October 10, 2003

Wasatch Mountains

Rain/Snowbow

Early Fall snow/rain storm settling over the Wasatch Mountains. Just before sundown, the sun peeked through and created this brilliant rainbow for just a few moments, before the clouds and darkness settled in. The tops of the mountains were white by morning, but the lower slopes are still swathed in the fall foliage. Orem, Utah County, Utah, USA, October 10, 2003. f/4.7, 1/90 second, ISO 140.

September 21, 2003

Strawberry Valley

Fall Quakies

On most "normal" (OK, I know there is no such thing) years, the quaking aspen turn a uniform yellow color before losing all their leaves for the winter. This year was different. The shades of gold and yellow were exquisite. I have watched every year since and still have not seen anything like it. Strawberry Valley, Wasatch County, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah, USA, September 21, 2003. f/8, 1/350 second, ISO 100.

August 12, 2003

Mesa Verde

Cliff Palace

Mesa Verde is one of those places our family loves to visit. We always couple it with a visit to the San Luis Valley, where my wife was born, so it has even more significance. Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 12, 2003. f/4.5, 1/90 second, ISO 100.

August 11, 2003

Mesa Verde

Balcony House

As we were starting down the path from the mesa top, a thunderstorm hit. We were mostly able to stay out of the rain and avoid getting soaked by hugging the wall of the canyon. Just as we got to the gathering place before going into the Balcony House, a sudden roar was heard and a rush of water came cascading down! It was awesome to watch and see what it would have been like to live there during a summer afternoon storm. All the inhabitants would have been rushing to fill all possible water containers. Balcony House, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 11, 2003. f/8, 1/60 second, ISO 100.

House of Many Windows

I didn't realize this one had a name when I took the photo. It makes one wonder why they were willing to trade such huge physical risk of falling for the relative security of the alcoves. It must have been an interesting time! House of Many Windows, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 11, 2003. f/8, 1/350 second, ISO 100.

Square Tower House

One of our family's favorite vacation spots. Lots of wildlife to watch and photograph, Interesting things to discover and see, antiquities with no real known history - it is fascinating to hear the various spins put on the "story" of these ancient ruins by different Park Service employees over the years. We have some of our own as well. . . . Square Tower House, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 11, 2003. f/8, 1/60 second, ISO 100.

Late Afternoon Storm

Double rainbow from a late afternoon thunderstorm sweeping across Wetherill Mesa. Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 11, 2003. f/5.6, 1/125 second, ISO 100.

August 10, 2003

Mesa Verde

Spruce Tree House

More so than most, this dwelling seems to be placed for protection from the elements. Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 10, 2003. f/8, 1/30 second, ISO 100.

Petroglyph Panel

Wouldn't you just love to know what it all means? Was there a message intended? Is it a community message board? Or, is it just graffiti? Petroglyph Panel, Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, USA, August 10, 2003. f/8, 1/90 second, ISO 100.