Just Around Town
Week One
March was really surreal. We saw an insane amount of variance in the temperature, and any and all hopes for Colorado’s snowpack were pummeled into dust. At the beginning of the month we got a few showings of snow before seeing record heat waves (hitting up to 90º in March).
This first image was taken near the Standley Lake Library. I was on a call with a friend and noticed this wonderful light – reminiscent of some other pictures from this time of year back in Vermont. I meandered a bit farther just enjoying the weather and on the walk back took a photo of the scene. I’m pleased with how it came out.
This next set of images was taken on a hike about 30 minutes away. In one of the few storms of the year, I wanted to take advantage of it. It was a lovely day for a hike – but the conditions were challenging to photograph.
That difficulty was primarily self inflicted, I had arrived a bit later than I should have when wanting to photograph sunrise, and because of that the compositions I got during the best of the light were rushed. However, in what feels like a bit of a saving grace, I was granted some beautiful mist rolling off the tops of the mountains as the sun began to warm them up after freezing overnight.
Out Of Town
Mid Month
For these next images we travel to California! Our friends were kind enough to host us at their house in Mammoth – and the conditions for skiing were perfect. It was easily the highlight of the 25-26 ski season (though that’s not really saying much).
This image was taken near the base of Chair 23 (pictured). We would end up riding this lift later that day, the top of the mountain near that lift had some of the best powder we’d see all day.
I like this image a lot for the simplicity of it – but equally importantly the sky. I believe the reason it’s so much darker than normal (or even the below image’s sky) is elevation. Standing where we were, we were probably around 10,000 feet above sea level.
This means that the air is thinner which means the sunlight has fewer molecules to reflect off of, giving it the dark blue tones you see.
If that wasn’t incredible enough, only a few dozen miles away you’re in practically a desert. On the morning we were to fly out we hiked out to a well known set of hot springs in the area. It was a beautiful morning, and the water was just as hot as any hot-tub.
Back In Town
Month’s End
Back in Arvada it felt like we were several months ahead of California. Spring had sprung hard. It was an uncharacteristically warm winter and the flowers and trees knew that. All around town trees were blossoming and blooming quickly.
We spent the rest of the month enjoying that bliss of early spring. We took walks, hiked, and began gardening with the hopes of getting a harvest in time for summer. It will be tough considering that we’re already facing water restrictions, but we do what we can.
The final image of the month (that I’m sharing here) came from a dinner we had on the 27th, I cooked some salmon and we had some leftover pasta and potatoes from nights prior. As we were sitting to eat, I thought the scene and moment looked nice. This is a prime example of a still life, and the wonder it can exude.
P.S.
I have a bit extra for you this month. I had written this article on Friday the 27th and didn’t have any plans going into the weekend. But then on Saturday we decided we should go for a hike on Sunday, and these photos are from that morning hike!
We revisited a hike that I’d done back in May 2025 and I finally got to show it to Sophie. It was a great way to get back into hiking after what feels like a few months off (with some snowshoeing sprinkled in).
This final image is potentially my favorite from that morning, I really like the chaotic nature of it and the way that the viewer’s eye is brought into the scene by the log and its branches.
In Summary
What a month.
It was the first time I’ve skied twice in a row in memory, and I’m glad we did, Mammoth was incredible. The photography and weather in Colorado haven’t really been what I’d hope they would but sometimes that’s how it goes. We make due with what we have, not what we want.