Desert Tranquility

Gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Taken July 2019.

Serenity

Lonely gypsum sand dune at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. White Sands (formerly known as National Monument) was given its National Park status in December 2019. Located in the Southern New Mexico, parks main attraction is the earths largest gypsum dune field. Unlike “normal” sand, dunes in White Sands are almost pure gypsum. Because of this, dunes appear white like snow. Also, unlike “normal” sand, gypsum doesn’t absorb heat from the sun. Even with mid-summer daily highs close to 40 degrees Centigrade the dunes are cool and comfortable. Taken July 2019.

Independence Monument at Golden Hour

Colorado National Monument is an area of spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone near Grand Junction, Colorado. Located on Great Bain Desert, rugged terrain consists of pinion and juniper forests. The main feature, Monument Canyon, runs through the entire National Monument and consists of multiple rock formations created by erosion. These rock formations include e.g. Independence Monument, which rises 150 metres above the canyon floor. There are various stories of how this rock formation earned its name. According to one of these, John Otto, first explorer and caretaker of the area, climbed on top of the monument on July 4, 1911 and placed United States flag on top. In recent years, Grand Junction area climbers have picked up Otto's tradition, and plant flag on top of the Monument each Independence Day. Even today Independence Monument is one of the most popular climbing rocks in the Colorado. Picture of Independence Monument , taken from Ottos Trail September 2016.

Autumn Colors at Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains National Park stands on top of the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. With sixty mountain peaks over 3600 metres and highest point, Longes Peak reaching 4346 metres, National Park provides lots of scenic vistas. Visitor can also run into black bear, bighorn sheep or elk, especially during fall when visitors often flock to the park to witness the elk rut. Taken September 2016.

Earth from 1000 feet above

Good morning Tetons! This image is handheld from hot air balloon approx 1000 feet above the ground. While in Jackson, Wyoming, we booked a hot air balloon flight. Luckily we booked the first available morning we had - we weren't able to go 'till on the 3rd morning due to bad weather conditions. First morning - foggy. Second morning - too much wind. 3rd morning - just perfect! Skies were clear, temperature was not too cold (who am I kidding, it was freezing!) and we had fun times. Only participants who didn't have so much fun were cattle who were terrified seeing us land nearby ... Taken July 2013.

Sunrise at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located less than 100 km southeast of Seatlle, Washington. It has a summit elevation of 4392m and it is also considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. While visiting the national park, we stayed at the Paradise Inn for one night. We woke up early and rushed down few kilometers to the Reflection Lakes area. Luckily we did. Morning was cold (less than 5 degress Celsius) but sunrise was magnificent! Taken July 2013.

Train Kept A-Rollin'

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates 45.5 miles (73.2 km) of 3 ft track between Durango and Silverton, in the US state of Colorado. The railway is a federally designated National Historic Landmark and is also designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. One way scheduled trains take 3½ hours to run the 45 miles (72 km) each way, with a 2¼ hour layover in Silverton. Were sitting at Cisco Animas car at the end of the train. What great fun it was! We didn't get too much ashes to our eyes and we got few beautiful shots of the entire train, like this one! Taken July 2012.

... And Then Mountains Turned Golden

Half dome viewed from Glacier Point minutes before sunset. Nevada Fall, a 181 meter high waterfall can be seen at the lower right corner of the image. This mid-fall impact of the water on the cliff face creates a turbulent, whitewater appearance in the falls and produces a great deal of mist which covers a wide radius, which led to its current name (Nevada is an old Spanish word meaning "snowy"). Half Dome seen on the left side of the image is maybe the most famous rock formation in the entire Yosemite National park. This granite dome rises over 1440 meters above the valley floor. Even though the view from the valley (and also from the Glacier Point) suggests that Half Dome has been a round dome that has lost it's half is an illusion. From Washburn Point, Half Dome which can be seen as a thin ridge of rock oriented northeast-southwest, with its southeast side almost as steep as its northwest side except for the very top.

Desert Sunset

Gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Taken July 2019.

Sunset at White Sands

Gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. Taken July 2019.

Guadalupe Sunset

The Guadalupe Mountains (Sierra de Guadalupe) are a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Pea (2667 m), and the "signature peak" of West Texas, El Capitan, both of which are located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This picture of the mountain range is taken from the Salt Basin Gypsum Sand Dunes. This small area is located far a way from the main areas of the National Park and area sees very few visitors. Being on the west side of the Guadalupe Range allows one to capture mountains glowing in the red and yellow hues. Taken July 2019.

Golden Reef

The Guadalupe Mountains (Sierra de Guadalupe) are a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Pea (2667 m), and the "signature peak" of West Texas, El Capitan, both of which are located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This picture of the mountain range is taken from the Salt Basin Gypsum Sand Dunes. This small area is located far a way from the main areas of the National Park and area sees very few visitors. Being on the west side of the Guadalupe Range allows one to capture mountains glowing in the red and yellow hues. Taken July 2019.