Wheee…it’s been a wild and busy week but we managed to ‘hang’ there and make it to Friday which means it’s time to join Rosy from “Adventures of the LLB Gang” for their weekly Nature Friday blog hop. Don’t forget to check out what others shared by clicking on the link.
This week I traveled south to see my Dad and to visit with a sister from flew in from Maryland to also visit with Dad. Let see what autumn looks like in southern Colorado, shall we?
Autumn is in full swing along the Greenhorn mountains west of Pueblo and a beautiful alpenglow at sunrise silhouetted a lone pinon tree in the wide open space on the nearby Walker Ranch. Nature deftly adds some tawny buffalo grass among the prairie dog burrows and provides a serene and resplendent landscape.
Sunrises tend to be pretty spectacular down at Dad’s anyway and they certainly haven’t disappointed this week. Everything seems to glow in the autumn air.
Prairie grasses are illuminated in the early morning light while my favorite tree continues to remain stately just a couple of hours later. You may recall I’ve featured this tree before and it continues to blow me away, given that it is estimated to be over 700 years old, yet it still soldiers on. And as is so typical in these parts, a beautiful blue bird colored sky makes for a great backdrop for added emphasis.
Down the road a large patch of rabbitbrush is in full bloom and provides a safe habitat for neighboring bunnies and other small creatures. One dashed out in front of me as I headed up the hill but was so fast I couldn’t even grab my cell phone quick enough to capture it. But like all the rabbits around Dad’s house, it was furry and adorably cute with a signature white powder puff of a tail. Wouldn’t it be nice to be as energetic so early in the day? But all was not lost on spotting critters. I did find these guys on the afternoon walk. I’m a total sucker for whimsical lawn art.
Plus keeping up with them is never a problem and they happily pose for pics.
They may not be actual living creatures, but they still provide a nice smile nonetheless.
We hope autumn is beautiful in your neck of the woods (or plains, as the case may be). Do you have any special plans for the weekend? Whatever you do, I hope you’re able to take some time to enjoy this beautiful time of year.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
That golden glow over the landscape is just breathtaking, Monika, and finding those little creatures in the middle of nowhere…or somewhere😸made us smile too😺Extra Pawkisses just for you🐾😽💞
Many thanks. There is something extra special about sunrises this time of year. I’m always on the lookout for cute little creatures on our walks. Naturally I’m see lots of spiders, pumpkins and skeletons lately. 😉
I always love seeing the sky and scenery around your Dad’s. Hope he is doing well. The pose and expression of the moose reminds me of Xena (without the horns). She does love having her picture taken, as has all my schnauzers. I’ve often wondered what they think I’m doing…
Thanks, Amy. That area has some amazing scenic views. And thanks for asking about Dad; he’s doing great. I should be as vibrant and in such good shape at 92!
Wow. Jeff’s Mom is 92 and has just moved back “home” to Ft. Wayne and into an assisted care living. Since she’s around people and activities, she is more mobile and seems happier.
Dad’s always been physically active (he still goes fishing whenever he can) and has done a remarkable job keeping up on maintaining the house and meals. I wish I could visit him more often because we have such spirited discussions solving the world’s problems. 😉 Let’s hear it for vibrant 92 year olds!
That’s going to be us some day!
Hope springs eternal!
Mee-yow that Sunrise iss sunthin else Miss Monika!
An yore 700 yeer old tree iss speck-taculur!
Collyrado iss an amazin place….THE more wee see fotoss from you an our other frendss Mani Poochie an Mistur uy; THE more wee fall inn LOVE with yore State!!!!
***purrss*** BellaDharma an <3 BellaSita Mum
Aww, thank you, dear kitty and Mu.! Autumn light has the ability to even make weeds look amazing! 😻
Mew mew mew yore RITE Miss Monika!!!! 😉
Happy Friday from its Saturday night. Looks like a beautiful time of year in the Pueblo area.
Thanks, Frank. It’s beautiful everywhere this time of year.
Beautiful photos – and we really do love the adorable yard art – perfectly placed too!
Hugs, Teddy and Mom
Those colours were spectacular….your father must just love living there.
Great photos. I live in New England so we have spectacular foliage.
Thank. You New Englanders are the benchmark when it come to autumn. Our west views tend to be more in the gold range. 😉
So beautiful! And I too am a sucker for lawn art!
Why thank you, Martha. I like whimsical but not too kitschy.
Such a beautiful sunrise, and all of the fall colors in that photo are stunning. Autumn is our favorite season. Birdie and I will be taking our humans for a walk in the park this Sunday so we can enjoy the cool weather and, hopefully, see some fall leaves. Have a great weekend! ~Tallulah Bee
We hope you’ve been enjoying your autumn walks. We love walking through the crunchy leaves.
Wow!!! So much Wow!! Lovely post today, so many Southwestern feels!
Aww, you’re too kind. Being in that part of the state you really get a sense of the Southwest. Enjoy the balloon festival!
Lovely nature in those parts! That tree is a stubborn one, determined to never give up:)
I got a giggle at your critter pictures. Those are ever so cute!
They cracked me up. I think my sister thought I was crazy for stopping to check them out more closely. Have a wagnificent weekend!
It’s beautiful, but it looks really dry.
Good guess. They don’t call it a mountain desert for nothing! Hope you guys have a lovely weekend.
Terrific photos Monika. Your Dad’s place looks very peaceful. That tree is spectacular.
Thanks, John. I love coming down here; it’s nice and quiet and peaceful. Well except when we bring out the bourbon. LOL Have a wagnificent weekend.
I hear that. Had some Willett last night
Whoa…your bourbon was better than mine 😊
What did you have?
Maker’s Mark.
I like that too.
It’s decent enough, especially for Manhattans. 😉 🥃
Old fashions here. 🥃
Whimsical lawn art is always a winner with me. Those faux animals are adorable. The 700-year-old tree gets the Nature Friday Lifetime Achievement Award. Good heavens, that’s a long time. Definitely gonna get out there and enjoy nature this weekend, and I hope you can as well, Monika!
Thanks Bruce. Yeah, that tree is a true marvel. Enjoy your weekend autumn splendor.
A wonderful series of gorgeous scenery (and animals!). I hope all is well with your Dad and that you had a great visit.
Many thanks for those kind words. We’ve had a wonderful visit! Hope you have a terrific weekend.
Nothing like Western landscapes, so breathtaking!
They really are something special!
My favorite part of the US, can’t imagine moving back east.
Each region has something unique and wonderful to offer, but like you, I’m very partial to this part of the country.
we have had a stretch of simply glorious autumn weather here in Michigan. 60’s, sunny….for over a week. Today, quite cool, low 50s and cloudy, but it’s supposed to become nice again next week. Nothing this weekend but sports!! Baseball and football!!! Wooo hoo!
It’s that time of year for sports galore. Enjoy them as well as the beautiful autumn weather this weekend.
Gorgeous sunrise pictures! 👍👍
Thanks. They are so pretty, down there in rural areas.
I’m a sucker for whimsy too…. glad you got to visit.
Don’t they just make you chuckle out loud? Have a great weekend.
Lulu: “A hill full of rabbits, you say? Hmmmmmmm …”
Oh Lulu…you’d be in rabbit heaven there!
So beautiful. It’s still in the 90s here in the afternoons. I’m ready for fall.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the pups, a smooch to Norman and a big hug to mom. ♥
Yikes, I’m so grateful be past that phase. It was a ‘crisp’ 46F degrees this morning. Hopefully the weather will become more autumn like for you guys soon. Have a terrific weekend! Norman sends puppy kisses.
What beautiful photos! I love prairie grass (we don’t have that here)…the photos are dreamy! And I do love that lawn art, so cute. Autumn is the favorite season here. We love all the colors…and my Huskies used to love to roll in the leaves (as a matter of fact, my flashback photo today is exactly of that!) Looks like you had a lovely visit with your dad.Thanks for sharing these spectacular pics with us!
Many thanks for your kind comment, Dorothy. Autumn is such a gorgeous time of year, it’s my favorite season. Gotta love that gorgeous golden light that dominates autumn.n Have a beautiful weekend.
Every picture is a postcard picture. Beautiful.
Aww, you’re too sweet. It’s been so wonderful seeing you. Hugs.