Just days before colors changed...

Staunton Park is one of my favorite Colorado state parks. It is also becoming increasingly popular, so get there as early as possible if you want to hike there. And the easiest hike is just over 2 miles to Davis Ponds.

 

Orange and purple

Yeap, we did it again... I mean, we spent a couple of hours in the Denver Botanic Garden ;) And, honestly, there aren't many better ways to spend a Sunday morning ;)

 

Gold in Golden, again :)

Hmm...actually I'm not talking about real gold. I just refer to leaves in the color of gold. Just go there in September and walk along Clear Creek and... you won't regret it!

 

Beautiful flowers in a beautiful garden

...and I'm not talking about the Denver Botanic Garden ;) This Sunday we checked out another (that I like at least as much as the Botanic Garden) - Hudson Gardens. Less known, less sophisticated and plant-rich, but still a pleasant place to stroll around.

 

Mountains and trees

It was a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning and I was heading somewhere... but before I got too far, I changed my mind and ended up at Cherry Creek Park ;) I wasn't planning on doing any serious hiking... just wanted to spend an hour or two in the woods, and this place suited me quite well...

 

Bits and pieces...

Flowers are beautiful, aren't they? But today I want to look at blooms differently... Instead of the whole, I want to look at the parts. At bits and pieces. See the colors and shapes... And I'd like to start from this poppy... Bright and intricate...

 

When the water sparkles...

It was a good Sunday. I mean... good if you like rain ;) Just exactly what we needed. But the rain stopped, and the sun came out from behind the clouds, and the drops of water sparkled like precious stones sprinkled on the leaves...

 

Beautiful flowers

Flowers, flowers, flowers... Every year they look the same and at the same time different. Every spring I see them around and... I can't pass by without stopping and taking a photo or two...

 

Tulip day

Yes! The tulips at the Denver Botanic Garden are in bloom and, as always, absolutely stunning!

 

Elk Bugling

The first snow falls in Rocky Mountain National Park as early as October. And the elks move down and through the valley, where they still find some grass to eat. The grass is no longer lush and green, but still better than nothing.

 

After the rain

It's been raining in Denver for the past few days. And not only did it rain, but there was also sleet... Actually it was nice to have some moisture, and I have nothing to complain about, it's Spring after all isn't it?

 

Yellow, bright yellow...

What is the most colorful time of the year, I would like to ask... And I think the answers will vary. Some will say that it is spring, when flowers bloom and bring different colors into the world. But some will say that it is fall, when bright hues of yellow and red dominate and overpower all other colors...

 

Bird's Island

Let's go around the lake... And look for birds (and more). We'll start with a hike around Standley Lake, and continue through the City park, and end with a walk around Belmar Lake. Yep, I will mix the pictures together and... the landscapes may be a little different, but the birds in all three places are very similar... so there's no point in separating them ;)

 

Macro beauty or beauty of macro?

Nothing can stop Spring. Not days of cold. Not a strong wind. Not even snow... Nothing...

 

Perfect Sunday in Nederland...

Once upon a time... one Sunday in March we decided to go somewhere... We unfolded the map and  put our finger on it. Oops... we've picked the wrong page and have to head across the ocean to the Nederlands. Too far for a short Sunday trip, huh? But we looked at the right map and figured out that we also have Nederland in Colorado too ;) And it's not very far away... and the road there is just beautiful!

 

One warm day is enough...

What do we all like about Colorado? Changes, I think. Everything is changing rapidly here. The weather is never predictable. And even one warm spring day is enough for all plants to start sprouting leaves, flowers, branches...

 

To rush or not to rush...

Just a week ago everything looked so promising. And some trees responded to the call of spring and started unwhirling the flowers, and it looked amazing. You remember these pictures, don't you? Click here if you want to refresh your memory - Bright and fresh... The next thing, as we all remember, was almost a foot of snow covering the ground and destroying those who were in a hurry to show up... Even though the snow melted quickly, the damage was done... Believe it or not, but this is the same tree on which the bee collected nectar a day before...

 

Bear Creek to Evergreen

It was a nice and hot August day and we were planning to go somewhere. Somewhere close, cool and... with beautiful scenery along the way. Evergreen came to mind, and there is no better road than the windy Bear Creek Road. And we had good company too ;)

 

One character show

Friendly and curious...

 

Fresh and bright ;) part two...

Just a few more pictures of the early spring treasures... Same buds and flowers... or maybe different ones... you tell me ;)

 

Bright and fresh...

Spring is here. The first leaves and flowers... there is a smell of new life around. And it's impossible not to look at all this beauty. So... let's take a really close (I mean it) look at this...

 

Spring Close-ups and reflections

Spring is not the best time for going out with the camera. The colors are faded, the weather is not always friendly, and many subjects are not ready to pose. But... it's a good time for some close-up shots. And if you are after details and patterns, you don't have to go far... just walk around and look. But let's start with something else - what about a hike on Barr Lake? A light hike around the lake is always fun and the weather is mostly nice there (if not too windy :) ). This morning it was nice and quiet but... really cloudy. The sky was unusually gray and blended perfectly with water... And the bare trees created cool silhouettes against this background...

 

One morning in July...

I know everyone expects to find some nice flowers in July and in March no one is looking for them. But... why not? And I totally understand, I will have no luck finding any if I just go outside (and, to be honest, I have no intentions of going because it's freezing cold outside)... but I can still find plenty if I look at the pictures taken in July ;)

 

Christian Dior - accessories (part 6)

Yeah, it was absolutely amazing... All those dresses... all the colors... wow! The latest room and collection was particularly wild and beautiful (click here - Christian Dior - OMG or rampage of fantasy...). But... there was something else in these rooms, somehow even more interesting. All these dresses were something... something that was created once and for someone special to wear. Sure they've expensive... but, probably, not enough to make dressmaking a commercial success. But accessories are a different story. There is something that can be mass produced and sold to everyone...

 

On the road. Between Santa Fe and Taos, NM

We've had so many trips to New Mexico over the years... And no one has been the same ;) So this time we spent a nice and impressive day in Santa Fe, exploring a lesser known part of the town (click here to see what we found! - Santa Fe, Cristo Rey church district). The next day we woke up in our Airbnb to a delicious breakfast burritos served by our host. What a nice way to start the day ;) Anyway, we were soon on our way and headed back home. But... As usual we took the long road instead of the convenient and quick highway ;) This time we took the High Road to the Taos Scenic Byway. This winding road begins in Espanola and passes through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, home to Native Americans and early Spanish settlers.