photos by David Halterman

Whether its the New York City skyline or Half Dome at sunrise, horizons draw our eyes to the simple relationship between earth and sky and give us a reference point for where we stand. And if you stand anywhere around here, you know that we are not lacking in the gorgeous horizon department. Be it sunrise, sunset, or on your way out to lunch, chances are you glance at a horizon, any horizon, at least a handful of times a day. Not only are they pleasing to the eye, but they also serve as a heads up to what kind of weather may be in store and lend a clue to the approximate hour of the day. Seen from the mountainous bowl of Durango, the rolling plains atop Florida Mesa, or even humble Cortez, youre sure to get an eyeful of goodness whichever way you look. But enough with the lengthy descriptions and repetitive banter; as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Looking west on any afternoon almost always guarantees a great view. This view is seen from County Road 100 atop Florida Mesa at sunset. Thunderheads roll in just south of Vallecito Reservoir last week. The sunrise illuminates some whispy, post-rainstorm clouds over the mountains of Telluride on Sunday. Lightning strikes behind Perins Peak on Monday afternoon, as seen from the deck of an in-town home. Two clouds linger over a tree just before dusk, west of Cortez. A chopper prepares to refill its bucket during the Dam Fire last week.