Steamboat Pilot & Today

Stars dot the night sky near Steamboat Springs. Photo by John F. Russell

Violas on my deck turn their face toward the setting sun. Submitted by: Verleen Tucker

Richard Murray speaks Monday at the Seminars at Steamboat event in Steamboat Springs. He said that tons of factors could influence the looming presidential election but that no matter what happens, it will be an interesting one to watch. Photo by Joel Reichenberger

Perseid meteor shower taken from Buffalo Pass at 4:18 a.m. Aug. 12 with the Canon T1i, Sigma 10-20mm f4, ISO800, for 466 seconds using a bulb remote and a tripod. Submitted by: Gabriel T. Rogers

Len Zanni, left, and Lance Armstrong shake hands after Armstrong crossed the finish line in first place at the Steamboat Stinger trail marathon. Photo by Joel Reichenberger

Nya gets a pet from owner Katelyn Ibarra during a break in the Routt County Fair's dog show Monday morning. Photo by John F. Russell

Kelly Hilley shows her dog at the Routt County Fair on Monday morning. The dog show traditionally is one of the first events in what will be a busy week for many children at the annual fair. Photo by John F. Russell

Follow the hazy band of the summer Milky Way toward the south to find the Teapot asterism of Sagittarius the Archer during the early evening this month. Sagittarius is located in a region rich in star clusters and colorful nebulae and is a delight to view with binoculars. Jimmy Westlake / Courtesy

A bear hangs out in a tree across from Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs. Photo by John F. Russell

Wood stacked and ready for winter outside a house in Hahn's Peak. Photo by John F. Russell

The sun falls below the horizon for a vantage point outside Steamboat Springs. Photo by John F. Russell

Taylor Elliott competes Monday morning inside the rodeo arena at the Routt County Fairgrounds during the ranch horse versatility competition. The event is one of several horse competitions at this year’s Routt County Fair, which will shift into high gear later this week. Photo by John F. Russell

There are still plenty of colorful wildflowers to be found in Routt County. Photo by John F. Russell

Rachel Rolando and her dog get focused before their turn during Monday morning’s dog show at the Routt County Fair. Photo by John F. Russell

Jewel Vreeman scratches Selina behind the ears after completing an exercise at the Routt County Fair's dog show Monday morning. Eight competitors showed their dogs in a number of different classes at the dog show, which traditionally is one of the first events of the week at the annual fair. Photo by John F. Russell

A humming bird hovers in the air near a feeder in Hahn's Peak Village. Photo by John F. Russell

Hahn's Peak forms the perfect backdrop for this colorful wildfire just outside of Hahn's Peak Village on Friday afternoon. Photo by John F. Russell

Atop the gondola. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

One-room schoolhouse at Hahn's Peak. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

Rodeo horses. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

Amazing sunset colors. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

Glorious sunset. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

Double rainbow. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas

Team roping Aug. 10 at the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas.

Awaiting the bull riding. Submitted by: Jan Fisher of Colleyville, Texas.

Fair Cleanup Day. Submitted by: Tracy Zuschlag

Fair Cleanup Day. Submitted by: Tracy Zuschlag

From the final Seminars at Steamboat for the 2012 season. Political scientist Richard Murray talked about this year’s presidential election and the importance of swing states, including Colorado. Photo credit: Joseph Cosby. Submitted by: Jane Stein

From the final Seminars at Steamboat for the 2012 season. Political scientist Richard Murray talked about this year’s presidential election and the importance of swing states, including Colorado. Photo credit: Joseph Cosby. Submitted by: Jane Stein