Helen Hunt Falls

We visited Helen Hunt Falls at Cheyenne Mountains.  This is a popular place and people enjoy climbing to the top of the falls and across the bridge to look down at the water hitting the rocks.  Helen Hunt, a famed author, moved to Colorado Springs in 1873. She wrote many poems and stories about the Pikes Peak Region. She started a letter writing campaign to promote the preservation of North Cheyenne Canyon as a public park.  She became outraged by the unfair treatment of American Indians. She was outspoken in defense of the Cheyenne and Arapho people after the Sand Creek Massacre (1864) and defended the Utes after the Meekere Massacre (1879). In order to increase the awareness of the injustices suffered by the American Indians, she wrote her 2 most important books: "A century of dishonor", and "Ramona".

Bridge to the Little Church in the Wildwood

How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning
To listen to the clear ringing bells
It's tones so sweetly are calling
Oh, come to the church in the vale
Come to the church by the wildwood...

Path of the Golden Hue

The walking trail  leads into the foothills of  the Garden of the Gods.  I understand they had their first snow fall of the winter season so these trees may now be bare or will be very soon.  I was happy to capture the delicious golden hue of nature.

Angels of Stone & Halos

It is difficult to pick out just one or two favorite photos when you have such a spectacular view.  I tried to do many different angles and zoomed in as much as my camera would allow.  The far off scene looks serene and peaceful like angels of stone with white halos.

Mountain of the Dragon

The people of the earth got tired of life here and decided they wanted to leave the land behind and go to heaven. The gods were angry that the people took for granted the great gift of life and the earth. So they sent a great flood that covered all the flatlands and began creeping up the mountains. A man and woman survived the flood, swimming for days as the waters rose. Finally, they found an enormous corn stalk and fashioned it into a canoe that saved them as the water covered the mountain peaks. The gods were pleased with this man and woman. They told them they would have dominion over the earth and a mighty people would spring from them. To save them, the gods sent a dragon of great thirst from heaven to Earth. He gulped down the waters of the flood as if his thirst might never be quenched. Slowly, the waters receded down the face of the mountains, revealed the flatlands, and were once again contained in the rivers. The dragon's body swelled and swelled, but still he drank. The gods worried the dragon might drain all the water from the earth, so they turned him to stone. He is Cheyenne Mountain. The dragon is still in our midst, and you can see his horns, his flat head, the spines along his back and his bloated body.

Entrance to Legends

Entrance to the myths and Legend of Pike's Peak is how I would start a novel of the ancient civilization that lived here.

Silver Lining before the Rain

I like this particular stone formation with white/silver rock against a large grey sky. The Rain Clouds were headed our way.  It was a rainy day and dark clouds covered the area.

Garden of Cliffs

Many people automatically assume that the Native Americans named the Garden of the Gods, Colorado. However, in this case, they are mistaken. In August of 1859, two surveyors begin a town site, which would soon be called Colorado City came up with the name.

Church of Magnificent Miles

This photo was taken by DW Fallin in Colorado Springs next to Garden of The Gods.  I wonder if the local people realize the magnitude of the beauty of this church setting.   It is very small but magnificently located in the foothills with miles of mountain range.

Her lower branches were bare

Her lower branches were bare but the tall, lanky tree held on to her lovely top foliage wearing it like a hat. If trees could talk, what would they say on dark, cloudy days of rain and wind all around?  I loved "Lord of the Rings" where trees came to life and battled for good.

Nature Deserves Respect

This area was spoiled by the park personnel placing a large garbage can in front of this tree.  There was a parking lot with plenty of other spaces for garbage cans.  The gracefulness of the bare branches cried out  Why?   Nature deserves more respect then this.  I cropped the garbage out and the image reflects the way it should have been.

The Bridge to Wonderland

The bridge to wonderland leads you down a path into a fanasty world of high peaks and valleys with strange shapes and legends.   

Nature's Magic Wand

In the summer, this bridge is basically plain and nothing unusual but nature has a way of dressing up even the most plain looking and simple structures into a beautiful sight. She waves her magic wand called autumn.

Kissing above the tree tops-Garden of the Gods

The trees are so small compared to the massive rocks.  Their brillant colors stood out against the red clay peaks.  The scene looks like it belongs to "Lord of the Rings" or better "the kissing camels".

Naure's Watercolor Wash

I have studied watercolor techniques and you apply several washes to your canvas working on the different levels of color.  Working from the light to the dark and to the vibrant details as finish touches.  I applied several watercolor washes to this photo but it is pale in comparison to the real thing.

Silver Silhouette of Splendor

A silver silhouette that caught my eye among the bright autumn leaves.  A small birch tree had already lost its leaves but yet its slim branches reached out with silver splendor and touched the sky.

"From Where I Stand" Vol 3

As night falls, you try to capture every moment and breathe in all you can to carry it with you through the night. Until once again, day light comes and you can join nature in all her splendor.

"From Where I Stand" Vol 2

The veiw is endless; the limitation of the human eye cannot grasp the distance of the far beyond.

"From Where I Stand" Vol 1

The contrast in colors between the distant mountain peaks and the fall foliage was stunning to the naked eye.

Protrait of a Wild Turkey Neighbor

As we climbed around the mountain side, we had been warned about mountain lions and bears; instead, we encountered a flock of wild turkeys.  Photo taken by DW Fallin.  I applied a watercolor wash; I like this photo painting.

Thunder Across the Mountain Range

I watch the clouds gathered and could hear the thunder from across the mountain range.  I watched the rain hit the city with no mercy.  When it started to thunder in several locations and over my head, it was time to get out of the elements.

Fallin' Halo at Cedar Heights

The drive down Cedar Heights has gorgeous autumn trees with golden halos and these pictures were taking as I was literally fallin' out the car door.  Tripped and fell out the door - camera and all - Rough landing for a few pictures. It bruised my halo!

O' Soaking in the Sunlight

Every dog has his day and O' had his in the sunrays.  The shadows of the window frames made a picture Perfect Portrait.  Photos by DW Fallin.

Around the Corner - Manitou Springs

Around the corner from our Daughter and Son-In-Law's House in Manitou Springs.

Break of Dawn - View from Manitou Springs

Early morning sunrise in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Board Walk at Marineland

A very warm and sunny afternoon at Marineland.  Very few people were there except for another photographer hiding behind the Sea Oats taking pictures of the waves hitting the rocks.  Great day for photo opts.

Rainy afternoon at the Gazebo

It was a rainy afternoon and the grounds were wet but it seem to fit the environment of the pond and surrounding gardens.  Along with the rain was a nice cool breeze so there was tranquility in the air.  I applied a watercolor wash with angle brush strokes to this photo. The sun was coming out from behind the clouds and cast a bright light through the tree branches.

Wide October Sky over the marsh at Fort Matanzas

Fort Matanzas is only a few minutes outside of St. Augustine. It is a free state park and worth the trip.  We took a ferry ride out to the fort and got an interesting history lesson on what it was like to be in the navy during colony times.  You were required to have at least 3 front teeth so you could eat.  How times have changed!

Washington Oaks Beach-Sea Turtles Habitat

This beach was still in its natural habitat.  Several locations had been marked off to protect Sea turtles nesting areas.  The view was endless between beach, sky and water.  No destructive cars and crowds.

A Pensive Moment for Maria

Captured a pensive moment of Maria enjoying the waves, seagulls and ocean breeze.  It was place a to be alone, a place of beauty, a place of peace, a place to embrace nature.  A beautiful picture taken at the beach on Marineland.

Drift Wood at Matanzas River

 The Matanzas River supports an extensive tidal marsh habitat. There is a lot of old drift wood along the shoreline. Natural artistic structures of nature that can only be observed in its natural habitat.  After a rain fall in Washington Oaks State Park.  Applied a watercolor technique to both photos.

Castillo de San Marcos

View from top of Castillo de San Marcos.  It is a bastion of the largest empire ever created, the Castillo was built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World.  Though caught in the whirlwinds of colonial warfare and intrigue, it was never defeated in battle.  Its scarred walls still stand witness to over 330 years of history and culture.