Winter

Snow Covered Spires

The spires of Flattop Mountain as seen approaching Dream Lake are stunning under any circumstances. However, they are nothing but extraordinary in the wake of the season’s first significant snow storm. The mountain exhales the crisp, frigid air glowing under the golden light of the setting sun, surrounded by the brilliance of snow saturated trees and snow pillows.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Winter's Release

Early May at Dream Lake is one of the best times to photograph this popular location, in my opinion. The paper-thin, intricately formed ice subtly clings to the rocks in the shallows, creating an artfully broken reflection of Hallet and Flattop Mountain. Spring is breaking through as winter begins to relent. The melting snowpack is quickly filling the nearby streams to the brim, nurturing the wildflowers still nestled warmly in the grounds of the surrounding banks. The world of black and white, browns and grays will soon give way to a world bursting with color.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Winter Whisper

Newly fallen snow, I’ve learned, has a way of absorbing sound. When it meets windless conditions, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket of pure serenity. The snowflakes themselves become a material experience of peace. Each flake can be heard as it lands softly on my jacket. The world falls so quiet that if you stop and are still for only a moment, you can even hear the sound of your own heartbeat. Insulated from all the usual noise in such an expansive setting unveils a reality of peace in the natural world that settles into my very core. Winter days like this are exceedingly rare, especially on the eastern side of RMNP.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Window into the Past

This image was taken in the southern part of Colorado at a high elevation ghost town. The morning snow makes its way through what roof remains resting on the old windowsill. The air here is cold enough to hold the snow all day, adding a unique detail to the image. Making this photo and walking around the remaining buildings of this town, one can’t help but imagine what it might have been like when this town was first constructed. What were the people like, and what hopes did they hold? One thing is for sure, they enjoyed stunning views of snowcapped mountains.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Winter Solace

An isolated tree dances through a late Winter blizzard. As the external world is drastically simplified so this storm unexpectedly and strangely calms and comforts me deep within. My fears and anxiety are subdued amidst the high winds and rapid snowfall. Enveloped in a wonder chaos of wonder I understand the solace of the tree, making it, if only for this moment my own.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Simple Winter Morning

Standing on the shores of cherry creek reservoir was utterly frigid but breathtakingly beautiful. I lingered for so long and until the layers of ice fog stopped rolling off the lake. My poor old dog who faithfully sat by my side and so silently I forgot he was there. I started to pack up I looked down at his frozen face. It was completely caked in ice, thick around his snout and eyes and looking a bit ghostly - this broke the serenity with laughter as he wagged his tail.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Silver Lace

Each delicate branch is decadently laden with the finest strands of snow, highlighting the intricacies of each tree’s design. Under ordinary circumstances, I could have never begun to appreciate and behold their beauty. I wonder and am fearful to know how many times I’ve missed out on appreciating the glory of those around me because the conditions of my own life had not made it more obvious. Or I had simply not taken the time or put in the effort to notice.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Frozen in Time

A deep freeze on the plains of the Colorado Rockies sculpts an amazing patterns on any moisture it touches. The remains of a lone sunflower held tightly in the grip of winter, rests atop a paper thin but delicately crafted ice mache. On a morning such as this it is hard to believe there can ever be anything else but the desaturated world of winter. Against all odds life anew shall overcome yet again in the Spring as the earth is Renewed once more. The seasons are indeed wonderful bringing with them a balance and order. Teaching familiar but easily forgotten lessons to hearts of those who are attentive.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Just a Few Friends

Winter winds howl at Sprague Lake on an early March morning. As the sun crests over the horizon, blowing snow in the east begins to glow, carrying warmer tones of light captured just on the left edge of the frame. The contrast of cool and warm light on a frigid morning nearing the beginning of spring speaks more than the current temperature would indicate. This group of pines, huddled together and cloaked in a thin coat of snow, encourages each other to hold out for the warmer and calmer days ahead.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Dream Pillows

Air so cold, I watch as the lake water turns to ice before my very eyes. As Dream Lake pulls up its winter blanket, I recompose this scene a few times over the hour, chasing pockets of the reflecting Flattop Mountain. Despite wearing many winter layers, it’s difficult to keep warm. Although this bone-chilling weather causes me pain, I cannot pull myself away from the fullness of the winter’s glory, taking in as much of its splendor as I can. The minutes seem eternal, but the entirety of the experience passes in an instant.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako

Bear's Winter Coat

It is early September, and the first significant snowfall of the year arrives in the high country. Bear Lake and the higher elevations were blanketed with a few feet of snow, which many thought would bring an end to the fall colors before they really began to appear. I fear we have been groomed to want more than we currently have, a constant grasp for more than what is. This is a trap I have fallen into countless times. Settling into this moment and the gift of the present, anxiety is released, and I am free again.

© copyright by Joseph Ondrako