I took this picture at the Sand Crane Festival in Monte Vista, CO in mid-March. Below this post is another picture of the cranes flying over the sunset. The cranes get along with other birds, like geese and ducks.
Latest
The Sand Cranes of Monte Vista…
Thousands of Sand Cranes pass through Monte Vista, CO twice a year. In mid-March, they land at the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge, which is a few miles south of town. The birds take part in a mating dance with hopes of finding a mate. The cranes are about 4 feet tall and weigh about a dozen pounds. At sunset, they flock from the mountain fields to a pond along the dry plains.
Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area, Ouray County, CO…
The Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area is the most beautiful mountain range I’ve seen in Colorado. It’s located south of Ridgeway, CO heading toward Telluride. I had a chance to see the range on a picture perfect day. I parked in a lot and took in the sights for about a half an hour.
Box Canyon Falls, Ouray, CO…
Box Canyon Falls is located in Ouray, CO. It’s a popular spot for ice-climbers. Box Canyon used to be a mining community, now it’s a recreational area. I visited Box Canyon Falls in March 2012. The canyon was coated in a thick layer of ice and dozens of climbers were knifing their way up it.
Red Mountain Pass in the San Juan Mountains…
Red Mountain Pass is located in the San Juan Mountains in between Ouray and Silverton. It’s named after the iron oxide laden rock that holds it together. Part of the pass can be difficult to drive on due to its narrow roads. According to folks who I talked to in Ouray, it’s often closed during the winter months due to avalanches.
Mountains Out Near Durango, CO…
I took this picture from Silverton, CO – about 30 miles from Durango, CO. In the distance you can see the rigid mountains that straddle the city of Durango. Durango is located in La Plata County, CO.
The Old Mining Town of Silverton, CO…
Silverton is located in San Juan County, CO. It’s an old mining town. I traveled to Silverton via Red Mountain Pass from Ouray. As far as population goes, Silverton is pretty small. Roughly around 500 people. Neat place though.
Bear Creek Wilderness Area, San Miguel County, CO…
I don’t know much about the Bear Creek Wilderness area, except for the fact it’s a very popular area for adventurous skiers and snowboarders. I took this picture from a park in Telluride, CO.
Last Dollar Road, Ouray County, CO…
Last Dollar Road is located along Highway 62 in Ouray County, CO. It begins one mile west of the Dallas Divide. From what I hear, it’s absolutely breathtaking in the fall. I drove it in March 2012. The winter colors were stunning. As much as I love colorful photographs, I turned this black & white.
The Dallas Divide, Ouray County, CO…
If you drive south of Ridgeway, CO and head toward Telluride – you’ll pass over the Dallas Divide. At nearly 9,000 feet, the Dallas Divide is a high mountain pass that stretches nearly 12 miles. The pass rides between the San Juan Mountains and the Uncompahgre Plateau. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado.
Wilson Peak in San Miguel County, CO…
Mt. Wilson is a 14,000 foot peak in the Lizard Head Wilderness area of the Southern San Juan Mountains. I took this picture south of Mountain Village, near Telluride, CO. You might recognize the main peak on Mt. Wilson. It’s the mountain in the Coors Brewery logo.
Mt. Sneffels in Ouray County, CO…
It’s one of the most recognizable mountains in the San Juan Region, Mt. Sneffels. I snapped this picture on my way back from Telluride heading toward Ouray.
Snow Packed Streets in Telluride, CO…
This was my first time visiting Telluride. I was blown away by the tiny town when I drove down its main street. It looks like it was pulled from a Christmas card. The folks I met in town were really nice. Very polite. I love mountain folks.
Bold Mountains in Mountain Village…
One of the towns I’m staying in this weekend is Mountain Village. It’s Telluride’s next door neighbor. It’s really nice. I assume the folks who live here are wealthy, judging by the size of their homes. I met a nice couple from Arizona at the resort I’m staying at. They were curious to know why 9news was in town. That’s the most common question I get from people when I’m far away from Denver.
Warn Out Barn in Placerville, CO…
I’ve never been to Placerville before. This was my first time. There’s not a whole lot there. A few homes and a warn out barn. It’s beautiful though.
Quiet fields in Rifle, CO…
Rifle is a tiny town in Western Colorado. I’ve passed through it a dozen times and even stayed over at hotel there one night. You can find some pretty beautiful fields in Rifle, including this one.
The Dusty Mountains in Glenwood Springs…
I always enjoy driving through Glenwood Canyon. There’s something gothic about it. I also enjoy the entrance to Glenwood Springs. I’ve only seen it during the summer. This was my first time seeing it in the winter. The mountains to the south were brilliant.
Heading to Telluride/Ouray to tell some stories…
On Friday morning I’ll depart from Denver and make the long trek to Telluride (6.5 hours). I’m heading to that neck of the woods for the weekend to tell a couple of stories.
I’m excited. Really excited. I’ve wanted to visit Telluride since I moved to Colorado 2 1/2 years ago. I’m a tad bit nervous about the weather conditions.
Before I left work Thursday Kathy Sabine told me it could be dicey at times. She also said the snow should calm down some time during the mid-morning.
I’m going to spend Friday and part of the day Saturday in Telluride. The rest of the day Saturday I’ll be in Ouray, shooting another story.
On Sunday, I’m heading to Lake City — which is 3 hours from Ouray. I have to meet the Sheriff of Hinsdale County out there for a story, before I head back to Denver.
Please make sure to check back, because I’m going to update this website all weekend with some remarkable pictures!
Spring Flowers in Crested Butte…
Where else can you find flowers as beautiful as the ones that pop up in Crested Butte during the spring-time? As I continue to look through my photography archive I keep finding pictures I never posted.
This one is from a weekend-trip I took to Crested Butte. I took this long Highway 12 just as I was leaving Crested Butte and heading to Marble.
