THE GLORY OF BIERSTADT LAKE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK The color of autumns box

The color of autumns box elder trees with the cloud reflections in the South Fork Kishwaukee River had been a majestic scene to behold

some wild bergamot was near as was false sunflowers and goldenrod that was yet to blossom along with a couple rosinweed plants

A monarch butterfly moves atop swamp milkweed flowers using its proboscis to sip nectar from the swamp milkweed florets as the late afternoon sunlight illuminates this prairie scene at Wildflower Park in Northern Illinois

One of the two hawthorn trees stands picturesque in a winter wonderland scene against Wildflower Lake on this beautiful late afternoon day at Wildflower Park

THE GLORY OF BIERSTADT LAKE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK The color of autumns boxIt was a cool August summer morning when I arrived at the trailhead to Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. I started up the steep trail at 5: 15 am to catch the sunrise at the lake and the Continental Divide. It would take me just under an hour to reach the lake. There are numerous switchbacks leading up the mountain through some stands of aspen trees. After about 20 minutes, I no longer needed my headlamp to guide my way up the mountain.