Early morning, the second day of travel on our June trip in 2007. The cattle in the field next to the campground woke us early – before anyone else was up – but later than we had expected to rise. We were both eager to get the day started and got ourselves together and then out to walk the dogs. I grabbed the camera as I had seen this path through the cottonwoods the night before, a two track road they used to haul in hay to the cattle, that took you down to and along side the river.  The air was heavy with moisture, the fog that kept us asleep longer was lifting. So calm and peaceful, the morning walk with the dogs both relaxed and invigorated us. This photo captures that for me, and with a texture or two added, brings back the feel of that morning.

Head here if you’re interested in licensing this photo.

This photo linked to Friday Phenology.

Her color palette consists of daisies, petunias and cascading lobelia and other works of nature guided by human hands. The flowers grow at a high altitude, maybe closer to the sun gives them their vibrancy. Bring those flowers down in altitude and they explode with growth. She is an artist and I happily plunk down good money to have one or more of her creations grace my house during the summer months – as do so many of the businesses over the hill in Breckenridge.  Quality is worth the money. The greenhouse in Alma – can’t wait to see what magic she creates this year.

Tracks like this sit silently full of a rich story

that was told once and likely to never be told again.

Location: In the area where you wait for Riverside Geyser to erupt.

Finding photo gems hidden among past travels to Yellowstone is almost as good as heading there again.

Almost.

I’m itching to get back there.

I paused for a moment to watch the snow showers

waltzing with the wind across the mountains.

“Brought to you by Geology.”

                                                    ~ D. Foley

South Park was the color of pronghorns (aka antelope)

And the sky was just

luscious.

This is my current favorite photo because it completely takes me back to that moment…

We’re in some of the last really warm days in Yellowstone at the end of September. The breezes that come are slight and welcome. It’s so quiet midday here in the fall. You can almost hear the earth around you soaking in that last warmth – knowing snows aren’t far away.

What you can’t see in this view is Mike fly fishing while standing mid-calf in the water where the Madison and Firehole meet across from Madison Campground where we’re staying this week.  A place where thousands, if not millions have stood before. I love wandering the bank while he fishes. I feel the same joy I feel when we hunt together – being quiet together and just connecting with nature – and each other on a deep level. Husband and Wife – with nothing between us but God. Right Relationship.

Across the river a large bull elk is lying in the shade – no competition for this boy, so he naps this afternoon and will bugle again tonight as he has each night. The cow elk are no where to be seen, but just the night before, they joined us (and pushed us farther away) so they could come and stand belly deep in the cool water. We keep our eyes out, though, because they can quietly walk up on you, and during the rut, it’s good to know where everyone is.

The backlit grass catches my eye and I work quite a few shots to try and capture what I see…and the deep contented gratitude I feel for this place, this moment, this life I lead.

I LOVED working on these photos – both while taking them and also in processing them – and found myself smiling right along with them. See if you find the same thing watching the slideshow of the simply joy of sliding down a hill.

Beaver Meadows Tubing Photos 10-11 Dec 2011 – Images by Janet White