High country summer - Part II

More photos from summer in the Rocky Mountains. 

The view back towards Forest Canyon and Trail Ridge Rd. from the summit of Mt. Ida.

The view back towards Forest Canyon and Trail Ridge Rd. from the summit of Mt. Ida.

Mills Lake, Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Mills Lake, Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park.

A Bighorn ram forages above the tree line.

A Bighorn ram forages above the tree line.

A creamy lump of quartz sits among the boulders near Mt. Ida.

A creamy lump of quartz sits among the boulders near Mt. Ida.

Panorama from the top of Twin Sisters Peak.  Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at left, Estes Park at right.

Panorama from the top of Twin Sisters Peak.  Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at left, Estes Park at right.

Equipment from the abandoned Eugenia Mine, on the way to Estes Cone.

Equipment from the abandoned Eugenia Mine, on the way to Estes Cone.

An Elk bull looks down on the tree line.

An Elk bull looks down on the tree line.

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Panoramic view from the top of Estes Cone.  Rt. 7 below left, and Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at center.

Panoramic view from the top of Estes Cone.  Rt. 7 below left, and Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at center.

Longhorn beetle.

Longhorn beetle.

Hatchling praying mantis on a young pine cone.

Hatchling praying mantis on a young pine cone.

These cicadas use their wings to make a distinct snapping or clacking sound high in the trees.

These cicadas use their wings to make a distinct snapping or clacking sound high in the trees.

Some moth species fake death by extending their abdominal segments and wings, revealing brightly-colored areas, and remaining motionless.

Some moth species fake death by extending their abdominal segments and wings, revealing brightly-colored areas, and remaining motionless.

Looking west towards the Continental Divide from near the summit of Twin Sisters.

Looking west towards the Continental Divide from near the summit of Twin Sisters.

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Wild rose in bloom.

Wild rose in bloom.

Indian paintbrush.

Indian paintbrush.

The Colorado State Flower, Columbine.

The Colorado State Flower, Columbine.

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New fruit on a conifer.

New fruit on a conifer.

Painted sky at sunrise.

Painted sky at sunrise.

Young black bear on the trail.

Young black bear on the trail.

Columbine blossoms in blue and white.

Columbine blossoms in blue and white.

A glimpse of Emerald Lake from the Flattop Mountain trail.

A glimpse of Emerald Lake from the Flattop Mountain trail.