tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:07:14 +0000PhotosHikingSummerBirdsSpringFlowersTexasWinterMammalsFallInsectsColoradoSunriseJefferson CountyTarynSunsetReflectionsWaterfallsZakGreat Texas Wildlife TrailsFoliageReptilesRocky Mountain National ParkLarimer CountyDenton CountyBoulder CountyGunnison CountyClear Creek CountyDouglas CountyCrested ButteDanelleUNESCO World Heritage siteUtahGinnyDallas CountyEllis CountyGalveston CountySportsTarrant CountyWyomingEcuadorGalápagos IslandsGalápagos Islands National ParkConcertsIrelandArizonaNew MexicoResponsibilityChatfield State ParkPanoramicSummit CountyGrayson CountyHagerman NWRThe '80sArapahoe CountyFloridaRoxborough State ParkSilhouetteSnowshoeingWashington14ersAlaskaCaliforniaEl Paso CountySouth Platte ParkYellowstone National ParkCosta RicaGodGrand CountyGrand Teton National ParkIcelandMassachusettsOklahomaAlamosa CountyArches National ParkCastleDadFoodGiving BackMushroomsRainbowRantsSelf-IndulgenceSouth DakotaWildflowersAdams CountyAmphibiansBadlands National ParkBig Bend National ParkBrewster CountyFogGermanyGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkGuatemalaHealthPark CountyReviewsRocky Mountain Arsenal NWRRuinsTeller CountyBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkBryce Canyon National ParkFranceGlacier National ParkListsMontanaMoviesOlympic National ParkShenandoah National ParkVirginiaArkansasBosque del Apache NWRCape CodChambers CountyDenver CountyFishMontaineMontrose CountyTennesseeWaterton CanyonAnahuac NWRDeath Valley National ParkDenver BroncosEagle CountyFrench PolynesiaGrand Canyon National ParkJoshua Tree National ParkMomNebraskaPuerto RicoReflectionSaguaro National ParkShortcomingsSkaWhite Sands National ParkWichita Mountains NWRZion National ParkBanks of the SeineBaseballCapitol Reef National ParkCarlsbad Caverns National ParkCollegeDawnEverglades National ParkFireworksFishboneFlorissant Fossil Beds NMGarden of the GodsGilpin CountyGreat Sand Dunes National ParkHinsdale CountyIndie RockLake CountyMonomoy NWRMoonNeighborsNew WaveNightNorth CarolinaOhioSoccerTrailMarkAcadia National ParkArtBasketballBiscayne National ParkBlessingsBlogsBoston Red SoxBurnet CountyChaffee CountyCollin CountyCulberson CountyCuyahoga Valley National ParkDenver Botanic Gardens at ChatfieldEddy CountyFestivalsFootballGarfield CountyGreat Basin National ParkGuadalupe Mountains National ParkHorsesHot Springs National ParkHunt CountyKenai Fjords National ParkKids TVKillarney National ParkMaineMcLennan CountyMesa Verde National ParkMineral CountyMoneyMonte Vista NWRMontezuma CountyNanaNevadaNorthern IrelandNueces CountyOuray CountyParker CountyPetrified Forest National ParkPetsPitkin CountyPokemonRadioReality TVRoadside NoveltySan Juan CountySan Juan National Historical SiteSan Miguel CountySkillsSmith CountySomervell CountyThe '90sThe NetherlandsTiger WoodsTitus CountyUrbanAbstractAntigua GuatemalaAnxietyAppleAransas CountyAransas NWRArchitectureArchuleta CountyAstronomyAstrophotographyB.B. KingBaca CountyBand AidBandera CountyBeatlesBonfils Blood CenterBrazoria CountyBrazoria NWRBrett FavreBroomfield CountyBrú na BóinneCaddo Lake NWRCanadaCanyonlands National ParkCelebritiesCheatingChronicles of NarniaCologne CathedralColorado NMColorado RockiesComic BooksCover songsDallas CowboysDevils Tower NMDisneyDreamsDry Tortugas National ParkDungeness NWRDungeons and DragonsEl Morro NMExaminer.comFencingGateway Arch National ParkGeekinessGeorge CarlinGiant's CausewayGlacier Bay National ParkGolfHardy BoysHarrison CountyHockeyIlluminate WorkshopsIndianaIndiana Dunes National ParkInspirational MusicIntroductionIvan RodriguezJazzJerry SeinfeldJohn HughesJulie AndrewsKISSKaufman CountyKentuckyKevin GarnettLakeLeBron JamesLittle River NWRMagic: The GatheringMamawMammoth Cave National ParkMarae TaputapuateaMarillionMatt MauckMeat LoafMesa CountyMexicoMighty Mighty BosstonesMike AndersonMike PiazzaMill Network at Kinderdijk-ElshoutMissouriMoffat CountyMonster BallMountain BikingMueller State ParkNamesNesteaNew River Gorge National ParkNew YorkNew York YankeesOlympicsOrgan Mountains-Desert Peaks NMPhotsPoliticsProgressive RockProwers CountyRandall CountyRifle Falls State ParkRod SmithSaguache CountySaturday Night LiveScooby-DooSt. Vrain State ParkStar TrekStar WarsStrasbourg – Grande îleStuffStyleSwimmingTechnologyTeethTennisThe Rock of SouthwestTheme ParksThingvellir National ParkTivoToysUpper Middle Rhine ValleyUvalde CountyVacationsValles Caldera NPVatnajökull National ParkVermontVideo GamesWeld CountyWest VirginiaWind Cave National ParkWise CountyWorkshopiTunesPhotos from one guy's travels around the world -- from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to national parks to his own backyard in Colorado, and lots of places in between.http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)Blogger894125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-7376629987289860548Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:07:14 +00002026-06-02T19:07:14.631-07:00BirdsColoradoHikingJefferson CountyPhotosReptilesSpringWildflowersMy hike to Elk Falls made me optimistic that there was more water still to be seen.  I decided to give Cheesman Canyon a shot and see how the South Platte River was doing. Good news.  The river was doing quite well. :)There weren't too many wildflowers blooming just yet.  Lambert's Locoweed was the first I saw.As the morning warmed up, the Prairie Lizards came out to soak up some http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/06/cheesman-canyon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Wigwam Creek Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135, USA39.2230381 -105.278806310.912804263821151 -140.43505629999999 67.533271936178835 -70.1225563tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-5264846978126086165Sat, 30 May 2026 00:13:25 +00002026-05-29T17:13:25.072-07:00ColoradoHikingJefferson CountyPark CountyPhotosSpringWaterfallsGiven our dry winter, I'm really glad I did my Great Colorado Waterfall Tour last year.  But I figured if I was going to have any chance of seeing a waterfall in the state actually flowing briskly this year, now was it.  So I headed to Staunton State Park to hike to Elk Falls. You have to want to see this waterfall; the hike is nine miles with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. &nbsphttp://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/05/elk-falls.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Staunton State Park, 12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80470, USA39.5101214 -105.392080911.199887563821157 -140.5483309 67.820355236178841 -70.2358309tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8488881816688395201Sun, 24 May 2026 01:23:34 +00002026-05-23T18:23:34.556-07:00BirdsColoradoJefferson CountyPhotosReptilesSpringAfter a wonderful morning at St. Vrain State Park, I had the time and inclination to see more!  Another photographer mentioned there being American Avocets at Kountze Lake, which was arguably on my way home.  So Kountze Lake it was. :) Pond Sliders were taking full advantage of the warm, sunny day.So was this monstrosity.  I'm fascinated at how this Common Snapping Turtle has so http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/05/kountze-lake-may-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-2490990201807116416Mon, 11 May 2026 00:07:26 +00002026-05-10T17:07:26.668-07:00BirdsColoradoPhotosSpringSt. Vrain State ParkWeld CountySince moving back to Colorado from Texas, one of the things I've been delighted to recommence is my membership in the Mile High Wildlife Photography Club.  The monthly meetings provide a wonderful opportunity to meet other photographers, view gorgeous images and learn the stories behind them, and improve my craft.  And yesterday, it also provided the chance to get out in the field with http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/05/st-vrain-state-park-may-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0St. Vrain State Park, 3785 Weld County Road #24.5, Longmont, CO 80504, USA40.1678908 -104.991490711.857656963821157 -140.14774069999999 68.478124636178848 -69.8352407tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-2777365290519083075Thu, 07 May 2026 01:53:09 +00002026-05-06T18:53:09.897-07:00BirdsColoradoDouglas CountyPhotosSpringAfter a winter sorely lacking in snow, we had a Colorado springtime surprise today -- a snow day in May!  Schools closed over concerns that the heavy, wet snow would cause power outages.  And our neighborhood birds -- especially the Mountain Bluebirds nesting on our porch -- were struggling to find food.  Fortunately, I look out for our feathered friends. As I mentioned, we've got http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/05/backyard-beauty-may-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0273 Alumroot St, Castle Rock, CO 80104, USA39.324588899999988 -104.860078511.014355063821142 -140.0163285 67.634822736178833 -69.7038285tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-6388944140302611003Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:27:00 +00002026-04-14T18:27:14.971-07:00BirdsNebraskaPhotosWinterCranes were definitely the focus of my recent trip to Nebraska, but that didn't stop some other feathered friends from finding their way in front of my lens. When I saw a large bird scramble across the road in front of me as I was driving through the corn fields, I immediately thought it was a Roadrunner.  I suppose that comes from living in Texas for eight years.  Upon closer http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/04/platte-river-march-2026-not-cranes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Kearney, NE, USA40.699330300000007 -99.081678412.389096463821161 -134.2379284 69.009564136178852 -63.9254284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-4123574761541840720Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:13:00 +00002026-04-06T15:13:09.614-07:00BirdsMammalsNebraskaPhotosSilhouetteSunriseSunsetWinterGroups of Sandhill Cranes in flight can best be seen around sunrise and sunset each day, as the birds head from their overnight roosting sites in the river to their feeding sites in the nearby fields and vice versa.  And if you don't get views of the cranes, you still get a sunrise or sunset out of the deal. :)My first night I tried the CPNRD Alda Viewing Deck.  Cranes http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/04/platte-river-march-2026-sunrise-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Platte River, Nebraska, USA41.056970253129542 -98.28242104104936112.746736416950696 -133.43867104104936 69.367204089308387 -63.126171041049361tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-1655717385824320143Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:38:00 +00002026-04-04T14:38:42.817-07:00BirdsNebraskaPhotosWinterAt sunrise and sunset you can find the Sandhill Cranes in the river, where they sleep secure from predators in the shallow water.  During the day, they head to the nearby corn fields to feed. Even though Nebraska is the only state where the cranes can't be hunted, they're still very wary.  It was a struggle to get close enough for good photos, even using my car as a blind.In addition tohttp://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/04/platte-river-march-2026-cranes-in-corn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Lowell, NE 68959, USA40.6475141 -98.847300414.305029061131435 -134.0035504 66.989999138868569 -63.691050399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-3717815258194303421Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +00002026-04-04T14:40:57.304-07:00BirdsNebraskaPhotosSilhouetteWinterI have had some great times in the past shooting pictures of Sandhill Cranes, both in Colorado and New Mexico.  I've always heard that if I really want to see cranes on their northern migration, I needed to go to the Platte River in Nebraska.  My Spring Break this year coincided perfectly with the projections for peak migration, when roughly half a million cranes were expected to http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/03/platte-river-march-2026-cranes-in-flight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Kearney, NE, USA40.699330300000007 -99.081678412.389096463821161 -134.2379284 69.009564136178852 -63.9254284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-5273881655055683476Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:30:54 +00002026-03-17T16:30:54.950-07:00Douglas CountyHikingPhotosSunriseWinterI hadn't plan to go for a hike Monday morning.  But the combination of fresh snow on Sunday, conditions favorable to a pretty sunrise, and the day off for spring break proved too powerful to resist.  Gateway Mesa Open Space is within 20 minutes of my home, and seemed like it would have good views to the east.  So that's where I found myself at first light yesterday! I was honestly http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/03/gateway-mesa-open-space-march-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)04678 CO-86, Castle Rock, CO 80104, USA39.3879585 -104.802527811.077724663821158 -139.9587778 67.698192336178849 -69.6462778tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-6288663390062369887Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:11:00 +00002026-02-26T17:11:56.837-08:00BirdsHikingLarimer CountyMammalsPhotosRocky Mountain National ParkWinterMy hike in Florissant last week was nice, but I needed more.  More wildlife, more scenery, and most importantly more snow!  So with a reluctant sigh I jumped into the car before 6 a.m. last Saturday for the drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The plan: Hike to Emerald Lake. It was nice to see a trio of big bull elk grazing on the side of Bear Lake Road on my drive in.  http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/02/rocky-mountain-national-park-february.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA40.3427932 -105.683638912.032559363821157 -140.8398889 68.653027036178855 -70.5273889tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-6078600881250407892Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:23:00 +00002026-02-16T17:23:23.527-08:00ColoradoFlorissant Fossil Beds NMHikingTeller CountyWinterNo school on Presidents' Day, so I wanted to get out and hike.  I also wanted to find snow, since it's been a pretty warm and dry winter here in Castle Rock.I went out to Florissant and got 1 1/2 out of 2.  I hiked, and there wasn't no snow.  Just not an abundance of the white stuff. The hike was almost over before it even started.  I'd read that the Visitor Center at http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/02/florissant-loop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816, USA38.9136098 -105.285486710.603375963821158 -140.4417367 67.223843636178856 -70.1292367tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8190688573057612291Sun, 25 Jan 2026 02:48:56 +00002026-01-24T18:49:15.208-08:00BirdsColoradoDouglas CountyMontainePhotosWinterA frigid January day meant a likelihood of more feathered friends visiting our backyard.  So I made sure our typical buffet was laid out, set up a camp chair, and waited to see who showed up.Turned out my presence in a camp chair made our potential guests uncomfortable.  Black-billed Magpies were the first to overcome their fears and come for some chow.House Finches aren't afraid of http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/01/backyard-beauty-january-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0273 Alumroot St, Castle Rock, CO 80104, USA39.324588899999988 -104.860078511.014355063821142 -140.0163285 67.634822736178833 -69.7038285tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8506909713004017928Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:07:00 +00002026-01-23T17:07:35.883-08:00Douglas CountyPhotosWinterThe lack of snow in Colorado this winter has been well-documented.  When we finally got just enough in Castle Rock to give everything a thin coat, I decided to use it to shoot the holiday lights in Festival Park. Even at the early hour, the snow wasn't completely unbroken.  Who walks through Festival Park before 7 a.m. on a holiday Monday?The town does a nice job with its http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/01/festival-park-january-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Festival Park, 300 2nd St, Castle Rock, CO 80104, USA39.3709703 -104.858971911.060736463821158 -140.0152219 67.681204136178849 -69.7027219tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8522221586684872834Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:11:00 +00002026-01-12T17:16:15.328-08:00ColoradoGrand CountyHikingPhotosWinterI love hiking and taking photos in the snow.  So it's been a rough end to 2025 since, you know, we haven't really had any.  Until one day we did! I was staying up in Winter Park with my family for the Christmas holiday, and on Saturday night they got fresh snow.  So early Sunday morning I went to Monarch Lake to hike its loop trail.Winter had definitely arrived.  It was a http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2026/01/monarch-lake.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Monarch Lake, Colorado 80446, USA40.1045406 -105.739518211.794306763821155 -140.89576820000002 68.414774436178845 -70.5832682tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8562412943248002641Sat, 15 Nov 2025 02:59:00 +00002025-11-14T18:59:10.197-08:00FallHikingJefferson CountyMammalsPhotosWaterton CanyonSterne Park on Monday was just the appetizer.  The main course I had planned was to see the Bighorn Sheep in Waterton Canyon.  I knew there would be a hike involved -- the herds usually hang out between 1.5 and three miles up from the trailhead.  And I got confirmation from some folks I passed on the trail that the three-mile mark was indeed where a large herd could be found. A http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/11/waterton-canyon-november-2025.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Platte Canyon, Colorado 80125, USA39.4849886 -105.105542611.174754763821156 -140.2617926 67.795222436178847 -69.9492926tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-2728459842809784542Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:24:00 +00002025-11-10T19:43:53.178-08:00Arapahoe CountyBirdsColoradoFallPhotosAn unexpected day off and unseasonably warm November weather sent me out looking for wildlife photos today.  I decided to try a couple of old mainstays that I hadn't visited since we moved back nearly 2 1/2 years ago, starting with Sterne Park in Littleton. Sterne Park has provided me with some wonderful Wood Duck photos in the past, and I hoped it might again.  I even filled http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/11/sterne-park-november-2025.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Sterne Park, 5800 S Spotswood St, Littleton, CO 80120, USA39.609456 -105.01114911.299222163821156 -140.167399 67.919689836178847 -69.854899tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-8165752141274294913Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:11:00 +00002025-10-23T17:11:58.804-07:00ColoradoDouglas CountyFallFoliageSunriseAfter seeing beautiful fall foliage at Pancake Rocks and on my road trip around southwestern Colorado, I was still hungry for more. So last Friday morning I made the short drive to Castlewood Canyon State Park.  I made it early enough to try and catch a sunrise, too. I made it to the Bridge Canyon Overlook in time to take in predawn light both to the northwest......and to the http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/10/castlewood-canyon-2025.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 CO-83, Franktown, CO 80116, USA39.3336344 -104.740117311.023400563821156 -139.8963673 67.643868236178847 -69.5838673tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-4651618957401288778Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:19:00 +00002025-10-12T18:19:53.001-07:00Archuleta CountyColoradoFallFoliageGunnison CountyHinsdale CountyMineral CountyOuray CountyPhotosSan Juan CountyWaterfallsThe fall foliage forecast declared that most locations in the state would be past peak by the time my Fall Break and accompanying road trip with Danelle rolled around.  Forecasts such as this are further evidence that human beings are absolute hot garbage at predicting the future. Pagosa Springs was our first destination, which meant a stop at Wolf Creek Pass.This was my third time stopping http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/10/fall-foliage-road-trip-2025.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-3269401814156840256Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:32:00 +00002025-10-02T18:32:41.038-07:00BirdsColoradoFallFoliageHikingPhotosTeller CountyI ran into a local on my hike at Lovell Gulch a couple of weeks ago, and while we were chatting he recommended Pancake Rocks for foliage.  When I get advice from a local, I typically heed it.  So this past weekend I found myself at the Pancake Rocks trailhead before sunrise.The first couple of miles of the trail are fairly typical Colorado mountain fare -- beautiful, fairly heavily http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/10/pancake-rocks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Pancake Rocks Trail, Colorado Springs, CO 80924, USA38.9697316 -104.73427910.659497763821157 -139.89052900000002 67.279965436178855 -69.578029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-1799076518789620580Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:21:00 +00002025-09-14T17:24:04.720-07:00ColoradoFallFoliageHikingMammalsPhotosTeller CountyWildflowersWildflower season is over, and foliage season hasn't started yet.  But I still needed to get out to hike and shoot some pictures.  The Woodland Park area has been a favorite of mine of late, and that's where I found the Lovell Gulch to White Gulch Loop on AllTrails.Bristly Beard Lichen adorned some of the trees.The first few turning aspen leaves of the season had fallen, decorated with http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/09/lovell-gulch-to-white-gulch-loop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Lovell Gulch Trailhead, 2400 Rampart Range Rd, Woodland Park, CO 80863, USA39.0182734 -105.041754210.708039563821153 -140.1980042 67.328507236178837 -69.8855042tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-4855485863858564380Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:47:00 +00002025-08-05T18:54:08.300-07:00BirdsFlowersFrench PolynesiaPhotosSummerWaterfallsWhen our cruise around the Leeward Islands of French Polynesia came to its sad but inevitable end, we found ourselves back in Papeete with nearly 12 hours until our flight back to the States.  Danelle had once again brilliantly arranged a way for us to pass half of that time -- a guided driving tour around the perimeter of the island. First stop was 'Ārahurahu Marae, which had the statuary http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/08/tahiti.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Tahiti, French Polynesia-17.6509195 -149.4260421-45.961153336178846 175.4177079 10.659314336178845 -114.26979209999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-5667360228889932612Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:28:00 +00002025-08-02T17:48:23.601-07:00BirdsFrench PolynesiaMammalsPhotosSummerMy wonderful wife booked a photo excursion for our cruise ship stop on the island of Mo'orea.  The talented Loreleï of Eyes of Moorea Photography drove us around to several picturesque locations, offering helpful tips on composition and technique. (Editor's Note: She also graciously reviewed this post and provided corrections and clarifications.  What a wonderful person!)http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/07/moorea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Mo'orea, Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia-17.5388435 -149.8295234-45.849077336178844 175.0142266 10.771390336178847 -114.6732734tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-2402886577015556684Mon, 28 Jul 2025 01:42:00 +00002025-08-02T17:49:35.674-07:00BirdsFlowersFrench PolynesiaMarae TaputapuateaPhotosSummerAfter three nights in our overwater villa on Bora Bora, we returned to Tahiti and boarded the Paul Gauguin for a seven-day cruise around the Leeward Islands.  First stop was Huahine, where we took a great ebike tour around the southern island.  Next was Raʻiātea, where Danelle thoughtfully booked us a bus tour so I could bring my cameras and capture all the sights. First stop was http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/07/raiatea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Raiatea, French Polynesia-16.8164132 -151.4552213-45.126647036178845 173.3885287 11.493820636178846 -116.2989713tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907797933036471777.post-2372100011283937949Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:41:00 +00002025-08-02T17:49:54.238-07:00French PolynesiaPhotosSummerSunriseSunsetAfter years of planning, we got to take a very special vacation earlier this month -- nearly two weeks in French Polynesia! We started with a few nights in an overwater bungalow at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.  Two of Danelle's favorite YouTubers -- Kara and Nate -- made it look and sound like an amazing experience.  And they weren't wrong.Sunsets from our own Colorado backyard http://atreefalling.blogspot.com/2025/07/bora-bora.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveHarbula)0Motu Ome'E Bp 506 Bora Bora, Motu Piti A, au 98730, French Polynesia-16.4861028 -151.6981399-44.79633663617885 173.1456101 11.824131036178844 -116.5418899