A COLD MORNING WHITE the engelmann prickly pear cactus

the engelmann prickly pear cactus is a common cactus in the desert southwest

I photographed this section of the creek for about an hour coming away with some beautiful images of the box elder trees and their reflection onto the creek

The fresh snow in the Willamette National Forest had been a beautiful area to do some snowshoeing and just take in the awe inspiring scene of snow covered fir trees

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A COLD MORNING WHITE the engelmann prickly pear cactusA beautiful view of a frozen 100 ft wildcat canyon falls. With the extreme cold temperatures of January and February, waterfalls form as the afternoon sun begins to melt the snowfall from the previous day only to have that snow and water freeze overnight as the temperatures drop to 9F to 0F creating impressive and colorful waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park. (687 3562)