I recently started silversmithing classes with master metalsmith Sandy Harris Murphy.

Here is my first creation. I designed this pendant to set off the snowflake-obsidian stone I purchased locally, accented by a “sliver of silver moon.”

The so-called snowflakes are actually ash particles captured in volcanic material, which hardens into the stone we know as obsidian.

I’m enjoying the challenge of mastering an ancient craft, while learning about stones, gemstones, and the many different silversmithing techniques including soldering, annealing, polishing, forging, chainmaking, and even anticlastic raising.

So much to learn! An endless challenge with lots of opportunities for creative expression!

Christmas at The Broadmoor (photo by Patrice)

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season with family and friends!

Mike and I are already getting into the swing of the season, with a wintry hike in Garden of the Gods and drinks with friends at The Broadmoor.

I love living here! Where else can you be in virtual wilderness and, a short time later, sipping cocoa at a 5-star resort?   ;>

Sending warm wishes for a happy holiday season! And here’s to an incredible 2014!

Bristlecone Pine & Pikes Peak (photo by Patrice Rhoades-Baum)

A cooing couple…

I caught these 2 Eurasian collared doves resting together, fluffed up to stave off the cold. Monogamous birds, this contented couple seemed to enjoy each other’s company.  

While mourning doves are native to Colorado, Eurasian collared doves are recent arrivals. Unfortunately, I understand these visitors are negatively impacting the mourning dove population. But this cooing couple was a sweet sight on a wintry day.

Learn more:

Southern Rockies Nature Blog: Notes on the Eurasian collared dove

Colorado Department of Wildlife: Notes on the mourning dove

Deep-blue sky, warm sun, golden leaves. Some autumn days absolutely sparkle. On a whim yesterday, we decided to take a hike in the Garden of the Gods. Our goal was to find golden cottonwoods set against soaring red-rock fins.

We followed a trail up and over the rim of a gleaming-white limestone hogback. While Mike took pictures and noted possible plein air painting locations, I scoured the limestone for ammonite fossils — ancient squidlike sea creatures that lived inside coil-shaped shells. (Learn more at National Geographic’s website.)

Bingo! I found this beauty, tucked behind a scraggly juniper.

With a bit of maneuvering, I was able to crawl under the juniper to get a photo of the ammonite with a view of several vertical fins in the Garden of the Gods. (Look for the fossil in the lower-left corner.)

Next, we wandered over to Rock Ledge Ranch, a living-history museum depicting early pioneer and Indian life in the Pikes Peak region. We made a beeline for the duck pond. For some reason, I love taking pictures of ducks. I must have thousands of duck pix in the “bit bucket”!

A few favorites are below.

While we didn’t find many golden cottonwoods, we did strike gold during our little autumn adventure. 

This photo by Michael Baum

On several occasions, Mike and I have walked around the bend in a trail and nearly bumped into some pretty scary wildlife: a towering bull moose, 3 bull elk standing on the trail, and (also scary) skunks and raccoons. Once, a full-grown mountain lion sauntered in front of me, only 100 feet away. I discovered the meaning of the phrase “your blood runs cold.”

During this summer’s outings, we spotted a bobcat, coyotes, foxes, elk, pronghorn (aka antelope), golden eagle, a cinnamon-colored black bear (in our neighborhood), and the ever-present mule deer. Plus, we encountered both Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and desert bighorn sheep.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Larger and more robust than their desert-dwelling cousins, we spotted this ram with his harem in July on a weekend road trip to Westcliffe, which is southwest of Colorado Springs. The herd was scrambling up a rocky hillside on an overcast, rainy afternoon. Most of my shots are blurry due to distance, rain, and shooting from the middle of the highway.  :>

Desert Bighorn Sheep 

Smaller and more gracile than their mountain neighbors, desert bighorn sheep have adapted to drier climes. Last week, Mike and I camped at Colorado National Monument, located at the western edge of Colorado. With its soaring canyon walls and death-defying ledges, this national monument feels more like Utah than Colorado. I took this shot at sunrise, with canyon walls bathed in a golden glow.

Advice from a Bighorn Sheep, by Ilan Shamir

A fellow member of the National Speakers Association/Colorado chapter, Ilam Shamir built the uber-successful Your True Nature business, which supplies nature-oriented bookmarks (and more) to National Park bookstores. I totally LOVE Ilan’s “Advice from a Bighorn Sheep”: 

“Stand your ground.
Climb to new heights.
Cherish wide open spaces.
Use your head.
Make yourself herd.
Know when to hoof it.
Ewe are what ewe are!”

Click to learn more about bighorn sheep at Colorado’s Department of Wildlife website.

Both bighorn sheep photos by Patrice Rhoades-Baum.
Photo of Patrice by Michael Baum, taken in Colorado National Monument, 2013.

It’s springtime in the Rockies! Today, the hummingbirds arrived, along with several inches of snow. Here is my best picture. Most of my shots are blurry — the little birds are zipping around faster than usual to stay warm!