More Colorado Fall Colors

Here's another Skywatch Friday shot from my Lilypad Lake hike a couple of weeks ago.

Nijō Castle (2)

Here are more shots of the Nijō Castle (二条城 Nijō-jō) gardens, which include some pretty lakes.

Everything's kept up beautifully.

There's an impressive gate...

or two.

And what would a castle be without a moat?

This is definitely one of Kyoto's must-see sights.

Our World Tuesday

Deer, Deer

I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago. These little friendlies were sitting outside the doctor's office as I walked in, watching everybody come and go.

Camera Critters

Saturday's Critters

Little Rainbow

Here's a recent little rainbow seen from our front porch.

Skywatch Friday

Nijō Castle (1)

Nijō Castle (二条城 Nijō-jō) is one of the main sights in Kyoto. As we approached we saw this tower on the edge of the grounds.

After various disasters, the main building was replaced in 1893 by a prince's residence moved from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, about which I've already posted.

No photos were allowed inside the building but here's the outside.

I also loved this view from the grounds.

Our World Tuesday

Woody Shadows

Shadow Shot Sunday

The Weekend in Black and White

Final Beach Bridge Shot

Here's the last of the leftover photos from a trip to San Francisco. This latest series were all taken at China Beach. I must admit, this is one of my favorite shots.

Skywatch Friday

Kyoto Imperial Palace (2)

Here are some more shots of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所).

As you'd expect the landscaping is exquisite.

Of course there are water features...

...including lovely bridges.

I'm sure many important people have passed through the main courtyard.

Our World Tuesday

Cambridge 1979 (3)

Trees & Plane

Here's another Skywatch Friday shot from my Lilypad Lake hike, with evergreens, an aspen tree, and a plane contrail for good measure.

Hoosier Pass

When in Breckenridge last weekend I hiked from the top of Hoosier Pass. This mountain road tops out at 11,542 ft (3,518 m) above sea level and is open year-round; in fact it's the road I take when I go skiing, just driving a regular car.

Since it's a mountain pass, that means that it goes over a low point (in this case over the Continental Divide) and is surrounded by higher mountains. In fact, you can see four 14,000-foot (4,267 m) mountains from here, a couple of which I've climbed many years ago.

In North America, the Continental Divide separates the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds; any rain or snow that falls to the east of this pass eventually makes its way to the Atlantic ocean, and any that falls to the west eventually ends up in the Pacific. I hiked my way up a little above treeline, to around 12,000 feet (3,657 m) above sea level, and enjoyed the views very much.

With snow on the way (even at my house), high-elevation hiking season is probably over for this year.

Our World Tuesday

Reflective Lake

Here's a shot from last weekend's hike to Lilypad Lake, elevation 9,940 feet (3,030 meters) above sea level. It's taken with a very wide fisheye lens, the lake is bigger than it looks here.

Weekend Reflections

Aspen Skies

Here's a Skywatch Friday shot from last weekend's hike to Lilypad Lake, near Frisco (Colorado).

Summit County Fall Colors

We spent the weekend in Breckenridge, and I did a couple of local hikes. The first one was to Lilypad Lake. The local color was near its peak, maybe a little past.

The trail had some lovely views over the valley and reservoir.

I love the carpet of fallen leaves.

Lilypad Lake is at an elevation of 9,940 feet (3,030 meters) above sea level. The trail goes further but I turned back here.

I enjoyed more autumn colors on the way down.

Our World Tuesday