Boise, Idaho in The Fall

Boise, Idaho -- The City of Trees. During the autumn of the year the trees in and around Boise take on magnificent colors -- brilliant reds, golds, yellows and maroons are displayed in a wonderful array of colors and designs. The most colorful area in the city is Kathryn Albertson Park. A "natural" park which supports various wildlife and many native plants. One can see mallards, wood ducks, blue herons, deer, fox and even beavers in this gorgeous setting. Here are a few photos I've taken in the past week. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

The leaves have turned a brilliant gold,
The vines a glowing red.
Nature shows her finest clothes
Before she goes to bed.
                    Keith Couch

Beautiful Idaho

This past week I spent time camping with friends in eastern Idaho. We set up camp in the Grandview campground at Lower Mesa Falls. It rained heavily the day before and there was still some standing water in the area, but the plants had been scrubbed clean and the smell of the forest was exhilarating.

I learned that there ARE countless stars in the night sky, Bears ARE in the woods and DO visit campsites and I sleep like a baby to the noise of a roaring waterfall.

We chose to drive back through Arco, Challis and Stanley -- all of which afforded great opportunities for photographs.

I've included a few of the more than 650 photos I took. I hope you enjoy them.

Keith

Boise Twilight Criterium

Saturday, July 18th was a very busy day. I attended and photographed the Capital City Public Market in the morning, drove to Idaho City for a photo crawl in the afternoon and returned to Boise in time to photograph the final race of the 2009 Boise Twilight Criterium. I managed to capture some interesting images that day, but this one in particular stands out. It is called Flying Colors, I think you will see why! This officer is clearing the path for the 100 or so bicycle riders who are participating in this race. A Criterium is a bicycle race, held on a closed course -- usually less than 6 km. The weather was hot, 105 degrees and I didn't realize how dehydrated I had become until I ate dinner with a number of my fellow photographers at Trudy's in Idaho City. I must have consumed a dozen glasses of water at the meal even though I carried and drank water through out the day.

Beauty is Everywhere - Just Look!

The joy of being a photographer is to capture images that many people do not see. Many members of society take for granted the beauty that is placed before us each day. Sometimes it is the grandeur of a sunset or the springtime blossoms on the trees that catch our attention, but if we look closely we will see patterns of color and geometric designs everywhere. Looking through the lens of a camera brings me joy and happiness. I hope to share those feelings with you.

Keith

Memorial Day 2009 - Idaho Veterans Cemetary

Memorial Day 2009 was a gloriously sunshine filled day and I chose to visit the Idaho Veteran's Cemetery to pay homage to those who have served our country.

Idaho was one of the last states to set aside land for a veteran's cemetery. Since its opening on Jul 31, 2004 and the first interment on Aug 30, 2004 it has become a very active cemetery.

The ceremony attracted some 500 plus people and was conducted on top of a hill which provides a 360 degree panorama of The Treasure Valley and beyond.

The cemetery is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. I certainly recommend taking the time to walk the grounds and pay tribute to those men and women who have given so much to our country.

I have included several images I captured that morning and would like to share them with you.

 Marine Corp Honor Guard salute the fallen military men and women.

 A Civil War Re-enactment group provides cannons for a 21 gun salute to the fallen.

Idaho in The Spring

Over the Rainbow!

Bruneau Sand Dunes!

Singin' in the Rain!

Nature's Monet.

The weather has been interesting this Spring, with temperature swings of 25 plus degrees during the day and another 30 plus degrees from one day to the next. We sometimes experienced late Winter, early Spring, late Spring and Summer -- all withing a few days. The amount of rain has been above normal and combined with a normal runoff from the snow-pack in the higher elevations, the rivers have been flowing at a very high level with occasional flash floods. Here are some recent photos which were taken on my excursions from the Middle Fork of The Payette in the North to Shoshone Falls and Bruneau Sand Dunes in the South. I hope you enjoy them.