Saturday, March 8, 2014

Interesting Rock Formations in My Neighborhood

On a recent morning walk, I took some photos of some of the interesting rock formations near our home.  Since I was a child, my imagination has always been activated when I look at rock formations.  In Colorado, we certainly have a lot of famous rock formations.  The Kissing Camels in the Garden of the Gods come to mind.  Perhaps this is why I grew up naming the outcroppings that dot various parts of Colorado.  Last week, without really looking for anything in particular, I happened to see an interesting formation across the road from where we were walking.  Can you see what I saw?

Here is another shot of the same hillside.  Can you see the horse head?  It is a palomino (orange or gold) color, and is located in the center of the photo below.  (I only had my iPhone with me.  I will have to try to get a shot of this on another day.)


Just up the road, from the horse head, I found the perfect spot for a photo shoot.  Jim and Boston posed in front of this rock which is actually right on the corner of a block in the subdivision near where we live.  A house is right behind the rock.  I could probably fool you into thinking we were out in the mountains somewhere when this photo was taken.  


The area where we live has many of these outcroppings of rock.  Their unique shapes have fascinated me since childhood.  Some describe various rocks such as the rock below, as mushroom rocks.  I call this one a table top rock.  This particular rock is located about a block and half from our house on the hillside next to a public park.

Boston, usually on a leash, gets a bit of freedom in the park since no other people or dogs are around on the day we took our walk.  He soon found his favorite rock and perched himself upon it. 


Before long, he was off running into the play area of the park.  I walked along at a more leisurely pace and continued to study the rocks on the hillside.  Up on the top of the hillside, in the middle of the trees, I thought I saw a coyote.  Or was it a rock?  Can you see it?  The formation is near the center of the photo between the trees.  I really could not tell at first if I was seeing a live animal or a rock formation.  After moving my position a few times, I could clearly see it was a rock.  (I told you I have a vivid imagination.)

I have my favorite formations near my home.  This one is an outcropping at the end of my block.


Here is another shot of this rock.  I keep thinking that perhaps the grandchildren and I will walk up here and spread out a tablecloth and have lunch on the top of this rock someday.


One evening this past fall, I ran outside to try and capture a beautiful sunset.  I was too late to get the shot I wanted, but I thought this one was quite nice anyway.

As I leisurely walked home with my camera in hand, I notice a small herd of deer nearly hidden from my view as they grazed in hillside grass at dusk.  My shots of the deer were unsuccessful.  As I tried to get a shot of the animals, I noticed the sight below in my viewfinder.  I didn't notice this interesting nighttime scene with my naked eye.  Do you see that giant cat sitting next to the tree?  (Do you ever see things differently through the viewfinder of your camera?)
I am quite frustrated by blogger right now.  The photo I took at night of this formation is quite dark and spooky.  I can't seem to post it without blogger correcting the light on it.  Any ideas on why this happened?  My photo is very dark with black shadows.  This photo below is nothing like my original photo.

I'd hate to see this huge black cat on Halloween night.  I thought the figure was a bit scary looking.  
The next day, I went back to the same spot to get a photo of this same rock in daylight.  I think she, yes, this rock is a she, is a beautiful marmalade colored cat.  (Jeanie, of The Marmalade Gypsy, this rock is for you!) To the rest of you, this formation may look like a rock, but to me, she is the cat that protects the neighborhood.  
Here is a daytime shot of my two favorite rocks grouped together. 
  

You may think I live out in the woods.  The beauty of the place where I live is that the woods surround me.  I can be walking in the most beautiful peaceful surrounding within minutes of leaving my house.   After I gaze upon my beautiful rock table and cat rock at the end of my block, I can turnaround and head down the road toward home.  


This photo was taken last fall.  My home is the first one you see on the right.  The porch light is on.  The red truck bed is just to the right of my home.  This photo was taken one half block from the photo of the cat rock.  
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the interesting sights in my neighborhood. 

33 comments:

  1. You really live in a beautiful town, Sally. It's so interesting to see all the different rock formations. The table rock is my favorite.

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  2. Great landscape and beuatiful

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  3. It really does look like you are out in the wilderness and not just steps from your lovely housing development. That was a fun rock tour!

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  4. Definitely a palomino horse head and coyote .. I see them immediately.
    I find it hard to believe the bottom photo is in the same neighbourhood as the rest of the photos! What an amazing place. Is that snow or sand near the rock with Boston the dog sitting on it?

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  5. Wonderful Sally. Your neighborhood looks so warm and inviting. As to the rocks my track record is not very good. I was unable to identify the mountain that Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea called the Beaverhead in Montana. Though I do better with clouds...:)

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  6. Boy, you could have convinced me you were out in the wilderness! Interesting formations, nice rock animals.

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  7. These are beautiful, Sally. And fascinating, too! As soon as I saw the first photo of the tabletop rock I thought "What a great place for a party -- bring food, a tablecloth -- a regular buffet table!" I was excited when later in the post I saw you were thinking the same way! And yes, I see what you mean by seeing the animals in the posts -- especially that one by the trees.

    I don't know what the blogger problem is -- I've never had that happen to me before.

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  8. Your rock formations are truly beautiful and mysterious. Yes, that is definitely a cat! I remember reading or hearing somewhere about Blogger having some new setting that "fixes" your photos but can be opted out of. I'm not sure where it is, though. Some investigation might be in order. Thanks for the tour of your beautiful neighborhood, Sally.

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  9. I need to walk up there with you. When I went with Mason and Hannah last year they had me climbing around very narrow paths and steep inclines. Scary!

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  10. This is beautiful territory--very different from the east. You must feel so close to heaven.

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  11. Dear Sally, I'm so glad that you put the scene in perspective for us by showing us the street with your home and your neighbors' homes. Living there must be stuff a treat because nature is all around you. And yes, I saw the horse and the coyote and the cat---and of course the "picnic" tables. Peace.

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  12. What a beautiful place you have for your walks. I could definitely see the animals in the formations (but maybe because you told me what to look for). I hope you do have a picnic on the tabletop rock and I hope you show us pictures.

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  13. I definitely see the coyote and the cat. In fact, had I been a youngster and seen that cat, I'd have run all the way home.
    How lovely that you have wilderness so close. Best of all worlds.

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  14. Very unique rock formations and close by make them convenient for great pix!...:)JP

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  15. That certainly did look like a coyote to me! And even if Blogger changed your photo, I was convinced the rock in the night photo was a cat.

    Although there are some areas in Illinois where there are interesting rock formations, there are none where I live--just endless flat corn fields:) So I really do enjoy seeing such sights; one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen has to be Sedona, Arizona.

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  16. I loved the tour of your neighborhood and immediate surroundings, Sally! It's all so beautiful -- and fascinating to see familiar shapes in the rock formations! What great walks you must have through this place of natural wonders!

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  17. Interesting rocks, for sure! Glad you took us along on your walks, and glad you pointed out how close to habitations the rock formations are. Do you have any trouble with wild life attacking pets?

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  18. Beautiful neighborhood!

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  19. Dear Sally, I think one of the perfect things about living in CO is that we are so close to Nature, even when we live in towns and cities. Your rugged, rocky landscape is very beautiful. I, too, often see shapes in rocks and trees. Though we are still under feet of snow here in Breck, the days are getting warmer, and I'm on the lookout for bear waking from the long sleep. Your landscape looks like prime real estate for the mountain lion, too! I see you have no snow on the ground - perhaps spring will come on time to you. Hope you're feeling better.

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  20. I knew you lived in a beautiful area, but these rocks are amazing! They seem to have been pushed up from the earth by mighty forces, and now they just sit there looking inviting. Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Such a fascinating post with fabulous pictures. I could see the golden palomino; once I'd spotted it, it stood out really clearly! And I love your road.

    CJ x

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  22. The first rock is definitely a T-rex! I love the mushroom too. Great pictures Sally!
    Blessings, Joanne

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  23. Sally, I wrote a LONG comment for this post a day or 2 ago. Maybe it didn't go through? Anyway, will just say have a great road trip. Yes, town is busy - these spring breakers have taken over!

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  24. Oh, I love these rock formations!What a beautiful area you call home. Yes, I did spot the horse's head, easily.

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  25. Such a beautiful post Sally. So nice to be surrounded by such beauty. The formations so near must be endlessly fascinating, and I see what you mean by capturing them in the different lights.
    Seems like you must be feeling better. I'm joining that club too....finally.
    We leave for the Bahamas a week from today. Cannot wait.
    Take care....

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  26. What a beautiful and interesting place to live. The rock formations are wonderful. Thanks for sharing it via your photos.

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  27. Those rocks do make for great photo ops. Love that you picked up the cat's eyes but am also glad it was not the wild kind that can be found in forests and around rocks.
    Keep safe my dear Sally.

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  28. Even urban spots have a lot to offer for those who take the trouble to see.

    A very interesting lot of rocks. It must have been an exciting landscape before the houses were built.

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  29. Those rock formations are really breath taking. The cat ones are quite scary on a dark night I should think.
    The thing that strikes me on all the day photos is the beautiful blue sky that we don't often see here!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  30. Your connection to nature is one of the many things I love about you. Funny reading this after we spent yesterday hiking among rock formations much different but just as appealing as yours. Beauty is everywhere, especially in your heart and in this piece.

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  31. Nice to see all your pictures. I too love to see different shapes in the rock which is made naturally. Love the house in the top rock and also the mushroom like rock.

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  32. I saw the head of the horse right away – what a great area for you to take a walk with the dog. It certainly looks like you are in mountainous surroundings.

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  33. A fascinating post, Sally, and I love the views of your impressive scenery. The table rocks are particularly atmospheric and very different from any landscape I'm familiar with.

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