cannon fodder

Bowling balls from the previous mandala were cannon fodder for the hourly cannon shot into Lake Estes, keeping time for the Scottish Highland Games.  I chuckled when I saw the pile, not on a brass monkey - but stacked the same.  

bowling balls

This is a pile of variously colored bowling balls,  They were at the Scottish Highland Games.  I'll leave you in suspense for a day as to why.  

Trail Ridge Visitors Center

While in Estes Park decided to drive up Trail Ridge Road.  This is a picture of the Visitors Center Roof.  The roof has lots of logs because of the tremendous snow load it gets over winter. 

Tuba Reflections original

Reflections in the tuba bell look quite different than the mandala, especially with the green grass instead of the gray background presented above. 

Tuba Reflections

Love the shiny bell of the tuba - you can tell when the end of the marching band is coming.  We were standing at the back of the band on a green field of pipers and military band members, the blue sky, surrounding tents and band members visible in the bell of the tuba.

kilts

One of the things that happen in the fall is the Scottish Highland Games in Estes Park.  With all the various kilt patterns there is plenty of color around.  This person was wearing a red coat that added more color to the mix.

Fall is in the air

Fall is not officially here yet but it is going to feel like it tomorrow with highs in the 70's.  the cottonwood tree next door has been losing leaves regularly over the last couple of weeks.  These landed on my sidewalk. and were sprayed by the sprinkler system.  As they were drying out a halo of moisture formed around them.  The golden leaves are almost translucent.showing the other leaf below.  Enjoy the last days of this long hot summer!

Penstemon

Star shapes appeal to me, this is a close up of a penstemon bloom taken at the Betty Ford Wildflower Gardens in Vail, Colorado.  They are beautiful gardens on a mountain hillside, they constructed a ramp that circulates through the entire garden for handicap accessibility which makes it nice for people who can't climb stairs.