EcoPrints Nature Photography

09/04/2021

It’s been some time since I’ve posted here (obviously) and I will likely not be posting much, if anything, in the near future as I am mostly using Instagram these days so if you want to continue to see my posts, please follow me on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/lisalakel/

Thank you for your interest!

1,238 Followers, 671 Following, 72 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Lisa Lakel ()

06/14/2017

SUN KISSED BANNER. Summer has finally come to Conifer Mountain and Mountain Golden Banners (like this one lit up by the sun) are starting to make an appearance. A member of the pea family, they burst on the scene with great fanfare; bright yellow patches of them can be found in abundance all over the area. One of my favorite signs of summer!

06/13/2017

SUPER MOON OVER DENVER. Last November's Super Moon rises above the sprawling lights of Metro Denver.

I took this photo from the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden where there was almost a party atmosphere among those gathered to view this spectacle. Clouds blocked the moon as it hit the horizon, which was a shame because it was such a deep, beautiful orange-red, but you could only see a sliver of it. Had it been a completely clear night it would have been spectacular!

05/20/2017

The Thursday storm that dumped about 16" of snow on Conifer Mountain was slowly making its way to lower elevations yesterday. May snowstorms are not that unusual here (we had a foot of snow on Memorial Day one year) but this was a particularly strong storm, leaving up to 3 feet in some places in the foothills, so I guess can't complain... And it's already starting to melt today! ☀

05/13/2017

Today is International Migratory Bird Day! One large migratory bird is the Sandhill Crane, seen here soaring over Colorado's San Luis Valley during their annual spring migration.

As many as 25,000 cranes stop to rest and feed in the San Luis Valley on their way from New Mexico to their summer breeding grounds in the greater Yellowstone area. They stand nearly four feet tall and their loud vocalizations, especially as they take off and land en masse, are deafening. I spent a few memorable days in Monte Vista one spring to witness this natural wonder against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Such an incredibly impressive spectacle!

International Migratory Bird Day celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

04/22/2017

NATIONAL PARK WEEK

Mesa Verde National Park has some of the best preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the country, dating back to around 1200 when the Ancestral Pueblo people began living in homes beneath overhanging cliffs. When walking among these spectacular cliff dwellings one can almost hear the laughter of the children and the songs of the elders who made this place their home.

The National Parks are among this country's greatest treasures but are in peril now due to deregulation of environmental laws and decreases in funding. Visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalParks/ to learn how you can help.

04/20/2017

NATIONAL PARK WEEK

It's National Park Week and parks are free to visit this weekend!

Colorado is home to 16 of America's National Parks, Monuments, Recreation Areas, Historic Sites and Historic Trails. I've only been to 7 of them. 10 more to go! They are each beautiful, impressive and unique in their own way.

Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa in the San Luis Valley has the tallest dunes in North America: huge mountains of sand to climb, slide down and play on, or just gaze upon from afar. They are a sight to see!

About 440,000 years ago, winds began picking up sand that had been deposited in the valley by an ancient flood plain and laying it at the foot of the Sangre de Christo mountains. These enormous dunes are the result, and the process continues to this day with the wind continually adding more sand.

The National Parks are among this country's greatest treasures but are in peril now due to deregulation of environmental laws and decreases in funding. Visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalParks/ to learn how you can help.

04/19/2017

The first hummer of the year stopped by for a drink yesterday. Spring is on the way!

02/17/2017

This beautiful little bird resides in the Western Mountains and forests
and is a daily visitor to my feeders. -- Join The Great Backyard Bird Count, which begins today and runs through Monday!
http://gbbc.birdcount.org

10/07/2013

I took this view of the Aspens and Black Mountain from the top of our boulder field before the snow hit last week. Just a typical Colorado day!

10/01/2013

Autumn on the mountain is looking pretty spectacular right now!

09/22/2013

It's the first day of fall! Something to celebrate!

Fall is my favorite time of year. The cool, crisp days, wood smoke in the air, brightly colored leaves rustling in the wind; all serve to heighten the senses and cause one to reflect on the passing seasons.

I hope you can take some time to stop and enjoy this amazingly beautiful time of year!

Happy Autumnal Equinox!