Saturday, May 31, 2008

Barrier Lake Dam, take 2

I've got more "hooky" photos coming, but I had to post a shot from today's hike.

Less than three weeks ago, I visited Barrier Lake Dam, and took this shot of the late thaw and all the snow that remained despite the warm weather:




Here's Barrier Lake Dam today, 19 days later:



To quote Kramer from Seinfeld... "Mother Nature is a maaaad scientist!"

16 comments:

Michele said...

Amazing difference but just as beautiful and serene. The colors are still as spectacular with or without snow! But that melting explains the rushing rivers below in the valleys... such a gorgeous photo, Michelle!

Suzanne said...

What a difference a few weeks makes. Nature is indeed miraculous.

Suzanne said...

What a difference a few weeks makes! Quite miraculous.

Michelle said...

Michele, you wouldn't be surprised to know that area was one of the ones that flooded last week (it was already closed at the time due to a bear in the area). There was plenty of evidence of flood damage to the trails, but it was surprisingly dry.

Suzanne, I shouldn't be surprised by these things, but I am. I'm always amazed by how quickly things "green" up, even when snow was recently on the ground. I know us humans don't seem to endure a late thaw nearly as well!!

James Dziezynski said...

Beauty... makes me miss BC. Mind if I add your blog to my blogroll (I'm at www.mountainouswords.com/blog)

Michelle said...

Hi James, thanks for saying hi! I'd be flattered if you added me and I'll definitely add you as well. I like your site, and now I have to add Colorado to my list of "must hikes". Great. ;-)

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

What a difference! Amazingly beautiful scenery either way!

Anonymous said...

Your images are breath-taking. They remind me of the value of reconnecting with nature, listening to the power of silence, and going deeper within the soul.

Michelle said...

Sandpiper, I think it's next to impossible to take a bad photo there!

Liara, that is so true. And Barrier Lake is one of my favorite spots in the world to do that.

Shelley said...

I loved seeing the contrast - both offer amazing views!

Cheryl said...

Fabulous photographs......the difference in a few weeks is amazing......stunning scenery.

Michelle said...

Shellmo and Cheryl...thanks! I couldn't get over how different it looked in less than three weeks. I think now I have an excuse to get out there more often... it's scientific..... :-)

Jackie said...

Gorgeous, but it sure looks cold! The temperatures must rise rapidly and drastically for such a rapid melt.

Michelle said...

Zhakee, I was very surprised when I dipped my hands in the water after the hike. It was cold, but not ice cold, more like tap water. That's unusual.

I don't think it was so much the temperature as it was the late thaw. That much snow that is unusual in May... usually it's cleared out by mid-April!

Of course, we're under flood warning yet again this weekend, so you know where it's all going!

Marvin said...

What a dramatic difference! I think our weather/climate is getting stranger and stranger.

Michelle said...

Marvin - there's definitely something going on... we're working on our 3rd "flood of the century" in about 13 years! Ok, it's not bad, but the climate does seem a little more *intense* this season.