Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

After the Snow...

As photographers (even though we are far from professional),  George and I see alot more around us these days than we used to.... We just NOTICE life.... Isn't that just fabulous???? AND--there is beauty everywhere we look!!!!

Today's post contains some pictures we took while in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on June 25.   You have seen pictures of the snow on the mountain tops which we saw --and which I LOVED... But--another thing fascinated us --and that was seeing the NEW GROWTH in areas where the snow had melted...

Can you imagine being totally covered up by snow for many months --and when you finally get uncovered,  you are able to perk-up, smile and start growing again?????  WELL---that is what we saw in the Rockies!!!!   NEW GROWTH!!!!

Here are some pictures for you which we took while there---showing some of this new growth!!!!   Above is just a neat picture which George took --and I love it... Love how he framed it with that new growth!!!!  Below are more pictures which I took.


























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Finally,  here's another picture of one of the mountain ranges ---showing signs of growth, new life ---and GREEN popping out all over.

I think that we were totally in awe when it came to seeing the Rocky Mountains.  From all of the snow STILL on top  down to the green plants and shrubs growing where the snow had melted, we just stood there with our mouths open taking in the beauty.   Isn't LIFE just wonderful?????   God's beautiful world is just totally awesome --in so many, many ways---if we just take time to look.

Hugs,

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Such pretty photos today. How nice to see the new growth and experience the grandeur of those sweeping views. John and Larry also said they were just mesmerized by the beauty out west and the magnitude of God's wonders.
Hope you have a nice day. Try to stay cool!

Rita said...

Thank you for showing us such gorgeous pictures. It is wonderful to wake up and get a tour of an area that is so beautiful. You and George are the best.

Ms. A said...

I'm in the process of searching for a new camera and I'm having a hard time deciding what to get. Thanks to some of you bloggers who take amazing photography, I hope to actually start getting out more, to search for some beauty. You are so inspiring!

Catherine said...

Life is indeed an amazing thing Betsy ~ with Nature right at the top of things! :)
Happy Tuesday!
xo Catherine

pam said...

Beautiful! Love the bright apple green new growth!

From the Kitchen said...

I love that photo of George's too. I'm not sure I would have seized that perfect framing opportunity although I am seeing more and more as I traipse around with my camera. I've always been amazed with the new growth and the many shades of green in nature in springtime.

Best,
Bonnie

Darla said...

Yes there is a lot more to take time to smell the roses than just smelling the roses....

Dorothy said...

I agree with you, Betsy. Photography really opens your eye to the beauty of all things in Nature, both great and small. Great pictures! We loved the scenery 'out West' want to go back again soon!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I would readily agree that photography helps one to really see the beauty.One of the things I look forward to every spring is the new growth on the evergreens.I think I take a few pictures of it every year,it's just so pretty.I remember Rocky Mountain Park,from a visit many years ago.Beautiful place.

TexWisGirl said...

amen. life is full of beauty and hope and re-growth after snows... thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. (and i love your husband's shot too!)

Janice K said...

Beautiful post! The Rockies are so magnificent, and each season of the years seems to have a beauty all its own.

linda m said...

Your pictures are great! It is like I am on your vacation with you. Thanks for sharing.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Beautiful photos Betsy!
I love seeing the beauty of nature when it works together so well.

Valerie said...

Praise God for his beautiful handiwork! Such a nice job of showing LIFE Betsy! So green and lush! Beautiful!

MadSnapper said...

i really like the first shot, framed with trees. it would be a perfect postcard

Beth said...

I wonder of the 'inventor' of cheese twists took his/her cue from those 'blooms' in that first photo of yours?;-)
Beautiful indeed. I have seen the Rockies and I remember standing there in total awe at the majesty and beauty of it all.
I love the contrast of hues in your photos--you did a great job of capturing the subtle shades and also the textures. I truly enjoyed this one, but then all yours are a visual wake-up for me.:)

I Am Woody said...

Just beautiful! We were so disappointed last year on our trip out that the main road thru Rocky Mountain National Park was still closed for snow. All the more reason to return:)

mamahasspoken said...

Beautiful pictures as always!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your photos just make me want to hop into the car and take off for points west. Our Rockies are indeed beautiful, but you must plan to see the Canadian Rockies on your next trip. Talk about awesome!

Barbara said...

Such beautiful shots you got in those photos, I love your pictures they bring us to the very spot where they were taken, have a great day my friend, be blessed.

imac said...

I agree - its wonderful to get out and about, and you and George certainly make the most of it too.
Best of British I say - get out and see whats there - for one day maybe we wont. Live life to the full.

Arkansas Patti said...

George's shot not only show a good camera but an even better eye. Too bad one can't buy the latter for it would sure improve my shots.
I do love the color of new growth. You captured Spring in a far different ecosystem than I am used to.

Diane said...

Delighted to share the Rockies with you Betsy. The Bighorns are part of the mountain range. Diane

Connie said...

Beauty really is everywhere if we just take the time to notice. Wonderful pictures, Betsy! Enjoy your day! :)

Velvet Over Steel said...

Wow, how breathtaking, even in photographers!! & I don't a 'paid professional' could take any better pictures than you guys do. Must be your positive attitudes and love that make them so awesome!!

Have a wonderful week, Betsy!!
Hugs,
Coreen XO

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What an exciting and breathtakingly gorgeous place.
We lived in Colorado Springs, and ventured into those mountains often, they have a blue haze to them with all of the Blue Spruce trees.
These are incredible shots !
~Jo

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Just incredible, Betsy! I love traveling with you and George!
xo, misha

Ginny Hartzler said...

My favorite here is the baby pine cone! I think you have gotten your pictures really well organized and categorized!! You always have a particular subject to them, they are not random scenery! I can tell a lot of work went into it!!

Diane AZ said...

So amazing, it looks like springtime there! The baby pine cones are so sweet and the first and last pictures are breathtaking. I agree, that people who take pictures seem to notice the beauty of life more. :)

Betty Manousos said...

aw, Betsy what an inspiring post and photos!!
love your thoughts about photographers...couldn't agree more.

I rally enjoy traveling through your incredibly beautiful photos!!

hugs
betty xx

Sharodindu said...

Thanks for presenting these lovely pics of landscape :)
Loved the post very much and liked your decision to stop participating in blog award.... I'm going to follow you :)

CLICK!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Gorgeous mountainscape and the greens are so beautiful!!! I think I'd like a little of that snow today!!!
Have a beautiful day and try to keep cool!

Joe Todd said...

Stopped by to say Hi. to find you made a western trip.. Sounds like fun.. will check out some of your other posts. Have a great one

Cicero Sings said...

Wow Betsy, I've just been catching up on my blog reading and it looks like you had one fantastic trip. Such wonderous pictures, such colours. I always wanted to do some of that route but never got around to it. D did though so at least one of us saw such sights.

Jo said...

Hi Betsy, it's always wonderful to see new growth. To me you don't have to be newborn or small to grow. You can grow throughout life and regularly show new shoots. Yes, I agree, we seem to see more around us as we grow [older] and have the time to appreciate it all. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos of the Rockies. Blessings and hugs, Jo

Big Dude said...

I'm enjoying your trip Betsy

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the photos...just beautiful and AWESOME!

Lola said...

Beautiful pics Betsy. I enjoy going on the trip also.
Yes, there is a lot to see of nature if we only will look. That's why we always took back roads when we were on vacation in the mtns.

happyone said...

You are right there is beauty everywhere! Your photos as usual are beautiful.
I feel as you do, when I started taking pictures I noticed all the beauty around me. I always knew it was there but now I really see it. : )

Cheryl @ TFD said...

The photos are all wonderful and I especially like how George framed his shot. Beautiful! I'd have that photo framed!

Janie said...

Photography has really helped me develop a better eye, too.
Love the Rocky Mountain photos! It is amazing how quickly new life shoots up after the snow melts. The wildflowers have to get busy growing so they can bloom before the snow falls again!

Neal said...

I'll say it again...that is a beautiful park. When Patti's mom and dad lived in Denver we went to the park about every year. We done many hikes in there and would love to do many more. Great shots of the new growth.

Ann said...

Before I became really interested in photography I never noticed things the way I do now. It's amazing how it really opens your eyes.
Your photos are all beautiful.

Out on the prairie said...

I laughed calling the lady that takes care of my home while i am away and she had seen a goldfinch in my yard so she sat down and watched my feeders for an hour.Something she never really ever did.

Sally Wessely said...

I'm glad you loved our Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a truly beautiful spot. I enjoyed your take on some of what you saw there: new growth. Spring comes late to the high country, but when it comes, there is a sort of innocence and strength to its beauty. George did a marvelous job of showing the juxtaposition of new growth, old mountains, and snow. I love it!

Dar said...

God certainly Has blessed us with a rainbow of Eye Candy, hasn't He. I love seeing life through your eyes.
BlessYourHearts

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I also love the Rocky Mountaisn since BOTH my children now live near them now! Those mountains are very uplifting. To see the cycle of nature like this is also uplifting and gives hope for the future. Wonderful photos Betsy and George!

Twilight Man said...

It is like heavens to view your lovely photos. How I wish to be able to visit that place too. Life is too short and time flies so fast. America is like a big canvas painting with so many parts to admire!

Chatty Crone said...

Can I tell you - I LOVE your camera and your photographs! Rocky Mountain high, Colorado - John Denver . . .

Anonymous said...

I always like to see the crocuses pushing up from underneath the snow. It amazes me every year that a tiny flower can grow under feet of snow.

Rose said...

The air looks so clear there! Like you could see forever if you were on top of the mountains looking out.

Mary said...

That first photo is very beautiful! I'm catching up with your blog, but may not comment on all of the posts since I'm so far behind.

Lynda said...

The different hues of green are beautiful. I, too, loved how he framed that pic with the greenery up close. How did he do that - - - looked through branches of a tree?

KathyA said...

You and George just see so much joy everywhere you look and you share it with your photos!!

Those sights are truly MAGNIFICENT!!

diane b said...

Totally agree

Lynn said...

I love these pics of Rocky Natl. Love the new growth. Since we were there in the Fall, have wondered what it is like in Spring and Summer. So love the little yellow flower (daisy?)being so perky. But being me and loving/missing snow, I do love the snow capped mt pic best of all. Such a wonderful, wonderful trip you two lovebirds took. You will have so many more wonderful trips to come too.