Zebralawn

I'll never understand why people buy and use drop spreaders for fertilizing their lawns. Though in fairness, this colorful display of lemon-lime stripeyness only became apparent as the weather got cooler. Still, a broadcast spreader is less expensive, easier to use (IMO), and gives an even feeding. At least this hapless suburban farmer didn't go over it again a second time at right angles to the first pass - that ends up providing a festive plaid look.

Hobbit Hole

This prarie dog made its hole under a sage. Probably keeps his home smelling prarie sweet.

Likable Lichen

I like lichen. I'm sure this likable lichen would like to like you too.

Road to El Dorado

A dirt track pointing more-or-less in the direction of Ed Dorado canyon, which is in that gap where the front range mountains dip down and touch the ground, revealing the snow-capped peaks of the continental divide.

Love Life

A picnic-bench philosophy that's hard to argue with. Though the cannabis leaf makes me wonder if the love of life they're feeling is perhaps a little forced. Then again, the glass of shiraz in my belly argues persuasively that it might not be.

Didn't Get the Memo

Dude, see what everyone else is wearing? You must not have got the memo about the Fall dress code.

Energy

All that remains of summer's frenetic energy.

Inspiration for Roger Dean?

The edges where the lake undermines the shore give rise to these fantastic shaped miniature landscapes that somehow remind me of the psychedelic artwork of Roger Dean.

Sundog

He came running then stopped, posing just long enough for this photo, then ran off, resuming his original mission.

Waterwall

It'll be fun, someday, when smart materials allow us to create walls that exactly mimic the ripples of a lake coming to shore but vertically, on the wall.

Dried Lakeweed

Don't know what to call this - a tangled mat of seaweed? I don't think "lakeweed" is right, since that term applies to a specific plant (water pepper). Whatever. I like the jumble and wonder how hard it would be to untangle the whole mess.

Timing is everything

Sadly enough, for this tenacious bindweed sprout - its timing couldn't possibly have been any worse. But then again, it also ended up sprouting below the high-water mark, violating the first law of real estate - location...location...location.

Front-Row Seat

The small bench appears perfectly positioned for a solo audience to grand cloudscape dances. (One of the many cool things about Colorado is the awesome variety of clouds we get, owing to the unusual airflow after passing over the mountains).

Life on the Edge

This cottonwood has the mixed fortune of having grown right next to the high-water mark of the lake, causing it to spread huge, trunk-sized roots sideways.

First Ice

Here it is, the middle of November, and we're only just now seeing temperatures low enough at night to start icing over shallow water.

Hippie and Dwarf

It's interesting that the Woodstock icon has become a part of costume lore on a par with witches, goblins and dwarves.

Halloween Decoration

Some people decorate the outside of their home for Halloween and some set out decorations on the inside. Laurel set this metal Jack-o-Lantern and some fall leaves on the kitchen counter, along with some decorative gourds and a wicker cornucopia.

Blaze

Mike's cat, Blaze, impeccably dressed in her favorite Halloween costume, showing her sly look.

Laurel helping get Mike ready

Mike is a very tall 15-year-old who, despite Laurel's scolding that he's really too old to be going out, still went trick-or-treating with his buddies.

Trick-or-treat

In the US, children dress in costume and go door to door saying "trick or treat", expecting candy. Just for fun, we gave out 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola. The little kids eyes really light up when they see that instead of a small piece of chocolate.

Trick-or-treat

More candygrubbers.