October 14, 2012

Golden Cottonwoods

We ride toward the painted hills on the rim of Diamond Plateau, 2500 feet above our starting point on the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument.
Cottonwood gold makes water sources easy to find this time of year.  In this case, the strip of gold grows along an aptly named Cottonwood Springs.
Coco enjoys his water, even when there's not much to be had.
At Boone Springs, he greedily slurps his fill from an old cow trough.
Mature deer don't grow very big in this dry country, judging by the size of these antlers.
A photo stitch taken from an overlook shows the Green River meandering through Island Park.  This two square mile horseshoe shaped curve of the river was first named by the Wesley Powell Expedition that passed through this area in the late 1860's.  Island Park is a popular launch location for rafters beginning a float through Split Mountain.
Poor Daisy had to stay home.  No dogs are allowed in the National Monument, more's the pity.

23 comments:

  1. Oh My Goodness---First, the Aspens... Now the Cottonwoods... I've never seen a Cottonwood I don't think... That will be on my list now...Gorgeous.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. There are three Cottonwoods at the camp where we spend our summer vacation. I don't think I have seen them anywhere else, and certainly not in the autumn. Beautiful photos!

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  3. The glove at the base of the antlers is a gas, and the panorama of the river valley is breathtaking. Thanks again for sharing the West through your pictures!

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  4. Remarkable how the cottonwood trees mark where the water is.

    Glad you are wearing blaze orange and are rule followers.

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  5. There is such contrast between the red rock and gold aspen.

    So you can bring your horse but not your dog? That sounds like the rules along the cross canyon trail. Hmmm.... Poor Daisy.

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  6. Gosh that country's looking pretty, Janie! But, I do miss Daisy's gold in the photos.

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  7. That's my ideal place to go for horse riding. I will go there someday! thanks Janie for sharing this photos.

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  8. Beautiful country out there Janie, and so very interesting.

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  9. Enchanting country and captivating colours !

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  10. I'm sorry Daisy had to miss this beautiful ride. I didn't realize cottonwoods had such a beautiful golden color in autumn.

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  11. I don't think there was enough water for Daisy to play in anyway. :)
    The skies are gorgeous!

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  12. I'd like to flyfish the Green River country sometime. Beautiful country. I don't have a clear memory of what part I saw some years ago but we were on our way from the Tetons south and then

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  13. Gorgeous golden color, especially in your panorama image! Sorry to hear that Daisy wasn't allowed to go. She probably would have enjoyed paddling around in the cow trough! ;-)

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  14. That's a pretty shot of the national Park.

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  15. gorgeous! as usual.
    how do you know the antlers are from a mature deer?
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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  16. lovely landscape......!!!

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in

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  17. awesome ride! And again, makes me a little jealous and miss the Western States big time. Beautiful! and so much fun!

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  18. Pretty photos!! Still looks warmish, too.

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  19. I'm always glad to stop by and see this gorgeous scenery.

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  20. What a lovely place.
    Like that photostitch.

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  21. Beautiful photographs, fantastic fairy-tale views. I am greeting

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  22. Simply stunning pictures! Thanks for sharing this with us.

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