High Country Blog

Centennial Haunt

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:31:31 -0600

I was honored to have my image, “Centennial Haunt”, selected as Theme Photo-of-the-day at Shutterbug.biz.

This is the Stanley Hotel Lobby in Estes Park, Colorado. It was the inspiration for Stephen King, as he wrote the script for the movie, "The Shining", starring Jack Nicholson. The Hotel is 100 years old this year. It is rumored to be haunted and the "Ghost Hunters", of television fame have visited here to film their show. 4 second exposure. Canon 5D: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: f/22, ISO 100, A volunteer young tourist was willing to be my "apparition".

Winter of the Equilibrium

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:25:20 -0600

This image was recognized as photo-of-the-day at Shutterbugs.biz on March 22, 2009 in the Animal category, titled, "Winter of the Equilibrium".

Coyote carrying back legs and haunches of a mule deer. Most likely, the deer was killed by a mountain lion. The coyote is simply doing his scavenger thing. Coyotes, even in a pack, rarely bring down a healthy deer or elk. Mountain lions are night stalkers and are the primary predators of the mule deer herd. Mule deer populations are large, so nature attempts to balance via the food chain interactions.

Canon 5D: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO, f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/1600s.

Coyote Contempt

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:22:46 -0600

I was honored to have my coyote image "Contempt" selected as photo-of-the-day at DigitalImageCafe.com for March 21, 2009.

This is a coyote in search of a meal in Moraine Park, RMNP. He is showing anger/contempt, as demonstrated by the laid back ears, the raised hairs on the back of the neck, the dipped head and the glaring eyes. Canon 5D: Canon EF 400mm. f/5.6L USM: f/5.6, 1/2500s, ISO 400.

The image as captured on March 14, 2009. This was before the rodents emerged from hibernation. Since then, many Wyoming ground squirrels (food source) have become active.

Bluebird in Flight

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 09:12:33 -0600

The Mountain Bluebirds return to the high elevation glacial valleys during the second week in March... every year. The photo is a male Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides. It's wonderful to see many mated pairs in Moraine Park of Rocky Mountain National Park. These very desirable birds can be found most often at the border between the valley open spaces and the Ponderosa Pine forest. The vibrant blue color of the male's plumage is at its peak breeding season glory. The blue feathers are most vibrant when reflecting direct sunlight. I was honored with photo-of-the-day in the Animal category at DigitalImageCafe.com.

The Challenge

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:14:56 -0600

I am honored to have my bighorn ram image "The Challenge" selected as photo-of-the-month in the Animal category at DigitalImageCafe.com The bighorn ram was one of the top rams in a flock of 35 sheep on MacGregor Mountain on December 18, 2008. Rocky Mountain National Park has about 250 bighorn sheep, which is down from 400 sheep 20 years ago. The habitat has been crowded due to the 4000 elk and many hundreds of mule deer. Efforts have been made by the park service to protect the lambing areas near The Crater on Specimen Mountain. Those areas and trails are closed to humans between May and August 15.

The bighorn sheep are susceptible to a lungworm parasite which causes respiratory problems. And, excessive noise really bothers the sheep, especially the roar of motorcycle engines and diesel engine pickups.

The sheep are my favorite mammals in RMNP and I hope they stabilize and grow their numbers.