And the Winners Are???

The Catamount Wildland Fire Team (Preston's team) won the fire fighter's division of the Emma Crawford Coffin Race this Saturday.  They also had the fastest time of the day out of all the teams in all divisions in the race.  There were literally thousands of spectators lining the main drag in Manitou to watch the race.  Congratulations to the Catamount team, all their training and hard work paid off.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Every Day is a Lesson

A child's mind is a blank canvas, an empty memory card just waiting to be filled with knowledge, experience, and memories.  Each day is a lesson that helps build the person they will become.  I am not sure what lesson was being taught here...but I am sure it was a valuable one.

Fresh Snow and Frozen Hands

If you didn't make it out on Thursday morning to see the fresh snow, here are a few shots to look at.  It was just 18° when I started and my hands keep freezing to the metal legs on the tripod.  I don’t like gloves when I am trying to work the camera.  Fun stuff!

Unforgettable Sound

It's a sound you will never forget or mistake for anything else.  I have heard it, up close and personal, too many times over the past few years.  So far luck and quick reflexes have been on my side.

Yuck

I think I swallowed a fly!

Ancient Ways with a Modern Twist

An Indian that I shoot archery with named “Bear Running” once told me “if you hunt a wild beast with a stick and a string you will be walking with the ancients".  I have to admit, it does have a spiritual feel at times.

Even a quiet morning at the range makes you feel good when the sticks are flying true to the mark.

"Bear Running" shoots in a much more tradtional style, but his shots rarely miss.

Live Above the Clouds

Sometimes when life is cloudy, gray and uninteresting all you need to do is climb above it all to find a bright new morning.

The Aromas of Home

A cool autumn day, the sun passing low across the sky as a quiet afternoon slips toward dusk, and the aroma of a pie finishing in the oven.  It's a beautiful evening...

The little purple guy poking his head through the top crust is a "pie bird".  His ceramic body is under the top, and he is there to let the steam escape as the pie bakes.

Dressed in Hunter Orange

Pyracantha berries.  How appropriate that they show up in the fall dressed in hunter orange.

You Can Never Have too Much Gold

More golden Aspens to see.  When winter winds move in, such wonderful scenes will disappear until next year.

Pikes Peak in the Fall

People travel from all over the world to see Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods.  We are so lucky that it is right in our back yard. 

Fighting for Fish

This is actually a photo that I took in Alaska but I have not been unable to take any photos for the past few days so I thought I'd post an older shot.  Better than not posting at all I figure.
These two wild Grizzlies were fighting for fishing rights in this spot which was full of Sockeye salmon.  They were just a few feet from us and it was quite a spectacle.

Night Visitor

Birdseed thief

Teepee get away

If you have never slept in a teepee you should try it.  It is fun.

Extra Set of Eyes

When sitting in a camouflaged blind archery hunting it's always good to have an extra set of eyes to help watch for approaching game.

 

First Fall Snow

A fresh blanket of snow, the first for the year.  Golden Aspens trying courageously to retain their last bit of glory before winter's frigid grasp takes charge. A warm fire crackling in the stove, and a hot cup of coco with just a splash of butterscotch schnapps added for fun.  It all made for a wonderful weekend.  We actually got snowed in for an extra day which made it even better.
 

Aspens at their best

Nice trees in nice colors

A Big One

There is no trick photography here.  This fish is truly that big, and it's a trout from Colorado.  That's Kanyon, Preston's dog lying beside it.  Preston took the photo with his cell phone and I thought it was worth sharing.

Trees of a different color

Many of the Aspens this year are displaying more crimson than in previous years.  I don't understand the scientific reason for this phenomenon, but it is marvelous to behold.

Prospecting for Gold

Gold comes in many forms so when prospecting for something precious...don't miss any of the nuggets that are out there.

Stormy Beauty

When storm clouds build...stop...step back, and enjoy the beauty.

Trying to go fishing

When you are having a bad day, just remember...it could be worse.  This poor soul was going fishing but he forgot just one thing, his boat trailer tire.  From the looks of the drag mark in the pavement he pulled it a long way before he realized his tire was gone.