Aspen grove, against grey clouds on Highway 17, at the Cumbres Pass, Colorado. Four hours drive away from yesterday’s photo of the day, just over the state line in Colorado, the colors are doing their thing precisely on time. I’ve photographed this scene many times over the last few years. It continues to be a favorite location each Autumn when the aspens light up the hills in the Rocky Mountains. Interesting fact, aspens grow from one root system. They are the largest living organism on the planet. Thanks for looking. G
Highway 17
La Manga Creek, Colorado
La Manga Creek, Highway 17, Colorado. Stopped at this spot two times this week on photo tours. Wasn’t sure I liked the dead trees on the left at first. I consider myself an environmental, as well as a landscape photographer and as such this scene depicts this location quite well. The forest in transition not only between seasons, but stages of growth and decay! Thanks for looking. G
Cumbres And Toltec Steam Locomotive
Cumbres and Toltec steam locomotive, seconds before pulling out of the Antonito Depot in Colorado and heading to Chama with a full load of steam locomotive enthusiasts and tourists. I always love watching the engine build up steam and hearing the pulsating, throbbing sounds, whistles and bells. The people aboard wave and call out “hi!” and “bye!” as the train pulls out of the station and heads to the mountains and the Cumbres and Toltec Gorge. We take a more direct route on a photo tour to Chama NM. What a start to a day on the road in the aspens and mountain light. Thanks for looking. G
Tree Grove Sky, Cumbres Pass, Colorado
Tree grove and sky, Cumbres Pass, Highway 17, Colorado. Looking up, way up to find this charming little scene on a photo tour last week. A sun roof helps in spotting locations. Here’s another shot from last fall. Thanks for looking. G
Highway 17, Aspens Turning In Colorado
Highway 17, aspens turning in Colorado. Took a drive today over the Cumbres Pass on Highway 17 to check out the aspen colors. We found many groves turning to shades of yellow, gold and red. There are still many green groves, and then there are many groves that, in the words of the band the Eagles, are “already gone”! Thanks for looking, and if you are in New Mexico, get out there over the next week for some prime colors. G
Stand Of Aspens Cumbres Pass
The Stand of aspens on the slopes of the Cumbres Pass on the Colorado New Mexico border. At first thought they appear almost afraid to stand alone, gathered in a huddled like posture, creating the feeling of strength in numbers. A subsequent thought occurred to me; what a ‘content’ little grouping of trees! Cheers. G