A Bright Hope Photos

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Snow Shoeing - Near Flaming Gorge, UT - 1.10.2011

We had our first "real" snow shoeing experience. It was absolutely amazing. Standing on the ledge overlooking the snow-covered mountains and the still-liquid Flaming Gorge was amazing. As I looked out over the beauty, I felt so lucky to be there. We were the first ones (human, anyway) to trudge through the snow. Although it is a short hike (just 3 miles round trip), it was amazing to realize how few people will see this vista, at least in the snow.

The photo above and the photo below were taken about 15 minutes apart. The temperature dropped at least 10 degrees during that time period as the clouds covered the sun and the breeze picked up speed.

I only had my short lens so the photos of this rabbit and deer are not very clear, but it was so fun to see them during our hike.

Thanks for the snow shoes, Dad!

Thanks for the backpacks and water hose insulators Dad and Mom!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Snow - Vernal - 12.21.2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

California Quail - Home - Vernal, UT - 12.18.2010

These quail run around our yard every day. I get a kick out of seeing them run/wade their way through the snow.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

House Sparrow - Vernal Avenue - 12.9.2010

As I was driving home today I decided to snap a few photos of the strange frost that is created by Vernal's daily inversion. While I was doing so, I came across a few bushes filled with House Sparrows. They were so puffy to keep warm; I think these little birds are most adorable in the winter because they fluff their feathers so much.

They were of course a bit wary of me when I first stopped the car in front of their winter resort. In fact, they all flew away into a nearby evergreen tree.

I ran one more errand and then decided to stop by to see if they had come back. They were back in their bushes, so I coasted in and spent about 45 minutes just enjoying their company.

They quickly became so comfortable with my presence that more than half of the 100 or so birds went to sleep. Some would twitch ever so slightly at the sound of my shutter.