Mountains around Lenado

Pine woods above Lenado, CO.

Fall colors starting to show on the ground foliage.

On the road back to Lenado from the peaks we explored on Saturday.

Colorful waters of Maroon Lake

Icy cold water grows

the brightest green algae

I have ever seen.

Much of the surrounding

sand and rocks are actually

maroon colored, like the

Maroon Bells.

Something to do with

iron oxide...

None of these photos

have been retouched

or edited.

These are the real colors of Color-ado.

Maroon Bells, CO

Hiking around the Maroon Bells, outside of Aspen, CO.

Nurturing

Young pigeon Lawrence is recuperating here from a magpie row. Cris Ledwell, my kind host here, rescued the fledgling this week. The rewards of caring for a helpless animal are manyfold. We started feeding him from our fingers, and now he(?) has graduated to spoon feeding.

Aspen Discoveries

I am discovering the softer aspects of this magical place.

Laying on the soft grass next to a cold stream

My stainless water jug resting in the flow

Not a single bug in sight - now I know:

The ants have all retired to Florida!

Hiking in the Grottos was brilliant

Sparkling water through rock formations and driftwood

Then we watched folks jump into the Punchbowl.

A chilling experience to witness

But the rocks were so warm and comforting

AspenAugust09

Day one of my mountain vacation:

I am once again in awe of the feeling of being nestled in

By Earth, Rock, Trees and Water.

Babbling brooks, dancing Aspen leaves

Squirrel scampering up a tall pine

with a fat mushroom in his mouth

Cool breeze on my sun-warmed arms

Surrounded by so much vertical beauty

Did I just leave a flat-land?

Did it feel like 101 a few days and a few thousand miles ago?

Oops, there goes a little yellow butterfly

Must go now ~ Mother nature beckons again