Rich evening light finds its way under the clouds to illuminate portions of the distant Windows and Balanced Rock in the foreground, Arches National Park, Utah.

Glowing mudstone in low-angle light is a simple pleasure of which I never tire. We have a National Park Service puzzle that shows this view from a very similar perspective but with even more outrageous light. Every time I am compelled to complete the puzzle I am driven to return to this extraordinary place. Of course, the desert of the Colorado Plateau finds its way into my thoughts in puzzle-less contexts too. On our recent visits, it is apparent that many others now feel the same impulse, as Moab is booming with hotel and condo construction and the price of staying for a week is significantly more than it was even a few years ago. Progress raises its double-edged sword…

Tags:   Arches National Park Balanced Rock Colorado Plateau La Sal Mountains La Sals Landscape Moab National Park Rocky Mountains Southern Rockies The Windows Turret Arch U.S. National Park Utah clouds desert evening evening light magic hour mountains red rock red rock country red rocks sandstone snow snowscape spring sunset windows

© All Rights Reserved

I may not have been the only one here, but I was the only one out in a kayak that morning... So, In a way, I had it all to myself. Taken with my Canon 40D. Have a great weekend!

"As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see." -Vincent Van Gogh

© All Rights Reserved

My morning at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge series continues with this photo of a female Red-winged Blackbird. This species was plentiful that morning, but most of them were skittish so photo ops were few. I got lucky when this lady stuck around long enough for a few clicks from the rolling blind.

Tags:   red-winged blackbird female cornell lab audubon birds loess bluffs national wildlife refuge get your goose on wetlands nature conservation missouri birding protect the environment protect public lands protect wetlands

© All Rights Reserved

One of my favorite nearby places for a wonderful walk and good time is Coeur d'Alene's Tubbs Hill.

Tubbs Hill consists of over 165 acres and is bordered by Lake Coeur d’Alene on the west, south and east sides.

"Right in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, explore the wild beauty of the publicly owned Tubbs Hill peninsula with an easy trek on the Tubbs Hill Nature Trail. The two-mile trail loop along Lake Coeur d’Alene offers historical points along the way, plus there are terrific photo opportunities." visitnorthIdaho.com

Tags:   Tubbs Hill hiking trails autumn Coeur dAlene Lake Coeur d'Alene Idaho

© All Rights Reserved

The Brown Pelicans were in big numbers on my island trip. This one happens to be flying along with our boat - how cool izhat?! It's also sporting some breeding colors.

Just a note - someone forgot to reset her cameras to standard time. This was on that late afternoon return trip to the mainland.

Tags:   Pelecanus occidentalis brown pelican pelican

© All Rights Reserved