Spring Blooms

I noticed these flowers taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather we have been enjoying here. I don't think these flowers would be blossoming during this time in a normal year.

The Cowboy

Fishing Bird

I'm not sure what type of bird this is, and I don't actually know if it's fishing or bug catching. I saw a few of them flitting about the river, swooping mere inches above the surface. They were so quick, the only way I could get this shot was by using a long zoom from pretty far off.

Phone Box

Found by the train station.

Oops!

There has been a lot of work going on down at the Santa Rita Whitewater Park. They have been moving rocks and anchoring them to stabilize the water features for the people who play here. I took this picture but I didn't see what was going on in it until I got home. Looks like someone is gonna has some explaining to do! Those excavators aren't cheap!

Castle Rock

Castle Rock is a huge section of cliff 800 feet above highway level north of Durango on Hwy 550, near Durango Mountain Resort. It is quite an impressive landform that can be seen for miles. There's a nice hiking trail to its summit which offers an excellent view of the Twilight Peaks of the Needle Range and Mt. Eolus, a nearby Fourteener.

Durango Silverton

State of the Animas

This is what the Animas looks like currently. According to USGS data, it is at 190 cubic feet/second. That's pretty low, as you can see.

On the backs of fish

If you go to the Fish Hatchery, this is what you will see. Fish packed in runs so thick, you could walk on their backs to cross to the other side. Not really, but it's fun imagining doing that. I think the type of fish seen here is the Colorado River Cutthroat, a native (and threatened) fish of Colorado.

This is what the runs look like.

Gone Fishin'

People have been taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather by doing things they would not be typically doing in February.

Happy President's Day!

Magic Light

I took this photo in the Valley during a magical time of light. The sun was gently caressing the valley walls and kissing the clouds. I love times like these!

Engineer Mountain

Winter Florida

Snow and ice cover stretches of the Florida River. I took this photo on a stretch of the river above the Lemon Reservoir.

530

Pool of Color

Last nights sunset reflected in a pool of water in my driveway.

Finally getting much needed moisture

It's finally snowing again after nearly no snow during the entire month of January. It will have to snow consistently for a good while if we are going to catch up with our average snowpack in the mountains.

General Palmer Clock

Neon

The old sign for the Rochester catches my eye every time I walk past it

County Road 250

A beautiful view I noticed as I was leaving a job site the other day. This was on CR 250 just south of Trimble Crossing.

Sun Snow

It is one of my favorite things when the sun is shining and snow is falling. It seems so magical!

Elk in the Valley

Evening Glow

Snowdown Light Parade

Snowdown is an annual, week long celebration here in Durango. It has been going on since 1979, when the people of Durango decided they needed something to bring a little cheer to the dark and cold times of winter. There are many schedule events and a local favorite is the Light Parade. People dress in costume according to the Snowdown Theme (chosen by vote, this year's was 'Safari So Good') and line Main Avenue to watch floats and participants bedecked with lights and zany costumes. It's always great fun and I recommend anyone to come and see it for themselves.