PHOTOS ON THE FLY

I bet you wonder why these images have been on my blog for 2 weeks with no comments!!  That is what turning 80 does - gives you an excuse for laziness and forgetfullness.  Anyway these are some shots taken "On the Fly" from our car travelling usually at 60 MPH on the way to Aspen.  It was the end of July, and as we left Crested Butte rain was predicted.

But heading over Kebler Pass some blue sky was still showing.  However, clouds hung low over Marcellina Mountain forboding indication of what miht lay ahead.

The Aspen trees are lovely in rain or shine, as they were that day above the lush green of the undergrowth,   A very wet summer in Colorado had some advantages.

Going over McClure Pass the Ragged Mountain in the distance were shrouded in clouds,

Coming down out of the highlands near Paonia, we passed a lovely lake.

And encountered 2 young bucks out for a stroll.

Paonia Resevoir was full to the brim as was Blue Mesa near us.  Despite the cloudy weather, people were there enjoying their boats and fishing.

Coming into Glenwood Springs the sky cleared enough to show off the red rock cliffs inall their splender.

Heading East again along the Colorado River outside of Glenwood Springs, the rafters were there in

great numbers.

I always marvel at the engineering of the roads through the Glenwood Canyon.  One way follows the Colorado River at ground level. while the other is high above weaving through tunnels curved through the canyon walls.

Returning at the end of the week we were treated with sunshine and blur skies.  The ancient sand dunes stood out against the mountains.

The tunnels were well lit and that time of day not crowded so it was pleasant driving.

The River was a nice blue reflecting the sky, and this shot shows the railroad tracks on the south side  and the 2 level road on the north.

Before traversing the pass on the way home, we took a brief detour to the town of Marble.  Located on the Crystal River it is known for it's mable deposit which were used for the Lincoln Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Washington, and Municipal buildings in New York and other major cities.  We stopped at a shop with many beautiful marbel carving in the yard, this one of 3 horses being only one.

This lovely lake outside of town reflected some of the surrounding mountains.

The blue sky persisted the whole trip home and I couldn't resist a photo of some of the mountains nearer home.  A wonder trip all in all.

RAFTING THE TAYLOR RIVER

Having had a pleasant rafting trip on the Gunnison, Scott wanted to take his Dad down the Taylor. 

The Taylor River which comes from higher up in the mountains is faster running, with a lot of boulders.

We drove up to the launching area and while I waited for the men to unload the raft I grabbed a few photos

Among the wildflowers I found this pick rose bush growing near the river.

As the raft sat at the water's edge

I took this photo of the waiting waves.

But I was ready when the rafters launched from the shore.  

Having photographed our son last summer when he took his kayak down this river, I knew the good places to stop to grab a shot, but I saw no raft.

 Thinking perhaps the fast moving river had already caarried beyond that point, I moved on to the next.  Still no raft in sight.

Trying not to be concerned, I moved on, and just waited!!  Eventually I was rewarded with this sight -

They looked OK though I noticed Chuck was now hatless.

I watched them successfully run the rapid and moved on to the next location.

Well ahead of them I had time to again take a few photos.

And watch this fisherman trying his luck in the river.  However I never saw him land a fish.

Driving on ahead I watched them successfully maneuver a rocky part of the river.

And grabbed a few flower shots before leaving to be there at meet them at the landing.

Back in relatively calm water I saw nothing but smiles - that was until I got my husband in a warm car and the shivering began.  The story was - sitting too high in the raft they upset very near the beginning of the trip

BACK IN COOL COLORADO

I can't believe that it has been 2 1/2 months since I have added to my blog.  Guess I should attribute it to advancing age, lack of energy, or maybe just too busy having fun.  I like the last excuse.
Anyway, here we are back in Colorado, in our rented home in Gunnison, where the weather is cool and the views still beautiful, and the neighbors friendly.  Who can ask for more.  I have taken many photo as always, and when we arrived about a month ago, we immediately sought out what was unique about Gunnison.

 We arrived in the middle of the "Cattlemen's Days" and the 115th consectuive rodeo.  Gunnison
was the site of the first rodeo in the state of Colorado, and the week remains an important celebration.

 It was attended by locals and out of towners of all ages, including this charming young cowgirl.

 The event began with a stirring patriotic celebration led by beautiful adult cowgirls carrying banners
                                                    of all the various military services.

 Then began the competitors from all over the state and country for that matter.  The bull riders, with
                                           the clowns doing their daring job to keep the riders safe.

             They were followed by the bucking broncos, the calf roping, and many more events.

As a complete change of entertainment, the next night we attended one of the summer concert events
                        held at the I-Bar Ranch just outside of town.  Great music, at a good price.

             And the open air atmosphere afforded a beautiful view of the setting sun.

OUR BUSY 1st WEEK

We settled in rather quickly, enjoying the peace and quiet of our new temporary home in Gunnison.

Our son was anxious to take his father down the Gunnison river on his raft, a trip I had done in the early spring before we left for New Jersey.  However now the river was flowing faster and the                                shoreline was green from all of the rain. It was beautiful.

As I awaited their arrival at the end of the trip this little chipmonk attracted my attention.

                                  It wasn't long before the voyagers arrived safe and sound.

Later in the week we drove west to Montrose to sell some antiques to dealers there. Passing the Blue Mesa Reservoir, the water level was higher then we had seen in in 15 years.  When we left Colorado in April everyone was concerned about the water table after 2 years of minimal snow pack for our part of Colorado, but Mother Nature certainly took care of that problem with spring rain fall.

                   The trees that were normally high up the banks were partly in the water.

                                        The sky was blue and the reservoir was full and healthy.     
                            .     

                                    I have never seen the countryside as green as it is this year!!

FOR THE BIRDS

One of the things I have most enjoyed in this new temporary home has been the birds.  Having lived in the Mountains of Crested Butte for 20 years, feeding the birds, especially the hummingbirds could be dangerous because of attracting bears in the summer.  This is not a problem 35 miles south in the
"lower lands"s so we have many bird feeders that have attracted a wide variety subjects for my camera.

 My favorite, I think is the Bullock's Oriole (not seen for a week).  The male has adeep orange chest  and yellow underbelly, and a blackstripe through his eye and under his chin.

This one was especially handsome

 The female has a grey head and white underbelly,  As you can see by her choice of perch they both like the sugar water food of the hummingbirds.

                        It wasn't long before the babies arrived and found their way to our porch.

The house finch tried their best to drink out of the hummingbird feeder too but with no succes.

                                     So a baby flew up to see what Dad was trying to do.                                               

Red-winged Blackbirds were always there by the score - but for a while this strange looking bird hung around in the Aspen tree feeding from the feeded.  He is a Black-Headed Grosbeak and was      smart enough to not try to compete with the hummingbirds.

        These are a few of the birds we have seen here this summer - Male Rufous Hummingbird.

                                                    Adult Male Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

                                                        Male Calliope Hummingbird

                                                  Male Broad Tailed Hummingbird

Though it seem like these birds expend an enormous amount on energy chasing each other away from the feeders, occasionally they do call a truce and settle down to share.