Project Athena - Day 115 (Animals)

Oh Deer!

“I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it’s such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”
— Ellen DeGeneres

Another beautiful day in Rocky Mountain National Park, along with 10,002 other wildlife enthusiasts and their 800mm zoom lenses. I finally had to get away from the craziness and stupid tourists. Yes, I said it. I drove out of the park and found a quiet little road that went nowhere in particular. I spotted this young buck with his family, peacefully grazing along the river. He watched me for awhile and I watched him. I asked if he would like to be famous today and he answered with this amazing leap across the stream. The buck stopped there. Ha- Ha. Thanks Mr Buck.

White Tail Deer, RMNP

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 70-300mm lens • 300mm • F9 • 1/320s • ISO 800

Project Athena - Day 113 (Animals)

Mine! 

This very possessive bull elk is bossing around his ladies and warning the other males in the area to steer clear of what is clearly his. I know this is "all natural" and everything but the feminist in me still gets tweaked at this animal's behavior and the cows who play along. Why can't we all just get along and share.😊

Bull Elk Bugling, RMNP

Bull Elk Bugling, RMNP

Project Athena - Day 70 (Trees)

From the Ashes

“Life is the fire that burns and the sun that gives light. Life is the wind and the rain and the thunder in the sky. Life is matter and is earth, what is and what is not, and what beyond is in Eternity.”
— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This tree remains standing almost two years after a forest fire scorched an area of Moraine Park in late 2012. The ground vegetation has grown back abundantly in the valley since then, covering the burn area with a soft blanket of green grasses and colorful wild flowers.

The charred blackness of this tree in stark contrast to the blue sky, the green grasses or the white snow reminds me that the earth continuously transforms itself with fire and out of those ashes, the most beautiful life is born.

RMNP, Colorado

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/13 • 1/20s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 69 (Trees)

I confess. I am a tree hugger.

“What did the tree learn from the earth to be able to talk with the sky?”
— Pablo Neruda

This tree has been on my radar for awhile now. I have actually attempted to photograph it several times before today and each time, the elements have not cooperated. Although tonight was windy and I couldn't use a tripod, I snapped a few hand held frames in hopes that I could hold the camera steady enough for a sharp image. I got one. Smiling.

RMNP, Colorado

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/413 • 1/80 • ISO 200