Stained Glass

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When photographing this Chickadee it felt like looking into a wonderful stained glass window. This Chickadee was in a dark forest of thorny shrubs with just a hint of light shining in through the golden leaves that still remain on the trees behind. As a bonus we were treated to the choir singing away with a chorus of Dee-Dee-Dees from deeper within these bushes.

Grouse

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A downed tree makes a great place to lookout and survey your territory. We are not sure if this is spruce grouse or a ruffled grouse but it sure is a fine looking grouse and any grouse ID tips you can share would be appreciated. Photographed near, but not quite in, Yellowstone National Park earlier this year.

Early November

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Early November has been kind. A full spectrum of color remains in the woods from green to yellow to deep rich red. The cottonwood leaves have all come down allowing the bark to shine and the branches to dance in blue skies and warm temperatures of a very long indian summer. Winter plans to make an appearance in a big way this week with cold temps that will surely cause the remaining leaves to fall. Autumn appears to be falling into winter. Photographed on the Wheat Ridge Green Belt, Wheat Ridge, CO.