Our first view of the Maroon Bells as the sky lightened around 545am

A few minutes later, the red hue of the mountains became more apparent

Behind us, the glow of dawn provided the light that bathed the Maroon Bells

As the day lightened, the whole valley started lighting up

The early risers at Maroon Creek

In black and white

And as the sun peeped over the mountains behind us, the tips of the mountains on our right were highlighted

and about half an hour after daybreak, the rising sun cast its light on Maroon Bells

Maroon Bells

And by 9am the valley was lit and the difference in colours was marked

Majestic mountains

wildflowers in the foreground

Pools of water reflecting the Bells

Walking to the western end of Maroon Lake…

There is a loop trail which leads from the western end of the lake

there is a little creek

which gushed merrily

and here, our first bird of the morning…hopping from rock to rock in the creek

An American Dipper

American Robin

American Robin

Song Sparrow

and busying among themselves in the reeds were several immature pine siskins.

pine siskin

Pine siskin in flight

by the time we headed back around 930, the sun was high

the valley was bright

red tailed hawk

Tree swallow

Tree swallows

Aspen trees from which Aspen gets its name

In the full light of the sun

A little tree squirrel saw us off

Magnificent Maroon Bells….you mustn’t miss it if you are in Colorado