Audubon Society of Greater Denver, Share the View International Nature Photography Competition, 2015 - Highly Commended for Photographic Excellence, Semi-finalist

Shrine Ridge

An exemplary summer scene filled with Colorado wildflowers, blue skies, and distant mountain views. This is my paradise.

Pink Rocks on Shrine Ridge

In July, Shrine Ridge near Vail Pass is an absolute paradise with wildflowers and spectacular vistas in every direction.

Brainard Lake

I hiked up the road to Brainard Lake and made myself comfortable near the shoreline. I had the lake all to myself as the sun set and a storm blew in. I was able to capture several gorgeous scenes before I got drenched. This one is one of my favorites.

Heavenly Goat

After a long day climbing a 14er, I returned to my car to find a large family of mountain goats circling me. I sat on the ground for a while as they sniffed me. After about 15 minutes, I noticed this goat high up on a ridge, dancing and singing. I had no time to change to a longer lens but I was lucky enough to capture this amazing image, one of my favorites of 2014. You can't plan a photo like this.

Afternoon Moose

A moose rests idly in the bush near Brainard Lake, Colorado.

Colorado Quintessential

Blue skies, snow-capped mountains, evergreens, tundra, crisp air...the quintessential wilderness experience in beautiful Colorado.

The Tenmile Range

An awe-inspiring view of the Tenmile Range in Colorado. This tower of granite was shot from the rugged west ridge of Quandary Peak, Colorado's easiest 14er, which I have climbed three times.

Quandary Wildflowers

Larger than Mountains

Indian Peaks Majesty

As the sun set over Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness rain began to fall. I packed up my gear and started hiking out of the area. At the last moment I decided I needed to take a look at this particular scene, which I had passed several times before on previous hiking adventures. I turned back and hiked about a mile further into the wilderness. At the designated spot, I stepped off the trail, through some willows, and down into a bog, where I set up my tripod in 2 inches of water. The sky slipped slowly into twilight but not without treating me to one great gasp of majestic awe.

Evergreens on the Divide

This photo has everything I look for in a scene: the details of what makes a mountain, a distant mountain, and a signature sky.

Red Rock Lake #2

A gorgeous alpine lake with the shoreline and clouds reflecting in the cold water. This is an often overlooked tarn in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on the approach to Brainard Lake.

Tree Line

An interesting scene at tree line where winter is losing its battle to the warmth of June.

Talus at Blue Lakes

Monte Christo creek drains into Blue Lakes reservoir just below this spot, looking toward the mighty north face of North Star Mountain and Wheeler Peak in Colorado's high country.

View from 14,265

The West Ridge

An arduous ascent leads to this saddle, which connects Quandary Peak with the Tenmile Range. Ahead is the west ridge and summit of Quandary Peak, topping out at 14,265'.

Wildflowers on Shrine Ridge

Wildflowers in full bloom on Shrine Ridge near Vail Pass, Colorado. The state flower, the lovely lavender Columbine is on display. There is a reason we call our state Colorful Colorado.

Alpine Oasis

A grassy apline oasis on the approach to the west ridge of Quandary Peak in Colorado.

Approaching the West Ridge

Granite as far as the eye can see! This is a more interesting way to climb Colorado's Quandary Peak. In contrast to the heavily trampled hiker's trail on Quandary's East Ridge, the extra effort and skill required with this approach and ensuing scramble rewarded me with my greatest longing...solitude.

Audubon Society of Greater Denver, Share the View International Nature Photography Competition, 2015 - Highly Commended for Photographic Excellence