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More Fun With Fences

12Nov22

If you’ve been following this blog you already know that I love to include the rustic fences I find while photographing the landscape. This post includes new compositions found this fall and two that were pre-visualized and finally actualized. These two are at the end of the post, utilizing a fence that grabbed my attention several years ago. I was drawn to the way it was situated high on a hill, with only the sky behind it. I drove by it many times and with its wide, uninterrupted line, I would pre-visualize a capture with the right sky. I knew I only had to be there on the right day and at the right time … and that finally happened this fall. I was able to create these two rather minimalistic images, exactly as I had imagined them.

A broken down fence add interest to this near and far autumn scene.

‘Fence & Fall Line’ © Denise Bush
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A rail fence has completely collapsed and been left in disrepair.

‘Fallen Fence’ © Denise Bush

Less seen orange and red aspens make a beautiful statement, bordered with a rail fence.

‘Fenced Aspens’ © Denise Bush

A rustic ranch gates acts as an appropriate mountain frame in this Colorado, San Juan Mountains scene.

‘Mountain Ranch View’ © Denise Bush

An oldstyle fence passes through some aspens whose leaves have started to fall.

‘Just Passing Through’ © Denise Bush

An oldstyle fence stays true to Colorado's long ranching tradition.

‘Rustic Fence & Autumn Aspens’ © Denise Bush

A wooden rail fence makes an interesting silhouette as it curves towrad a colorful sunrise.

‘Sunrise Curve’ © Denise Bush

A fence set against a sunset sky creates a minimalistic landscape.

‘Fence Silhouette At Sundown’ © Denise Bush

The sunsets with vibrant orange just on tyhe other side of a barbed wire fence.

‘Across The Border’ © Denise Bush

Do you like fences in the landscape too? Here are some other posts with the same theme:

https://denisebushphoto.wordpress.com/2022/09/01/fun-with-fences/

https://denisebushphoto.wordpress.com/2020/05/31/creative-identity-boundaries/

https://denisebushphoto.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/fall-along-fence-lines/

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Filed under: autumn, Landscape Photography   |  42 Comments
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Autumn In The Mountains

23Oct22

I haven’t posted many autumn landscapes featuring mountains yet, but that isn’t because I didn’t shoot them! I’m actually a bit overwhelmed (and pleased) by how much I have to go through! As usual the mountain peaks started out bare, and during the first part of October received some snow … a little dusting at first, and then more a few days later. The snow has managed to hang around on several of the peaks but evaporate on others. The coating depends on how high the peaks are and what face you are looking at. North faces tend to hold onto the snow a little longer. As I write this, snow is in the weather forecast. The mountains will start accumulating more and more, but sadly without the aspen accents. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite autumn, mountain images … with still more to go through. Editing is a time consuming task for me. I have to process selected images to decide if they are something I want to use. Sometimes they go into the ‘not using’ folder and the rest end up here! Hope you enjoy my ‘autumn in the mountains’!

Storm clouds roll in to produce dramatic lighting on thes San Jauan Mountains, Colorado scene.

‘Autumn Drama’ © Denise Bush
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This San Juan Mountain scene has both the colorful foliage and a snowcapped peak, creating a postcard perfect landscape.

‘Postcard Perfection’ © Denise Bush

A look down adds perspective to this unique San Jaun Mountains, Colorado scene.

‘Bottom Of The Hill’ © Denise Bush

It's that time of day ... when the evening shadows start to creep in at lower elevations, while the mountains still shine.

‘Shadow & Light Landscape’ © Denise Bush

A dusting of snow arrives in time to accompany the colorful autumn foliage.

‘A Little Autumn Snow’ © Denise Bush

A mix of sun and clouds creates a spotlight effect on an autumn, aspen ridge.

‘Autumn Light Play’ © Denise Bush

From near to far, the mountains are especially beautiful in autumn.

‘A Perfect Afternoon’ © Denise Bush

The deep golden color of this aspen tree really stands out against a foggy backdrop!

‘Highlights In The Fog’ © Denise Bush

Interesting clouds grace this autumn scene featuring Sunshine Mountain near Telluride!

‘Sunshine On Sunshine Mountain’ © Denise Bush

Autumn aspens adorn the foreground of this San Juan Mountain, Colorado scene.

‘Autumn Aspens & Sunset’ © Denise Bush

The peak of Mount Sneffels is above the clouds here to the left of the frame.

‘Sneffels Under Cover’ © Denise Bush

Some final sunlight filters through the clouds to create a brilliant, last light over autumn aspens.

‘Last Light Mountain Time’ © Denise Bush
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This is my third 2022 autumn post and there’s more to come. If you missed ‘Finding Fall’ or ‘Finding More Fall’. Click on Denise Bush’s Photo Blog at the top and scroll down through the most recent posts! Thanks very much for visiting!

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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  55 Comments
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Finding More Fall

15Oct22

I’m continuing to ‘find more fall’ and this post is another mix of autumn images. Beauty abounds and the area is busy with photographers from parts near and far, working to capture a piece of that beauty. I can relate to all those photographers as I too was once someone who would often travel for more scenic opportunities. Yes … I am very grateful to live where I can enjoy such wonderful scenery. It still takes work and I do consider it my job … one where I can happily put my skills (and determination) to work! Among the expansive landscape I enjoy finding smaller, intimate scenes like some I’ve posted here. I look to find aspen groupings that have an arrangement I can isolate and frame to create a pleasing composition. A walk to a less populated side of a lake provided opportunities to explore interesting reflections, instead of the overall view most come to capture and take home. I am always looking for subjects and compositions within the landscape that call out to me, and autumn is a time when that happens often!

Young aspen foliage sparkles in the late day side-light.

‘Sparkling Aspens’ © Denise Bush
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Aspen trees illuminate as the sun kisses the ridge goodnight in the distance.

‘Colorful Aspen Family’ © Denise Bush

Young aspens in gold acompany red and green in this found arrangement.

‘Cliffside Arrangement’ © Denise Bush

The contrast of twhite and black aspen trunks against autumn gold is a striking combination.

‘Aspen Trunks In Autumn Forest’ © Denise Bush

Tall aspens are daring so close to the edge of a cliff.

‘Aspens On Edge’ © Denise Bush
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Walking around the back side of this lake offered solitude among the beauty.

‘The Back Side’ © Denise Bush

Colorful aspen trees are reflected in a lake among some marsh grass.

‘Grassy Reflection’ © Denise Bush

An autumn mountain reflection among marsh grass makes a unique seasonal statement.

‘Frosty Grass & Reflection’ © Denise Bush

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Filed under: autumn, Colorado   |  32 Comments
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Finding Fall

06Oct22

My camera and I have been working the autumn colors every chance we get. This year the change began a little late and so far, seems to be progressing somewhat slower than usual. Since I can’t be everywhere at once, I appreciate the staggered display. The area from and including Ouray and Silverton, along the Million Dollar Highway was, and usually is first to present beautiful colors. This is where I concentrated my time, with side trips to see how other areas were coming along. My priority is on shooting since the brilliantly colored foliage can be so fleeting. A recent rainy day allowed me to begin editing and processing some, but as long as nature allows, the rest can wait until the last leaf falls! Here are some of the scenes and subjects that caught my eye early on.

Surrounded by aspen trees, a Colorado Spruce tree is at home, among friends.

‘Among Friends’ © Denise Bush

Young spruce trees are companions tosome colorful autumn aspen trees, in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Opposite Attraction’ © Denise Bush

Aspens high up on rocky cliffs glow in the late day sun.

‘Aspen Waves’ © Denise Bush

A golden glow comes from within the forest. Aspen trees beyond the front trees have started their autumn display.

‘A Glow From Within’ © Denise Bush

A beautiful mountain view is accented with autumn aspens ... and if you look closely you'll see a little shelter below.

‘Little Shelter Below’ © Denise Bush

This seldom used road allowed for a private and peaceful moment among the colorful autumn aspen trees!

‘My Private Road’ © Denise Bush

Aspen trees are most often yellow but somethimes orange and even red be found.

‘Some Of Each’ © Denise Bush
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Filed under: autumn, Landscape Photography   |  55 Comments
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Cimarron Magic

26Sep22

Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are a part of the Rocky Mountains, located in the southwestern portion of the state. Within the San Juan’s there are ranges with their own names such as; the Sneffels Range, the Needle Mountains, the La Garita Mountains, the San Miguel Mountains, and the La Platas, to name a few. The San Juans also include the Cimarron Range, which is the topic of this post. The Cimarrons are distinctly shaped mountains including Chimney Rock, Courthouse Mountain, The Turrets and Coxcomb … all pictured here. In addition to the distinct shapes, the range is unique because it runs from south to north, tapering off along the Cimarron Ridge at the north end. From home its east facing alignment offers brilliant sunrise mornings and evenings filled with alpenglow surprises. Here are a few of those magical moments, captured from our property and other not so distant vantage points.

Rain at sunset creates a splendid sight to the east, over the

‘Cimarron Sunset Rain’ © Denise Bush
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Sunset's alpenglow lights up Courthouse Mountain peeking above some pinion pines on a hill.

‘Courthouse Peak Peeking’ © Denise Bush

The Turrets are a part of the Cimarron Range near Ridgway. Colorado. The Cimarrons are part of the San Juan Mountains and Rocky Mountains.

‘The Turrets At Sunset’ © Denise Bush

Some bright puffy clouds settle along Cimarron Ridge with dark blue clouds drift above.

‘Ridge Silhouette’ © Denise Bush

Looking east to the Cimarron Range of Colorado's San Juan Mountains is often a beautiful sight at sunset.

‘Cimarron Cloud Layers’ © Denise Bush

Beautiful late day light hits Chimney Rock offering a beautiful scene in Ridgway, Colorado.

‘Chimney Lighting’ © Denise Bush

Pretty pink clouds move in above The Turrets of the Cimarron Range in Ridgway, Colorado.

‘Pink Clouds Above The Turrets’ © Denise Bush
notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints available

Colorful foliage is beginning to put on its beautiful autumn show here. That will keep me busy for the next several weeks … shooting, processing and of course, last but not least, posting!

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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  38 Comments
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Fun With Fences

01Sep22

Fences continue to interest me as a subject and often make their way into my photographs. I do have a lot of fun finding and composing with the wooden fences, gates and corrals found in my area. Whether they are the main focus or combine with other elements, I love the interest they can add. The fences here often fit in with my love for photographing the weathered and my collection is steadily growing! The following are some I’ve set aside for this post … all shot this summer, from June through August.

Pretty clouds hover over a field of Mule's Ears in Ridgway, Colorado.

‘Clouds Over Mule’s Ears’ © Denise Bush

In June Mule's Ears grow wild everywhere you look in Colorado!

‘Mule’s Ears & Fence’ © Denise Bush

A view across an open range, of some of Colorado's San Juan Mountains,.

‘Open Range’ © Denise Bush

A fence below Wilson Peak is simply made of available branches and barbed wire.

‘Fence Below Wilson Peak’ © Denise Bush

An old collapsing ranch gate is chained to protect from unwanted intruders.

‘Gated Frame’ © Denise Bush

An old broken down corral reminds us of a romanticized West and times gone by.

‘Collapsed Corral’ © Denise Bush

A meadowlark sits on a post adding a nice addition to this barbed wire fence.

‘Meadowlark On A Post’ © Denise Bush

A barbed wire fence provides an opportunity to create a silhouette against a sunset sky.

‘Barbed Silhouette’ © Denise Bush

Thank you for visiting my blog! When you leave a comment here I will use it to link back to your blog and do the same.

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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  46 Comments
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Some Summertime Scenes

22Aug22

The last few posts were about very specific themes … trees, water, mountains and then wildflowers. These subjects are common in my portfolio. In this set I’ve combined subjects, while considering how the elements come together to provide a sense of place. I want my photographs to portray a feeling of being there. Ideally it’s great when viewers see what I thought was special enough to capture, process and show. After looking at a series of my landscapes, a friend recently wrote, ‘each and every one is like a journey’. That comment made me feel I had met my goal … at least with that friend and set of images!

A little pond offers a pretty reflection as a mountain is illuminated with morning light.

‘Little Pond Reflection’ © Denise Bush

Red Mountain is lit up under a dramatic sky as seen through beautiful spruce trees in summer.

‘A View Through Spruce’ © Denise Bush

Clouds roll in to create a beautifully reflected scene in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Cloudy Reflection’ © Denise Bush

King's Crown and other wildflowers grow on a sunny slope in the mountains of Colorado's San Juans.

‘King’s Crown On A Hill’ © Denise Bush

Fireweed grows in August along the shore of this mountain lake in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Fireweed Along The Shore’ © Denise Bush

Water from the mountain peaks falls down the mountain in a series of cascades and falls, like this one.

‘Lower Basin Falls’ © Denise Bush

Flowers, trees, mountains and puffy clouds ... who could ask for more?

‘Summer Mountain Scene’ © Denise Bush

Beautiful clouds light up at sunrise in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Summer Sunrise’ © Denise Bush
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Filed under: Colorado, Landscape Photography   |  42 Comments
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Where The Wildflowers Grow

04Aug22

Wildflower landscapes are by far the most challenging assignment I give myself each summer! High up in the mountain basins, slopes and gulches, is where you go to find columbine, paintbrush, king’s and queen’s crown and more. Getting to them, finding a good patch with minimal distractions, and that then align with an interesting background, is most of the challenge! Combining the wildflowers and landscapes together helps viewers experience a better sense of place. The daisies in this set are more accessible since they grow a little lower.

Ideally my goal is to get wildflowers prominent in the foreground, and a mountain feature in the background. In order to get everything sharp close and far, I always use a tripod. My Canon 16-35mm is my usual lens of choice for wildflower landscapes. I focus-stack, taking exposures at select focal points (close to far) in the scene. I bring the frames into Photoshop using ‘load files into stack’ and check attempt to align. The files with different focal points come in as layers and I use masks to blend them according to sharpness. Using a tilt-shift lens is another way to get this desired affect. I need to consider the pros and cons of an investment in one as they are quite expensive.

First light light up a peak across a lake while daisies line the shore.

‘Daisy Delight!’ © Denise Bush
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Daisies grow wild near the Red Mountains in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Daisies Below Red Mountains’ © Denise Bush

Sneezeweed makes a bright appearance in summer alpine meadows in Colorado.

‘Sunny Sneezeweed Meadow’ © Denise Bush

Queen's Crown and other wildflowers soak up a morning rain in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘After A Rain’ © Denise Bush

Boulders and wildflowers are the subject of this scene just below a high mountain pass.

‘Three Boulders & Wildflowers’ © Denise Bush

Pink paintbrush takes a staring role in this summer, apline scene.

‘Paintbrush Below Cloudy Ridge’ © Denise Bush

Pink paintbrush create a beautiful scene in the high elevations of Colorado.

‘Pink Paintbrush Paradise’ © Denise Bush

King's Crown is upfront in this summer wildflower scene, shot in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘King’s Crown & A View’ © Denise Bush

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Filed under: Flowers, Landscape Photography   |  66 Comments
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Some Summertime Mountains

26Jul22

No matter what scene or subject I’m out to capture, I’m always open to the many mountain scenes I’m presented with. For this post I’ve grouped some recent compositions where the mountains and peaks play the starring role!

Trees along a road leading to Mount Sneffels shine with morning light and help to set the stage.

‘A Different Road To Sneffels’ © Denise Bush
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The rising sun lights up a distant peak to greet the new day.

‘A New Day’ © Denise Bush

The mountains are far away in this layered landscape.

‘Layered Landscape’ © Denise Bush

The setting sun lights up clouds to the northeast, in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

‘Evening Vista’ © Denise Bush

Red Mountain is aptly named for the high iron and mineral content giving it beautifully colored slopes.

‘Fading Light On Red Mountain’ © Denise Bush

The sun makes its way over the eastern mountains to illuminate the landscape including a portion of the Sneffels Range.

‘Morning Highlights’ © Denise Bush

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A Popular Subject

07Jul22

Someone once told me that ‘water’ was the most photographed subject. When I thought about water in all its forms and features, it was easy to believe. There’s oceans, seas, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks, waterfalls, cascades, fountains, watering holes and even puddles … and then there’s snow and ice too! Regarded as the ‘source of life’, water is interesting symbolically as well. Upon investigating the claim, the internet tells me there are other contenders for ‘most photographed’, so let’s just say water is a ‘popular subject’!

Water subjects have a special allure. My favorite time to photograph beside the water is in the spring and early summer, while it is still flowing from the mountains. Ponds and reservoirs are full before they shrink, sometimes drying up altogether later in summer. I don’t think I’ve concentrated on water subjects as much as some previous spring/early summer seasons, but still have the following to share.

Pretty clouds are twice as nice when reflected in this watering hole on the range.

‘Cloudy Watering Hole’ © Denise Bush
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A beaver dam and lodge illustrate the beaver's master building techniques.

‘Built With Skill’ © Denise Bush

The Uncompahgre River leaves the town of Ouray; and travels north toward Ridgway swiftly in spring.

‘Leaving Ouray’ © Denise Bush

Water rushes down a river in a big hurry to reach its destination.

‘Rushing Over Rocks’ © Denise Bush
(Yes, the rocks are really this orange!)

A summer waterfall branches out taking different paths of vertical descent.

‘Vertical Divergence’ © Denise Bush

A close-up of a spring cascade captures the flowing motion.

‘Flowing Motion’ © Denise Bush

Water rushes downstream through a rocky river in Colorado.

‘Mountain Currents’ © Denise Bush

Spring melt rushes down a mountainside and plunges through a rocky grotto flowing to a river.

‘Waterfall Grotto’ © Denise Bush

A long waterfall plunges from high above the cliff to disappear behind a rocky ledge.

‘Spring Plunge’ © Denise Bush

See more water subjects in my ‘Colorful Colorado’ collections HERE!

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