Monthly Archives: August 2019

Grand Mesa, Colorado Adventure

One of the beautiful Grand Mesa lakes 2019 © Stephen Bruno

One of the beautiful Grand Mesa lakes 2019 © Stephen Bruno

One of the beautiful Grand Mesa lakes 2019 © Stephen Bruno

One of the beautiful Grand Mesa lakes 2019 © Stephen Bruno

Last week, after a picturesque drive up the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, I spent several days on the Grand Mesa for the first time since I moved to Cedaredge, Colorado last December. I was celebrating my 71st birthday which I wanted to do in pristine nature with diverse wildlife. It was incredibly beautiful, with numerous lakes and reservoirs surrounded by trees and vast meadows. I stopped at a few of the crystal blue lakes to take some quick photographs mostly with my compact camera.

Black Bear Mug 2019 © Stephen Bruno

My next stop was at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center. I spoke with a well-informed forest ranger about wildlife. She mentioned recently seeing a Black Bear on her hike and of course squirrels and chipmunks, large Mountain Lion tracks, a big Coyote who stood his ground and, Yellow-bellied Marmots. In the past, I have photographed each of those critters, but I have never observed a Yellow-bellied Marmot. I purchased this Black Bear mug at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center as a reminder of my birthday adventure and to contribute toward their work in supporting wildlife.

Alexander Lodge 2019 © Stephen Bruno

I checked into the Alexander Lodge and received the key to my small cabin, The family-owned lodge prepared the cabin several hours early knowing I would arrive before 3 pm check-in.

My Cabin 2019 © Stephen Bruno

After receiving the key to my cabin I unloaded the car and walked to the nearby lake.

Bald Eagle 2019 © Stephen Bruno

I observed a large Bald Eagle flying over Cobbett Lake within walking distance. It was too high to get reasonable photographs and was beautiful to watch it soar higher and higher while looking down towards the water for fish to catch. I was told by a woman from Altitude Outdoor Adventures near the lake that the Bald Eagle visits several lakes periodically and has been observed swooping down and catching large fish from the water.

Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel 2019 © Stephen Bruno

Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel 2019 © Stephen Bruno

I was enchanted by an adorable friendly Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel who was missing one ear. He posed as we connected. Although I was told he was not friendly for most visitors he came out to say hello whenever I was near the lodge. He was one of the highlights of my birthday.

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Forest Trail 2019 © Stephen Bruno

I took a leisurely walk along a trail adjoining Cobbett Lake and I enjoyed being in the cool mountain forest air reveling in the sounds of nature. I did get bitten by a few mosquitoes. I brought some mosquito repellent but never felt the need to use it. I applied a little witch hazel to help with the itching in the evening. I didn’t experience swarms of mosquitoes that have been reported in the Grand Mesa area, and they were more than tolerable. I embrace them as I do all wildlife, and that seems to make a difference.

Yellow-bellied Marmot 2019 © Stephen Bruno

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Six Of My Photography Prints on Display and for Sale at a Cedaredge, CO Gallery

My photography prints for sale at the Appleshed in the High Style NXS, 250 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Unit H, Cedaredge, Colorado. Image 2019 © Stephen Bruno

Recently I was asked to display some of my Fine Art Photography at a gallery in Cedaredge, Colorado. Currently, I have six prints on display for sale.

Three of the prints are wildlife. The other three include blood moon, San Francisco carousel with a creative rendering, and one of my favorites is a hippie sitting at the corner of Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, California.

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My photography prints for sale at the Appleshed in the High Style NXS, 250 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Unit H, Cedaredge, Colorado. Image 2019 © Stephen Bruno

This is the first gallery showing of my photography in many years. The gallery is located in a large building known as the Appleshed, which has a café and wine tasting along with many high-quality galleries of photography.

These prints represent my previous photography style. I knew that when I moved to Colorado and especially in the mountains that I would dramatically change my photography approach and style. Given the geographical area that I now live in, I will continue to photograph diverse wildlife and nature, including lakes, mountains, rivers, and landscape.

I want to photograph subjects that stimulate curiosity, emotions, and wonderment. This includes people in nature, wildlife and birds in action, and trees and flowers from an unusual perspective, and much more.

I am a wildlife, nature, and humanitarian photographer living in the small charming mountain town of Cedaredge, Colorado. I teach aspiring wildlife photographers on how to respect and photograph wildlife without intrusion. I photograph to be surprised and delighted. For over fifty years, I continue to embrace the essence of each wildlife in my images! People tell me that I photograph with an artist’s eye. I believe that it comes from my naturalist’s heart.