Paul Kestel - COLORADO

Aspen Leaves

I love the color and shape of Aspen leaves. Especially when rain or snow is on the leaves.

Aspen Trees

I love the simplicity of this image.

Spanish Peaks

These two lone peaks are very special to me. I climbed these when I was 14.

Roaring Fork River

I enjoyed sitting on the rocks and listening to the river fall over the rocks.

Sunrise over the Bells

Maroon Bells

Snowy Aspens

The morning we drove out to Independence Pass we received a light dusting of snow. It just made everything look beautiful.

Moon Rise over Maroon Bells

This is one of my favorite images from this location. When we showed up at this spot it was pitch black and no one else around for miles.

Moose

Rocky Mountain National Park

Devils Punchbowl

The Roaring Fork River has several little waterfalls the end up in a deep swimming hole called The Devil's Punch Bowl. I have never seen such blueish water before (outside of an amusement park).

Devils Punchbowl

After taking this image a local jumped into the water. Even though it was summer he said the water was still freezing.

Medano Creek

The Medano Creek is fed from the melting snow from the San Juan Mountains. Standing in this creek took your breath away as it was so cold even in the summer.

Lone Tree

As we drove into the park I noticed this dead tree on the side of the road, we had to turn around to get a few images.

Aspen Trees

Summer

Dancing Sun

I enjoyed watching the sun dance across the dunes. Such a beautiful landscape.

Maroon Bells

The lake was very low when we visited, so we had a lot of rocks exposed that most people do not get to see.

Hikers with San Juan Mountains

Two hikers and a dog can be spotted below the Large San Juan Mountains in the distance.

Road to nowhere

The Great Sand Dunes National Park

High Dunes

High Dunes with San Juan Mountains in the background.

Blowing Sand

Blowing sand hurts when it hits your face, and bad for cameras.

Maroon Bells

I was amazed at the power of the wind as I watched the snow blow off the top of the peaks.

Roaring Fork River

This water's color is amazing and cold! I found out as I slipped off my snow cover rock in the water shortly after taking this image.

Frozen Bear Lake

The hike to Bear Lake was so humorous. We watched as everyone was slipping and sliding their way to see the lake (still in summer). Bear Lake is at 9,450 feet so it was still covered in snow and Ice.