Morning Meander

We got what might be our last snow of the season on Friday night.  After a forecast of five inches earlier in the week, we ended up with less than an inch.  But it was enough to give everything a light frosting.  So I was up before sunrise on Saturday with no particular destination in mind to see what there was to see. 

Festival Park was my first stop.  As much as I like the shot I got, I want to come back again when there's holiday lights, a little more snow, and a little color in the sunrise.

From there I ended up in Perry Park, which was beautiful as I'd heard.  There was a little more development than I like in my landscape shots.  I did drive through a flock of at least 30 turkeys who were a delight to listen to.  Then I was driving back out of the community I stopped to check out the outflow from a pond on West Plum Creek, and liked the combination of frozen and rushing water.

I liked the scene in both landscape and portrait orientation, in fact.

The creek itself meandered nicely, much as I was doing this frosty morning.

Dawson Butte was close by, so it was there next.  I didn't hike too far before taking in this view of the butte with its summit obscured by the low clouds.

The moisture in the air and freezing temperatures did beautiful things to the pine needles...

...and the remaining dead oak leaves.

One last stop at Columbine Open Space, where the fence, still-dormant reeds, and reflections of the trees matched the tranquility of the morning.

Three hours on this morning meander through southern Douglas County.  No famous landmarks or epic vistas -- just classic Colorado beauty everywhere I looked.