Did you ever go somewhere to photograph something (in my case bears and coyotes) that someone told you was ALWAYS in a particular spot? I was in my local hardware store the other day, and heard a contractor talking about building a screen for a patron’s dogs…….to keep them from barking so much at the coyotes and bears…..my ears pricked up! I had to break in……”and where would THAT be????” Of course I had to set out the very next early morning to find said coyotes and bears. Well, it was a beautiful morning after a lot of stormy weather: usually a great time to find wildlife. But, nada. However, I did enjoy the morning, searched out a new (to me) county open space park (Pine Valley Ranch), and drove up through incredible Sphinx Park (at the wrong time of day, though for photos……that is an evening kind of place). The historic Elk Creek valley is full of incredible vintage Rocky Mountain stick architecture, and the whole area SHOULD have been teeming with wildlife. Oh well. I’ll just have to make some repeat visits!
Spires above the South Platte River
South Platte River along S. Platte R. Rd.
Cascades along the Platte
Canada Geese along the S. Platte
Elk Creek Valley……road to Sphinx Park above Pine
The iconic Buck Snort Saloon in Sphinx Park…….I’ve always wanted to stop there! Live music, outdoor eating over the creek, this out-of-the-way spot hops on weekends!
Lovely example of Rocky Mountain Stick Architecture above Sphinx Park along Elk Creek. A vacation rental!
No, NOT the plumbing for the vacation rental! But obviously still in use by someone in the valley…….note the “porthole” window added on.
Wonderful little spot along Elk Creek
Grazing land in the valley
dannenattundrawinds 