My Daughter's Backyard

Well, almost her backyard. This spot was about five minutes away from her house in Hayden, Colorado, just west of Steamboat Springs. This is not the typical view you see from Colorado but this is cowboy country from Steamboat to Craig. The skies were hazy due to the forest fires in California.

We spent several days in the area hiking, rafting and taking a few pictures.

Everyone has had the perfect picture that got away and it happened to me on this trip. Returning from this area well after sunset the the sky was a glowing red to west and I spotted 5 bucks with full racks standing on the hillside silhouetted against the perfect glowing sky. I tried to setup but it did not happen. Sometimes you have to just enjoy the scene.

Here is one more of a Glacier Lily on Rabbit Ears Pass. These very small wildflowers were very abundant but only are out for about two weeks immediatley after the snow melts.

Hey Tom, Beautiful shot of the hay fields. The moon makes a great accent in the sky. We were through Steamboat and stayed in Craig for a couple of days in May. My wife had relatives who were among the early settlers of Baggs, Wyoming (just across the state line from Craig) and we donated some items to the Little Snake River Historical Museum. Beautiful country.

Great shot of the Lily. The black background makes a great canvas for the yellow colors. When we were there the passes to Laramie were still closed with the snow. Tried to get through - didn't make it.

Tom,
Great shot.
The 'other' Colorado is often striking in it's contrast to the usual snow capped mountains. I used to live in Loveland and the trip through Rocky National to Steamboat is a great drive.
I'm heading out that way next week to shoot at Mirror Lake and Lone Eagle Peak.
Ever shot around there (west of Ward, Co)?
Any advice would be helpful?
Thanks,
Rod

Tom, nice combination of hayfields and mountain ridges. I like the long shadows of late in the day too. I'm headed to RMNP in less than two weeks for a short stay (an unusual for me summer trip). I'm hoping to catch some of the high alpine lakes in their summer splendor for a change!

I like your daughter's backyard :). The moon and the late light work for me. The flower is beautiful. Unlike the others who have already replied, the closest I'm going to get to Colorado any time soon is western Kansas this weekend :). We're staying at a B&B while my step-daughter is at camp this weekend, and will have access to a historic canyon so I'm hoping for some interesting shots.

Thanks for the comments, it was a short trip and I did not get to use my camera as much as I would have like but I am planning on going back in early August and then late Septmeber for the fall colors.

Rod: I have spent some time between Allens Park and Estes Park and there are a lot of good opportunities for photos in this area. There are great vistas of Long's Peak and I remember a really nice rustic church with a great mountain backdrop right on the highway.

Both you and Wayne should have plenty of snow left which should keep the streams flowing for sometime. The snowpack in Colorado was near a record this year. Steamboat ski area received 500 inches (an all time record) before it closed in mid April. There are many high passes that are still closed throughout the state. Wayne, I am pretty sure Trailridge road in RMNP is open,so take a bunch of good shots to show us!

Here is one more snapshot that I took standing up in the rear of my daughter's raft while she rowed the Colorado River last Sunday.

Rod, the church Tom is referring too is St. Malo's Catholic Church and it is south of Estes Park right on Highway 7. With a wide angle lens, you can shoot west to include the church and Mt. Meeker (13,000+) right from the roadway.

The church is very famous and was even visited by the Pope once!

Both are nice images, Tom, but the hayfield is really sweet. I'll bet a canvas print on a 2" stretcher would be breathtaking! I'm running a special on panos this month if you're interested...

Hey Tom. Wonderful last light in the top photo. I love the wide-open feel to this shot. And your macro of the glacier lily is quite nice. Thanks for sharing.