Spanish Peaks and La Veta Colorado. March 8, 1993.
Yesterday, December 11, was International Mountain Day, and I missed it. I didn’t even know there is such a day. I love mountains!
International Mountain Day
Category Archives: Photo Locations
Face to Face at -40 Degrees
Cougar, Wildlife Prairie Park, December 9, 1995.
It was 30 years ago today and I was face to face with a cougar. The windchill was -40° Fahrenheit at Wildlife Prairie Park. It was bone chillingly cold, even with Sorel Pac boots, thermal underwear, layers of clothes, and a winter parka. I had to take a break every hour or two to warm up. But it was worth it.
Fall Color Series: September 23 – December 9
Aspen grove, Marshall Pass, Colorado.
Autumn is by far my favorite nature photography season. I take more pictures in the fall than any other season of the year.
Ohio, November 3
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. November 3, 2017.
I had never been to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so a friend and I decided to go there for the day
Colorado, October 29
Horseshoe Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. October 29, 2012.
Trip with John, day 3. This overlook on deer mountain has a nice view of the valley (“park”) below.
Colorado, October 28
Arkansas River along U.S. 50 between Salida and Cotapaxi Colorado. October 28, 2012.
Trip with John, day 2. When we were growing up, several times a year our parents would take us along the Arkansas River to get to the mountains in the west.
Colorado, October 27
John (left) and Jim, O’Haver Lake sign, Colorado. October 27, 2012.
Trip with John, Day 1. My brother John had not been back to Colorado since 1969, so we decided it was time to go on a trip to Colorado and visit our favorite childhood places. The fall colors were gone, but this was the only time we could both make the trip. This sign marks a very special childhood place.
Michigan, October 27
Seney National Wildlife Refuge. October 27, 2025.
Before driving home, I stopped at Seney National Wildlife Refuge which is just two miles north of Germfask Michigan. Seney is one of my favorite places on the planet. The roads that loop through the refuge close after October 20 and they are not open to foot traffic, but you can see two of the ponds from the road to the visitor’s center. I stopped to take this picture of one of them before pointing my car toward home. From May 15 to October 20 when the roads are open, I highly recommend Seney as a place to visit and take pictures.
Michigan, October 25
Fernwood Botanical Garden. October 25, 2025.
This is the second day of my Michigan fall color trip and my first full day. I began at Fernwood Botanical Garden near Niles Michigan.
California: October 25
El Capitan Reflection, Yosemite National Park, California
I was in Yosemite during the fall, but the fall colors had barely begun.
Michigan, October 24
Trillium Ravine Nature Preserve. October 24, 2025.
I left Iowa in the morning and arrived at Trillium Ravine near Buchanan Michigan at 5:38 pm. My plan was to capture fall colors before it got too dark. It turns out the best color was on the outside edge of the preserve. The interior of the preserve was still mostly green.
Vermont, October 23
Cemetery, Shaftsbury Vermont, Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway. October 23, 2017.
I was on my way home from Acadia National Park and spent part of a day checking out the scenery in southwest Vermont. The Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive in the fall.
Rockwell Country, October 23
Covered Bridge over the Batten Kill River and Norman Rockwell’s Home. Arlington Vermont. October 23, 2017.
It was a beautiful fall day in Vermont and I was in Norman Rockwell country. Rockwell’s home is just a couple of miles west of Arlington Vermont.
Acadia, October 22
Jesup Path, Acadia National Park. October 22, 2017.
My fall in Acadia National Park Series. This was my last day of 5 splendid days in Acadia National Park. When I was writing about the best national parks to visit in the fall, I checked articles by two photographers and eleven travel writers. The most recommended national park for fall colors is Acadia. (See the two links below.) After my 2017 trip to Acadia I can see why. I highly recommend a trip to Acadia in the fall.
Acadia, October 21
Dawn on top of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park. October 21, 2017.
My fall in Acadia National Park Series.
Acadia, October 20
Dawn at Otter Cliff, Acadia National Park. October 20, 2017.
My fall in Acadia National Park Series.
Acadia, October 19
Otter Cliff and Granite Ledges at Sunrise, Acadia National Park. October 19, 2017.
My fall in Acadia National Park Series.
Acadia, October 18
Acadia National Park at Night. October 18, 2017.
My fall in Acadia National Park Series.
River of Sky, October 17, 2023 and October 9, 1998.
River of Sky. Manistique River Roadside Park south of Germfask Michigan. Fujichrome Velvia slide film. Friday, October 9, 1998.
Two years ago today, October 17, 2023, I stopped at the Manistique River Roadside Park just south of Germfask Michigan in search of an old photo location.
Michigan, October 13
Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 13, 2008.
My fall in Michigan series. The Point Iroquois Lighthouse is a great fall photo location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Colorado, October 13
Aspen, Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park. October 13, 2022.
My fall in Colorado series.
Michigan, October 12
Cut River Bridge in the Fall, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 12, 1994.
My fall in Michigan series. You will see this bridge again in four days when I post Michigan, October 16.
Colorado, October 12
Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park. October 12, 2007.
My fall in Colorado series.
Mo’orea, October 11
Mt. Mou’aroa, the “Shark’s Tooth” (far left) and Mt. Rotui over Cook’s Bay, Mo’orea, French Polynesia. Oct 11, 2004.
October is spring in French Polynesia. I suspect French Polynesia is beautiful most any time of year. We were on the island of Mo’orea, not far from Tahiti.
Colorado, October 11
Horseshoe Park, Ypsilon Mountain, Rocky Mountain National Park. October 11, 2007.
My fall in Colorado series. As you can see from these photos, fall colors can hang around for quite a while in Horseshoe Park, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Michigan, October 9
“River of Sky”, Roadside Park, Germfask, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 9, 1998.
My fall in Michigan series. I stopped at a roadside park just south of Germfask Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. I was sitting at a picnic table and I happened to look straight up. I saw a blue river of sky winding it way between red maple leaves. I grabbed my camera and shot straight up. This is one of my favorite fall color images.
Colorado, October 9
Michigan, October 8
Autumn, Upper Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 8, 1998.
My fall in Michigan series. The end of the fall color season in Colorado overlaps with the beginning of the fall color season in Michigan. So why not do both? Upper Tahquamenon Falls is one of the great fall color locations in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Tannin from the cedar swamps in the area leaches into the water, giving the falls its distinctive color.
Colorado, October 7
Colorado, October 6
Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado. October 6, 2007.
My fall in Colorado series.