to miss this opportunity, and the clouds when I took this photo were absolutely perfect. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people didn't pose any COVID risks. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. I love photographing aspen groves just before they reach their “peak” color. The mix of green and yellow is quite beautiful. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, 24x36, 30x45, 40x60.
I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people didn't pose any COVID risks. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. I love photographing aspen groves just before they reach their “peak” color. The mix of green and yellow is quite beautiful. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, in south central Colorado, is a fun spot to visit. Well, it usually is. I was there in early September, 2020, when winds like none I'd experienced before in Colorado came through. I was camping in the National Park Campground, and had intended to continue my camping trip for the next week or so, but greatly-reduced visibility caused by the worst wildfires in state history, combined with the just-mentioned winds caused me to re-think my plans, and ultimately cancel the last week of my planned trip. I took this photo on my way out of the park, and heard later that day that the Parks Service had to close the campground and kick everyone out because of the dangers associated with the insane wind. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30.
Forest Service Road 520, located between Creede and Lake City, Colorado, is an isolated drive through a beautiful valley. There are several lakes and reservoirs along the drive, and although I'm not a fisherman myself, when I saw this peaceful valley with a meandering stream running through it, I couldn't help but think of a fly fisherman's dream location. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
North Clear Creek Falls Square
North Clear Creek Falls, near Lake City, Colorado, is kind of in the middle of nowhere, and doesn't get many visitors. But it is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Colorado, and it is a one-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint from which I took this photo. Everything around the waterfall is relatively flat, so you'd never know it was there if not for the signs. It's definitely one of my favorite waterfalls, and unquestionably one of the easiest to photograph. Available in the following sizes (Square): 10x10, 12x12, 16x16, 20x20, 24x24, 30x30, 36x36, 42x42, 48x48, 54x54, 60x60.
North Clear Creek Falls, near Lake City, Colorado, is kind of in the middle of nowhere, and doesn't get many visitors. But it is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Colorado, and it is a one-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint from which I took this photo. Everything around the waterfall is relatively flat, so you'd never know it was there if not for the signs. It's definitely one of my favorite waterfalls, and unquestionably one of the easiest to photograph. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, 24x36, 30x45, 40x60, 48x72, 54x80, 60x90.
I'd never driven across Cottonwood Pass, which connects Buena Vista to Almot, Colorado, until the summer of 2020. I went over the pass during the day, and thought it might look nice at sunrise, so I came back before sunrise the following day, and tried a few different compositions of the area. This one is my favorite of the lot. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48).
This is a photo that could have been taken anywhere. It was taken near Buena Vista, Colorado, but I don't think the location is particularly important here. And although this is a color photograph, it could almost pass as a black-and-white. A nice, simple composition with a lot of contrast, and it worked out alright. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40.
I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a saturated orange hue. I took this photo with a telephoto lens to bring the detail of the cliffs into focus. It's a much more abstract photo than what I usually chase, but the colors, contrast, and patterns of lines is quite beautiful. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40, 72x48.
I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a more saturated color palate. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle A): 10x8, 14x11, 20x16, 24x20, 30x24, 40x30, 50x40, 60x48.
I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a saturated orange hue. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
Colorado's “Million Dollar Highway,” which stretches from Ouray to Silverton, is one of the prettiest drives on the planet. There are numerous jeep and / or hiking trails, lakes and rivers for fishing, abandoned mining towns, dispersed and organized camping spots, and scenic viewpoints along this amazing highway. One of the easiest spots to reach is the Bear Creek Falls lookout, which is a 30-second stroll from the road. If you were to drive past the small parking lot, you'd never know these falls were here, because the top of the falls begins underneath the road, itself. Quite the feat of engineering! Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, 24x36, 30x45, 40x60.
Colorado's “Million Dollar Highway,” which stretches from Ouray to Silverton, is one of the prettiest drives on the planet. Red Mountain Pass, which reaches a peak elevation of 11,018 feet, is the highest elevation along this route, and it is from this pass that one has the best view of Red Mountain, shown here. The way the red rocks contrast with the green trees and blue sky makes this one of the most picturesque locations in Colorado. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel
In the summer of 2020, I went on a cross-Colorado camping trip, visiting locations throughout the state that I'd never been to before. One such location was the Grand Mesa – the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, occupying approximately 500 square miles. It was pretty, and I'll have to return some day, and hope for better weather – there were many wildfires burning throughout the state when I visited which greatly reduced visibility. So I didn't get any good landscape photos, but I did stumble across the “Land's End Observatory,” a Works Progress Administration / Civilian Conservation Corps site from the 1930s that affords – in less smoky conditions, anyway – long-reaching views of western Colorado and eastern Utah. And because it gets fairly frequent human visitors, little rodents in the area have learned to act cute and beg for food. I didn't feed any of the cute little rodents (you shouldn't – they can become accustomed to human food and have a hard time making it through the winter), but did get some nice photos, since they weren't afraid of getting close to me. Available in the following sizes (Rectangle B): 12x8, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24, 45x30, 60x40, 72x48.