Saying goodbye to 2008

Goodbye to 2008. A year that has had a lot of stuff happen all over the place.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy celebration tonight.

The last sunset for 2008 and it was a nice one. This was taken after getting back from Bighorn Sheep hunting (for photo's) which was a total bust. But atleast I got out of he house and get some time behind the camera.

Well time will tell how 2008 will be remembered and how 2009 will be. Have to take it one day at a time.

Till later....

Hey Young Bullwinkle

Nikon D2x Sigma 70-300mm Ridata Pro 150x

Mother moose and calf was taken over on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter of 2007-2008 along Trail Ridge Road (TRR). In the winter, TRR is partially open on both sides of the park, but you cannot travel the center section due to the snow and very high winds that are experienced there. They were in the parking lot of a picnic area licking the road salts that had been left there by parked cars. In fact, they licked the truck that was parked in front of me and my truck also. They loved the wheel wells and bumpers the most.

Christmas Present Comes Early

I have been looking for a Wacom Tablet for the longest and have been trying to decide what would be the right size for me to buy when considering I will be using it with a laptop and a desktop machine. I decided on getting a 6x8 tablet with mouse. Don't think I will be using the mouse much since I already have a mouse I like and I am used to using. This along with a bag from eBags to carry it in, unless it fits my laptop backpack easily.

You say what is a Wacom Tablet used for. It is used mainly in the graphic arts field in drawing, painting, and working with digital photography in Photoshop and other photo imaging software like Capture NX2. Allows you to more natually paint, point, and anything involved with graphic manipulation.

Have to love Amazon though, which is where I got mine through. It will be here on Wed. and it will be put to use that afternoon and night making Christmas presents.

Image Copyright Amazon.com

Snow and Deer

Nikon D2X Sigma 70-300mm Ridata 150x

Taken along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park after a snowstorm. She is looking back at some other people that were trying to get some pictures of her or other deer in the herd. Glad she posed for me like this. This is fitting for today since it is currently 6 deg outside and snow on the ground from a snowstorm passing thru early this morning with more in the forecast. It is looking more like a white Christmas.

Just An Old Tree

Nikon D2x Sigma 24-60 Ridata 150x

This was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on the western side of the divide. I was just walking around in the meadow and saw a bunch of these old weather tree trucks that were on the ground and started shooting them from various angles.

Till later..

Now Honey, Lets Discuss This

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, Ridata 150x

It looks like one of these two geese is getting an earful from the other. Since they mate for life, it makes since. Actually they are talking about taking flight. They start honking if they feel under stress or like they are going to be attacked. Shortly after this photo, they did take flight and that is quite a sight in itself.

Maroon Bells

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60 Ridata 150x

Taken from Maroon Lake one August morning, one of the most photographed places in Colorado. If you look at calendars for Colorado, it can almost be guaranteed to have a photo of the "Bells" in there in some form or fashion. I post processed this in Lightroom 2.1 using a special preset.

Ole Time Cabins

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, Ridata 150x Pro

This fall while up in the mountains in Gunnison County along Ohio Pass Road saw these old cabins along the road with the aspens turing in the background. Lots of old stuff in the front of the building also.

Squirreling Away

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60mm Ridata 150x Pro

Here we find a furry little guy stocking away for the upcoming cold winter. Today those nuts and everything stowed away is going to come in handy since we now have several inches of snow on the ground, temps are very cold and I am sure he is in his nice cozy den dreaming nice squirrel dreams.

A Little Bit of Christmas Color - Denver Style

Nikon D2x, Sigma 24-60mm Ridata 150x PRO CF

This is part of the light display from the Denver City and County Building in downtown Denver, CO. Every year, this building, Union Station, and various other parts of the downtown are lit up in lights. This was taken last year on a very cold night. Hopefully I will be able to go down and get more shots with the Tokina 12-24 and get some really wide shots of the building and the lights.

Till later....

Jack Frost Visited after Thanksgiving

Nikon D2x, 70-300mm VR, PNY Pro CF media

After getting off work Saturday morning going up the highway I was looking at all the snow on the naked cottonwood trees and noticed this set of trees with the silo and farmhouse in the background. So I rushed home and grabbed my gear and came back knowing that the snow was not going to be melting anytime soon and grabbed this shot along with a few others.

George Washington at Mt Rushmore

Nikon D2x, Sigma 150-500mm Ridata 150x CF

Visited Mt Rushmore for the first time about a month ago and was really inspired by the majesty of the monument of four US Presidents. This is a shot that can only be obtained from the road that accesses Mt Rushmore. There is a parking area on the side of the road as you are heading back from the main area of Mt Rushmore. When the monument is lit, it is just something to see. I am very glad I took the opportunity to go see this monument.