Bailey Clique Blog

Posts

What kind of Stuff You’ll Find on here!

  • Discover Hidden Gems in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains

    Colorado. The very name conjures images of majestic mountains, vibrant wildflowers, and crisp, clean air. it’s also massive. And within its vast expanse lie countless hidden gems, waiting to be discovered.

    Last June (2024), I traveled from Yellowstone to Colorado. We were treated to relatively empty trails and temperatures 60°-75°. Perfect for hiking, exploring, and soaking in the scenery.

    Any way, enough reading, let’s get to some pictures.

    #1 Trail Ridge Road- Rocky Mountains

    Everyone knows about the Rocky Mountains. Why do you think it is popular?

    Being eye-level with the mountains from the window was such an experience.

    No filter needed. What you see is pure blue mountains, fog, and vastness. It was an incredible experience to be so high, without hiking at all.

    We stopped at one stunning location

    That’s another mention… You’ll be glad to know, Trail Ridge Road makes it easy to enjoy the views. There are tons of places to pull over.

    This is where we had to stop. I found myself thinking, ‘Am I in Middle-earth?’ The sheer size of the landscape, the way the clouds draped over the mountains.

    This scene was straight out of a dream. Patches of snow, a stark contrast to my usual Florida sunshine.

    It was simply beautiful. Make sure you take a moment to pull over, breathe in the fresh air, and look out.

    #2 Alluvial Fan Trail

    Foggy day, but the mountains and trees were still stunning.

    The trail wound through a towering trees, with red bark, and lush green leaves. At the end, you will find a waterfall/ stream with rocks.

    One of the unique aspects of this spot is that you can physically enter the stream.

    Calling all bird watchers! The trees here are filled with songbirds. If you’ve got binoculars or a good camera lens, you’re in for a treat

    #3 Fall River Pass

    Now I do not want to confuse you… This was right by the sign of Fall River Pass.

    We first saw a giant moose (that I did not get a picture of) and a bunch of deer… Or at least I think they are deer, Mule deer?

    We saw Deer here almost every time we passed this area, so maybe its a little spot for them.

    #5 Alberta Falls

    Alberta Falls is a long hike (IMO), filled with birds and plenty of rocks to relax on the way.

    I saw maybe 3 Steller’s Jay up close just being beautiful and majestic.

    Okay, confession time: I was so tired from the hike that I completely forgot to take decent pictures of Alberta Falls.

    But I did manage to capture some other trail moments, including this gem.

    This little dude clearly thought I was annoying.

    Here is another Steller’s Jay.

    After you hike Alberta falls, there is something close by that is worth going to. The perfect place to relax….

    Only 17 minutes away is…

    #6 Moraine Park

    The field was a dream: tall grass, colorful flowers, and a winding stream

    But then I saw…

    More deer! They were a blur of motion, leaping through the stream and across the field. I was completely mesmerized that I did not capture the best pictures.

    I promise there are two deer in this photo… Did you ever figure out if it they are deer? I’m still unsure.

    Let’s go on to the next spot.

    Last photo, I promise.

    #7 Sprague Lake

    We’d done our homework, and it was worth it. Sprague Lake, they said, was the place for moose. And they were right!

    Within minutes of arriving, a colossal, almost prehistoric figure walked from the forest. This giant star wars looking creature walking on the trail.

    Hey dude! Or should I say girl… Woman? She looked a bit older.

    We followed her from a distance to see where she would go.

    She was so quiet and peaceful, minding her own business, wanting a little snack in her lake…. But oh, look who’s here, an even bigger moose.

    She did not even get 10 minutes to this spot to herself! They were friendly to each other.

    Look at his little (big) nose with the pond weed on it.

    I took this on my DSLR with the super long lens. She was simply unbothered.

    Even if I did not see a moose at Sprague Lake, I would say that it is still worth going. It is a great picnic spot or place to relax. No hiking required!

    Click Click! Or should I say Clique….

    Thank you for reading and have an amazing time in Rocky Mountain, CO!

    Be sure to subscribe so you can find more photo spots in Yellowstone, Colorado, Florida, and California!

    More Nature photos will be here: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/BaileyClique

  • The Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone’s Scenic Photography Locations

    -7 Beautiful Locations-

    I went to Yellowstone in the beginning of June last year (2024). It was not busy and the weather was 40°-75°.

    So where are the best photo spots?? Pretty much everywhere, but I am going to give you all the exact locations of each of the following photos.

    Lets start out with West Yellowstone, which is actually in Idaho.

    #1 Mesa Falls- Idaho

    You can see Mesa Falls from multiple vantage points, including the stunning overlook at the very top. This is a view from the very top; you need to drive to it and see from high above. (Lower Mesa Falls Observation site)

    (below is Upper Mesa Falls)

    You may think this is “lower Mesa Falls: but this is actually Upper Mesa Falls! You can experience a cool mist from the edge and a close up view.

    #2 Brink of The Upper Falls

    Observation Deck in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    I don’t know if there is always a rainbow here but it is breathtaking either way! The waterfall is powerful and you can get very close. Not to mention, you will be right next to artist point…

    #3 Artist Point

    Artist point is popular for a reason! You can sit down and enjoy the falls. There are also many birds who will fly through the canyon. The colors are beautiful and I can imagine how pretty it would be at sunrise/ sunset. This picture was taken around 1pm.

    #4 Grand Prasmatic Spring

    Grand Prasmatic Spring is so beautiful! But make sure you go when it is hot and sunny! If it is too cold, you will not be able to see the spring because the steam will cover the spring up.

    What else did I see at Grand Prasmatic Spring?

    Well, I saw a bunch of Bison in the parking lot. I would add a video if I could, but I saw them running together. But trust me when I tell you this, you will see bison everywhere. Including the roads.

    #5 Washburn Hot Springs Overlook

    The Washburn Hot Springs looks different depending on where you look and what time in the day it is. This photo was taken at sunrise. You will see the steam come out through the trees while there is a golden light on the mountains

    -Still Washburn Hot Springs Overlook, but photographed on the left

    #6 The North Entrance of YellowStone National Park

    All I did was stand on a hill by the entrance and saw this moody scene. How beautiful are these dark and gloomy mountains?

    Drive over to Lamar Valley!

    It’s a long drive, but you will see a lot along the way! I saw a bear, an elk, an eagle, coyotes, and a whole lot of bison.

    Here are some pictures I took on the drive there:

    #7 Lamar Valley

    You see those little dots on the bottom in the grass? Those are bison!

    By the way, lamar valley is huge! You can stay here for hours and take pictures of so many things. You will get to see bison calves if you go in the spring. I was lucky and visited early June!

    I even saw this cute field mouse and a badger hiding on a hill. Make sure to observe your surroundings! Sometimes the unexpected photos will turn out to be your favorite

    Thank you for reading and have an amazing time in Yellowstone!

    Be sure to subscribe so you can find more photo spots in Yellowstone, Colorado, Florida, and California!

    More Nature photos will be here: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/BaileyClique

  • My Most Difficult Painting Ever

    This painting was not something I suggested I should do!

    In 2023, I wanted to make a little painting of something simple. So I did. I created this simple Koi Fish Painting (I was so relaxed I painted it in my bed). I painted a dark green background, added lily pads, flowers, and some Koi fish. This is how it turned out! It was one of my least stressful, easiest paintings ever.

    So how is this painting my most difficult painting? It is not, but this little painting was the first step to creating the most difficult painting I ever had to make.

    Little did I know that this was not the last time I would be painting tiny little koi fish; I was going to do it on a GIANT Canvas Panel. My brother’s friend wanted a giant canvas of this and detailed it exactly the same.

    Let me tell you, I was nervous. I did not want to mess up and fail. He wanted no updates; he wanted to be fully surprised.

    So I got to it! I purchased more paints and tiny brushes. Then I realized… How do I even find a giant canvas panel?! So I did my research… and THEY WERE SO EXPENSIVE. I had no idea. Thankfully, there was a sale on Blick and it was $15 shipped (that rhymed). Great deal! So I began painting.

    I tried to paint it exactly how I did the first time, except I was not anticipating making another one, so I forgot what I did. So I looked in the depths of my memory and started painting the canvas dark green, hoping I was right. I then penciled in all the lily pads, fish, swirls, flowers, dots, and all. That alone took so long, but I did not want to cut corners. I have learned that if I do not draw in what I envision, I am going to fail.

    The Unknown of What it Will Look Like

    After I did all the sketches, I added white to the fish and flowers and green to the lily pads.

    I was already getting excited because it was coming together as planned! However, I was dreading painting all the fish white and then adding their colors, but I powered through and….

    We Are Getting There!

    Woo! I painted all the fish and lilypads. I was even liking the product without all the blue coloring. But because I was making this painting for someone else, I, of course, still decided to add the blue swirls and more color.

    I was already at about 10 hours with this painting. Maybe even more because I lost count!

    Losing hope…

    Then, I started adding the blues and realized I do not like this painting!

    I mean, what was I doing wrong? Was it the way that I was doing the swirls? Did I make the fish too big? Why is the blue a different color than the original?

    I had so many questions, and I was sort of (dramatically) devastated that I could not replicate it.

    So what did I do? I repainted some of the larger fish and redid some of the blue swirls. I had to restart to continue.

    Sometimes, in Life You Need to Restart.

    So that is what I did, I redid a lot of the fish and…

    We were really starting to get somewhere!

    The fish were more detailed; I was more precise with the coloring. I was looking at everything, so I did not make the mistake of rushing through.

    I was finally feeling accomplished again and excited to get it done!

    Are We Done Yet?

    YES! I was finally finished; after months of sitting on the carpet floor watching 2 seasons of Desperate Housewives, I was finally done. Every swirl, flower, and fish has its own uniqueness, and I was so excited to be finished.

    It was like a weight of this burden was off my shoulders!

    The Theme of this Story is:

    Was this painting the most difficult painting I have ever created? Yes

    Would I do it again? Maybe

    Would I give up and have this painting be unfinished and sitting in the corner of my room? NO

    Always persevere through adversity, big or small! You will not regret it. Start over, find what is stopping you, and make something beautiful out of it.

    Thank You For Reading!

    (I’m smiling in this)