This weekend was the annual Chalk Arts Festival held in Larimer Street and adjacent streets. This artist was working on a piece sponsored by the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 1.
Here is a close-up shot of some of the detail of his image.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 3.
I like to capture some close up images of the artist himself.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 2.
The afternoon sun was very strong, that leads to some intense colors and deep shadows.
Chalk Arts, Painting The Detail, Color.
Some boxes full of chalk…
Chalk, In Boxes.
The afternoon sun was shining directly into the street. Also, light was reflected of nearby office building windows. This young lady was obviously feeling the heat, but I could not resist making an image of her pretty face.
Young Artist.
This couple were found taking a break from the sun in the shade.
Taking A Break From The Sun.
Entertainment was provided by a jazz band, “Sol Burial”
Sol Burial, Vocalist.
Their sax player played some really awesome saxophone solos during their final set on the stage.
Sol Burial, Sax Player.
Here is the bass player soloing, while the drummer and sax player look on.
This week, I headed downtown to make some images of the bridges along the South Platte River. After leaving the house, the afternoon storms arrived, bringing rain to the metro area. This made me excited for the opportunity of capturing some stormy weather and perhaps some great light at sunset. Soon after arriving at Union Station, the rain had stopped. This image was made at the Millennium Bridge as I headed towards the river.
Storm Over Millennium Bridge.
Unlike previous trips, I headed north along the river, switching from the left and right river banks. This path was a perfect lead-in to the apartment block in the distance.
Path To Apartment Block.
During the late afternoon, the sun broke through the clouds several times. When making my way to the right bank, the sun lit up this iris that was growing along the riverside
Iris And Bridge Pillar.
There were some interesting bridges, both old and new, that had been constructed over the river. This is bridge “XXXVII”. Was it built in 1937? This bridge had several pillars and carried several pipes across the river.
Bridge XXXVII On The South Platte.
Continuing north, the path passed under this newer bridge, with several large concrete bridge pillars.
Bridge And Blue Sky.
I continued farther for about another half mile or so before heading back, passing under this same bridge again. By this time the storm started moving back again, creating some more interesting skies.
Bridge And Four Lights.
Eventually, I got back near Riverfront Park, where I stopped at the skateboard park to make this image.
Bowl In Skateboard Park.
I noticed the stone construction, that I discovered was called “Common Grounds”. In this image, several young ladies had met at the bottom of the steps.
Visitors At Common Grounds.
A few minutes later, the sun came out again, lighting up the wall. The contrast of the sunlit wall against the stormy sky resulted in a spectacular image.
Sunset And Storm At Common Grounds.
Soon after arriving at Union Station, the sun had set behind the clouds for the rest of the evening. Checking with my phone, I discovered that I had walked some 5-1/2 miles along the river! Watching the late news, we discovered that the storm had caused extensive rain and hail storms, with five tornadoes in the eastern plains.
Continuing from the abandoned farmhouse, I headed farther east until I reached the town of Agate. Outside the town is an abandoned grain elevator that I previously visited, but later in the summer months.
Abandoned Grain Elevator.
There are several steel grain silos at this site. One can create interesting images with overlapping layers, as in this composition.
Grain Silo Ribbing.
Here is another grain elevator image.
Abandoned Grain Elevator, No 2.
Here is another image of overlapping silos, with bright springtime grasses
Grain Silos, Bushes And Grasses.
There is also a green tank close by. Don’t know what it use it served. However, the rust and that red valve creates a great color contrast.
Green Tank And Valve.
Finally, I made the following image of the older concrete grain silos. While making images at this location, several pigeons flew out of these buildings; they had made the buildings their home.
Concrete Grain Silos, Agate.
Leaving Agate, I headed back west towards home, along several dirt roads that crisscross the eastern plains. Along one of these roads I stopped to make some images at this pond at the roadside.
Reflections And Grasses In A Ranch Pond.
The grasses floating on the surface of the pond complement the reflections of the trees in the water.
Yesterday, I headed out to the Eastern Plains along I-70. Close to Agate, I noticed abandoned farm houses that I had not seen before. Facing the silo was an office chair!
Chair And Silo.
I explored the area around the abandoned buildings.
Abandoned Farm House Near Agate.
Nearby is a barn that had been used by cattle at some point in the past. Turds littered the ground!
Abandoned Barn Near Agate.
Approaching the silo, I made this image, including the straps that somehow managed to keep the concrete wall together
Silo Straps.
In this final image, I included the chair in the grass in a composition with the abandoned farm building at the back.
At work, we have had two Canada Goose families nesting around the office block for the last month. Monday this week, Mother Goose was strutting around the roof of the annex building with three goslings. Like last year, we set about rescuing the geese, making sure that they could reach water.
Goslings were loaded into a box and lowered from the roof. Here is Colleen unloading the babies.
Colleen Unloading Goslings.
The goslings were wandering around. Here one can get an idea of their size in comparison to ladies foot size!
Three Rescued Goslings.
After a couple of minutes both parents eventually figured out where their babies were.
Goose Family Group.
The family group were hanging around, without making a move from the base of the annex building.
Tom And Hema With Geese.
Minutes later, they were still hanging around…
Mother And Goslings.
We decided to encourage the family group to get moving. Some of the babies were carried along the parking lot and across the road. Here they were released on the grass.
Mother And Goslings, Walking To The Pond.
Another parking lot to cross…
Goose Family Crossing The Parking Lot.
… and down to the water’s edge. Both parents entered the pond, and the babies followed.
Goslings Entering The Pond.
As soon as they hatch, the goslings can walk, and they also know how to swim.
Swimming Away.
Here is the family group.
Goose Family In The Pond.
That was a fun half hour before we started our work day.
Yesterday was a fabulous spring day, so I spent a couple of hours along the South Platte River at the end of the day. Heading out across the pedestrian bridge, I found this biker, wearing an orange jersey, stopped astride his bike on the bridge.
Biker On Bridge.
Canada Geese are a common sight in the metro area at this time of the year. By now, many female geese have been sitting on their nests for several days, or a couple of days, with their male partner somewhere close by. I don’t know if this is a male partner or a younger immature goose.
Canada Goose By The Platte River.
Farther down stream, I found mother goose on her nest. The nest turned out to be some blankets on the concrete bridge supports. I met another couple walking along the river and stopped to chat for a while. They mentioned that this was the second year that this goose nested in this location. They were curious as to how the chicks would make their way down to the water. “Maybe they jump?”, I suggested.
Mother Goose On Nest On The Bridge.
American Robins were found scratching around the undergrowth along the riverside. This flew up to perch on a fence, allowing me to make this image.
American Robin On Fence.
About this point, it was time to head back to the car. Facing the other direction, the sun was aligned with the river. I could see the spring colors reflected from the river in this more abstract image.
Reflected Spring Colors In South Platte River.
There were several Canada Geese along the river. This pair allowed me to get pretty close. I made several images of this pair, buy like this one as they look out across the river.
Pair Of Geese, Looking Out Over The River.
Recently the swallows returned for the summer. I heard this swallow above me. Looking up, I noticed that it was a Barn Swallow sitting on the cable strung across the river.
Barn Swallow On Cable.
This female Mallard was accompanied by a male. In previous years, I’ve always noticed baby Mallard chicks on the water way after the geese hatch. Maybe Mallards mate later than geese?
Female Mallard On Rock.
It was fun to enjoy the spring day and see the birds enjoying the day too! The geese along this stretch of the river always seem to have a smile.
The G-Line finally opened to Arvada and Wheatridge this weekend. On a whim, I decided to try the free rides on this new line. Fortunately, this afternoon there were no long lines to check out the new line. It was windy this afternoon, with snow and rain in the forecast for the start of the week. Probably discouraged people from riding today!
I rode from Union Station to the end of the line at Wheatridge. It was amazing to see how large the metro area has grown. The first part of the journey was past the existing railroad and marshaling yards in Denver. At the end of the line, I waited for the return train and got off at Olde Town Arvada.
Track Bone Sculpture, Old Town Arvada.
Although I have passed through Arvada in years past, I had never been to Olde Town. Outside the station is the “Track Bone” sculpture, that was carved from red granite that I captured above. Wandering around, I found this lady waiting by the sculpture and included her in the composition.
Waiting By The Track Bone.
During the next half hour or so, I meandered through the streets exploring the area. One restaurant patio was enclosed with plastic sheeting, that provided some interesting distorted reflections of the street.
Plastic Sheet Window, Arvada.
Exploring farther, I found an inevitable mural that was partially lit by the evening sunlight. Clouds moved through the sky and, after a few minutes, provided softer lighting for this simple mural.
Olde Town (Arvada).
Returning back to the station, the setting sun passed through gaps in the Track Bone, that I captured in the following image.
Track Bone Light.
On the top surface of the Track Bone, the red granite has been polished to a mirror-like finish. This allows some reflections to be made.
Track Bone Granite Reflections.
After waiting some 10 minutes, another train arrived for the return trip to Union Station.
G-Line, Arriving At Arvada.
People have been waiting for a long time for the G-Line to open — two years. I overheard several folks who are now happy that the line is open.
Th weather cast for yesterday (Easter Sunday) called for clouds and rain. After a cloudless sky in the early morning, the cloud bank and cold front could be seen over the mountains. This promised to be be good weather for making some images of murals in the Rino District. Soon after I arrived, the clouds moved in, removing harsh shadows in the alleys. The twin towers of the Dry Ice Factory caught the sun, creating a great contrast against the dark clouds.
Dry Ice Factory Towers And Approaching Storm.
The streets and alleys of the Rino District is home to many murals. These can change frequently as mural artists work their magic during the year. This is one mural that I had not seen before. I like the streaks of paint that slid down the wall, partially covering the yellow undercoat.
Yellow Streaked Wall, Tree And Window.
Many of the buildings are relatively new and have many interesting architectural features. The hex panels of this building hide some the stairs behind.
Hex Panels And Stairs.
This image appears to be incomplete. I don’t know whether the artist will be doing more work on the portrait below. It is amazing how the few brush strokes in the alley, create an interesting and expressive face
Portrait Mural Outline.
I found an interesting doorway that was painted a matt black color. The steel-work of the gateway was partially painted in pink, to create a dramatic contrast against the black.
Pink And Black Gate.
A short distance away is another gate or fence that includes a 3-D element of the sculpture with the mural.
Mural And Sculpture In Alley.
In one of the alleys behind the Central Market, is one area that I have visited several times in the past. Apart from the stunning murals in this section, I like the arrangement and neat installation of the conduits in front of the murals.
Mural And Conduits In The Alley.
A gusty wind started up, with some spots or rain, so I decided to head back the car. Along the way, I found these four barrels
Four Barrels.
Farther along, I noticed a building with peeling stucco over brickwork — a local pot shop — I soon discovered.
Brick And Peeling Stucco.
Finally, I had parked across the road from a mural of an airplane against this stunning blue wall.
Blue Wall And Airplane In The Sky.
That’s all the images for now. It never did get to rain during the day, with the weather clearing later in the afternoon. However, during the night we did get some light rain.
