Nathan Cassell
LightNews LightNews
banner
pyxorium.com
Nathan Cassell
@pyxorium.com
1.4K followers 170 following 1.7K posts
Here for science, art, music, the ATmosphere
🚲 🏃‍♂️ 🌱 📷 🥧 Colorado
🎶 https://plyr.fm/u/pyxorium.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
pyxorium.com
Rail line near East Portal Road
December 2009
Converging railroad tracks extending from bottom of frame upward, with a vanishing point in the middle ground, above which are a series of tree covered ridge lines, with an upper ridgeline (the Continental Divide) above timberline. Small drifts of snow line the railroad tracks. Puffy white and gray clouds in the sky above the highest peaks. Small portions of faded blue sky peeking through. These tracks are part of the Moffat Tunnel Subdivision of the Union Pacific Central Corridor, which runs through the Moffat Tunnel under the Continental Divide. They are located in the South Boulder Creek drainage, east of the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel and west of Tolland (and Rollinsville).
December 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
pyxorium.com
Was out for a walk at the Arvada Reservoir today and saw something I hadn't seen before, a bald eagle dive-bombing ducks. After a couple of passes the eagle flew up to a nearby tree.
Bald eagle swooping in on a raft of ducks at Arvada Reservoir, in Arvada, Colorado. The ducks are splashing and making a commotion. Bald eagle flying over a raft of ducks. Bald eagle with talons extended toward the water, ducks making themselves scarce. Bald eagle resting on the branch of a tree.
December 7, 2025 at 12:34 AM
pyxorium.com
Melvin Seals & JGB
at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
Denver, Colorado
Melvin Seals (Organ), Cheryl Rucker (Vocals), Pete Lavezzoli (Drums), Shirley Starks (Vocals)
December 2016
Band members on stage at nightclub in Denver, Colorado. Melvin Seals sitting at organ, Cheryl Rucker standing behind microphone, Pete Lavezzoli sitting at drums, Shirley Starks standing behind microphone
December 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
pyxorium.com
Went for a walk today along the Van Bibber Creek Trail and up to Serenity Ridge Park, it was a bit chilly and overcast
Stenger pond at the Stenger Sports Complex in Arvada, Colorado. Sky mostly dark and cloudy, with a small portion of light peeking through and casting a faint reflection on the surface of the pond ice. The ground around the pond is covered in snow, and houses of a residential neighborhood are in the distance on the horizon. Thin horizontal slice of Stenger pond ice in bottom of frame, Van Bibber Creek Trail and reeds growing along Van Bibber Creek in the middle ground extending across the frame horizontally. Three pine trees. Two coyote decoys in the soccer field in the distance, dutifully keeping the geese away. Ground covered in snow.
December 6, 2025 at 3:16 AM
pyxorium.com
From yesterday's walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail. The weather will be warming up over the next few days and I expect much of this snow and ice will begin melting away 🌤️
Snow on railings and walking surface of metal bridge, icicles forming on bolts on the side of the top railing. Canyon wall faintly visible in distance. Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Golden, Colorado Two women and a dog running on the Peaks to Plains Trail, snow covers trail and surrounding canyon area. Exposed rocky canyon wall toward top right of frame. West side portal of Tunnel 1 (US Highway 6) is visible behind tree branches on the left. Flowing water of Clear Creek is on far side of a metal railing that borders the trail. Sky covered in gray and white clouds, with small portions of blue peeking through. Tree with multiple branches covered in snow in foreground, water of Clear Creek in middle ground, rocks on near and far banks of creek are covered in pillows of snow, wooden water flume of Welch Ditch Trail is faintly visible in the distance running horizontally along the far side of the canyon wall. Wooden water flume of Welch Ditch Trail, walking surface and vertical posts of flume covered in snow, canyon walls faintly visible in the distance, icicles hanging from rock in top right of frame.
December 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
pyxorium.com
Arvada Reservoir
December 2020
Thin layer of ice covering surface of reservoir water reflects light in horizontal crystal patterns, with irregularly shaped portions of uncovered dark water peeking through. A cylindrical water buoy is in the top right of the frame, extending vertically through the ice. Arvada, Colorado
December 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
pyxorium.com
A walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail this am, started at Gateway and turned around at CCR where there is an interpretive sign with information about the next trail segment under construction (Huntsman's Rancho, opening 2026). A big thanks to <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:37nao75ywakrvidpw62nvqxw" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@jeffcoopenspace.bsky.social for their work on this trail!
Gateway Trailhead of Peaks to Plains Trail, metal staircase leading down to the trail below, with a view west into Clear Creek Canyon, the flume portion of the trail is faintly visible as a horizontal line along the left side of the canyon. Fresh snow from yesterday covers most surfaces of the foothills, including the rocks and vegetation. Blue sky above with a few white and gray clouds. Just west of the town of Golden, Colorado. End of the open segment of the trail, at the Perseverance Bridge near the CCR Trailhead. Metal frame bridge extending over Clear Creek. A large metal screen barrier blocks further travel on the bridge, and includes an orange sign saying "Construction Access Only" an interpretive sign that says "Coming Soon" (additional info on this sign in the next alt text). US Highway 6 is visible on the far side of the bridge, as is a snow covered canyon mountainside. Jefferson County Parks and Open Space recently published this information about the CCR Trailhead: "JCPOS is excited to announce that the CCR Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park opened to the public on Friday, November 21. This newest trail segment brings a number of exciting features to the Clear Creek corridor. It offers parking for 42 vehicles and takes its name from the Colorado Central Railroad, which in the 1870s hauled ore from the mines of Black Hawk to the smelters in Golden. Visitors can now enjoy an additional 1.5 miles of fully ADA-accessible trail seamlessly connecting to the Gateway Segment. The route also includes five new bridges—Diversion Point, Granite Giants, 691, CCR, and Perseverance—each adding character and connection to the landscape." Interpretive sign text: Coming Soon Jefferson County Parks and Open Space is continuing work on the next segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail, expanding Clear Creek Canyon Park access. The next segment will connect the CCR Trailhead to Huntsman's Rancho Trailhead adding 1.5 miles of new trail! This new trailhead will include parking for 70+ vehicles, 4 bridges, multiple creek access points, and an additional one mile soft surface trail loop. Construction should be completed by end of 2026. Please give workers and equipment space, stay out of construction areas, and follow all signs. Thank you for your patience. Man from Jefferson County Parks and Open Space operating a snow blower on the Peaks to Plains Trail near the Gateway Trailhead. Snow covers the ground, except for portions of the trail cleared by the snow blower. A yellow sign indicates a Trail Intersection, which is a point where the historic Welch Ditch Trail (which includes the wooden flume trail) connects with the Peaks to Plains Trail. Blue sky above with large white and gray clouds.
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
pyxorium.com
A few more from yesterday's walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail. By late afternoon, winter darkness had begun settling into the canyon.
West side of Tunnel 1. On the upper left is US Highway 6 passing through the tunnel, with overhead street light lamps on the outside of the tunnel, and overhead lights on the interior of the tunnel, and a guard rail alongside the highway. On the lower right is Clear Creek flowing through the canyon. Near Golden, Colorado. Street light lamps on east side of Tunnel 1 illuminating the surface of Clear Creek, which is partially covered in snow. Light from the street lamps illuminating snow, trees, and foliage along right and left banks of Clear Creek. Ridgeline of foothills in the distance. Moon faintly visible through snow clouds, portions of bare deciduous trees are silhouetted against the hazy sky, light from a passing car illuminates a few tree branches.
December 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
pyxorium.com
Aloe flower bud at the University of California, Irvine, Arboretum
December 2013
Flower bud on aloe plant, with red, pink, and coral tones, and yellow along the petal edges.
December 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
pyxorium.com
Went for a walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail this pm to see what the snow was like. A couple of parks dept peeps there said they had plowed the entire trail, which was great. It was icy in spots and walking was more difficult as it got darker out, I eventually put my Yak Trax on which helped a lot.
Woman and large dog running on Peaks to Plains Trail just west of Golden, Colorado. The fence running along side the trail, the trees on both sides of the trail, and much of the vegetation has a coating of fresh snow. This part of the trail is on the lower segment close to town, and gets a lot of traffic. Man running along a portion of the trail that goes between two large rock outcroppings. This part of the trail is farther away from town, and gets less traffic. Tire tracks from the snow plow are visibly imprinted on the snow. Canyon wall in the distance. A few people on the trail, large Douglas fir trees covered in snow line the trail, on the right side of the railing. Bridge and canyon wall in the distance. Yak Trax traction device on my shoe. Very helpful for walking in slippery conditions. I'm on a bridge here, and water flowing in Clear Creek can be seen below.
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 AM
pyxorium.com
Limber pines in South Park
December 2011
Two large limber pine trees (Pinus flexilis) in the South Park valley, Park County, Colorado. Dry grass and a few rocks are on the ground. Blue sky above.
December 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
pyxorium.com
Went to see Diva last night at the Sie FilmCenter with two of my kids, fun movie!
Sign (Welcome to DIVA, Sie FilmCenter) and magenta neon light number 2 over the doorway to theater at Sie in Denver, Colorado Still from movie Diva, Alba and Jules walking down the street, Jules is pushing a moped
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
pyxorium.com
Arvada Reservoir
December 2020
Flat surface of reservoir water in foreground, along with a bare tree, some dry grass, and the edge of a paved path on right lower corner, thin line of reservoir wall extending horizontally in the middle ground between two portions of land, early evening sky above with fading blue and slightly pink colors. The Arvada/Blunn Reservoir in Arvada, Colorado
December 2, 2025 at 2:45 PM
pyxorium.com
A few more from yesterday's walk in Clear Creek Canyon. It was super cold so there weren't many people out, but there were a few.
Two small groups of people walking and one man running (in shorts!) on snow covered path along the Peaks to Plains Trail near Golden, Colorado. A stone wall is on the right side of the path, a metal railing and fence is on the left side. Bare deciduous trees on the left side behind the railing. Snow and some ice had accumulated on the path in the narrow parts of the canyon which don't receive much sunlight. Woman running on path next to Clear Creek. The canyon is more open through this area, and because the path gets more sunlight there is no accumulated snow. Portions of CCR Trailhead parking lot and US Highway 6 are on the right side of the frame. Man standing next to bicycle on the Perseverance Bridge just west of the CCR Trailhead parking lot. The bridge crosses over Clear Creek which is flowing through Clear Creek Canyon. He said it was his first time riding on this segment of the trail. He also noted that in addition to the more shaded areas of the trail, the bridges often had snow on them. CCR Trailhead parking lot, completely empty. On a weekend! If the weather had been warmer the lot would have been full. Paved parking lot with painted parking space lines on left, sidewalk and railing in center, Clear Creek on right, mountainside in distance.
December 2, 2025 at 5:19 AM
pyxorium.com
Went for a walk this afternoon through Van Bibber Park, and then to the Serene Conservancy where a large bird was flying overhead. A few minutes later I happened upon an interpretive sign which very conveniently had a photo and blurb about the bird. Also stopped by the hay rake.
Fence lines in dry grass area at Van Bibber Park in Arvada, Colorado. Bare deciduous trees in middle ground, North Table Mountain in distance. Hazy blue sky above. Cooper's Hawk flying in sky. Interpretive sign at the Serene Conservancy. Relevant blurb: The Cooper's Hawk can be seen hunting the woodlands and meadows of Serene Conservancy. These medium-sized hawks have relatively short, broad wings and long tails, allowing it to hunt birds and small mammals with great speed through the forest canopy. Adapted to suburbia, Cooper's Hawks can be seen dive bombing birds at feeders. If you see a pile of feathers near your bird feeder, it may be a sign that a Cooper's Hawk has visited. Mechanical detail of John Deere 594 side-delivery hay rake
December 2, 2025 at 2:09 AM
pyxorium.com
New Terrain Brewing Company
December 2016
Outdoor seating area of the New Terrain Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, at night. Fresh snow covers the ground, a wooden fence along the left side of the frame, and the seats and tabletops of a row of picnic tables. A food truck sits behind the picnic tables, a building window and outdoor light is on the right side of the frame. Black sky above.
December 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
pyxorium.com
🐇🐇
"Tale of Two Bunnies" painting by Leah Saulnier A brown rabbit and a white rabbit sitting in a rusted blue clawfoot bathtub, orange wall in background, black and white checker pattern on floor, a carrot, two glasses of carrot juice, and a lit candle on a turnip sitting next to the tub.
December 1, 2025 at 3:12 PM
pyxorium.com
Walked up the Peaks to Plains Trail this am. It was really cold, and more ice is beginning to form on the creek.
Waters of Clear Creek flowing down Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado. Peaks to Plains Trail running alongside the Creek. Several rocks scattered along creek bed, covered in recent dusting of snow. Water flowing around rocks in the creek, icicles forming on the rocks. Accumulating layers of ice forming along creek bank, creating curved line patterns. Accumulating layers of ice forming along creek bank, creating curved line patterns.
November 30, 2025 at 11:13 PM
pyxorium.com
North Table Mountain
November 2013
View of flat mesa top of North Table Mountain from Lookout Mountain, town of Golden below, including Coors U.S.A. Chemical & Scientific Porcelain factory (lower center) and Coors brewery (lower right). Framed by branches of Douglas fir trees, some dusted with snow. Thick layer of clouds and haze over the horizon, thin blue strip of blue sky above. Golden, Colorado
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
pyxorium.com
Rooftop snow
Shingles on rooftop covered in light layer of snow, lower edges of shingles uncovered by snow, outline of shingle pattern visible
November 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
pyxorium.com
I visited the Denver Art Museum today and am filing my report with a photo of The Breadmakers (c. 1965), an oil painting by Emil Bisttram, 1895-1976.
Photo of a framed oil painting. Two women in an adobe pueblo village setting. One woman is kneeling and holding a bread peel with two boules of dough, placing them into the adobe oven. She is wearing a coral colored dress and a blue shawl over her head. The other woman is standing and holding a bowl filled with baked boules of bread. She is wearing a red dress and a gold colored shawl over her head, and appears to be walking away from the oven.
November 30, 2025 at 2:55 AM
pyxorium.com
Snow this am 🏃‍♂️
Small hill under thick gray misty cloud coverage. Layer of snow is clearly visible on bottom half of the hill where there is little or no grass, and also on a trail that is winding up to the tippy top of the hill. Snow is much less visible on top half of hill which is covered in dry grass. Long Lake Regional Park, Arvada, Colorado
November 30, 2025 at 1:51 AM
pyxorium.com
Camp Christmas
November 2023
A room in pink tones, decorated Christmas tree with wrapped presents underneath and large feathers extending from top, fireplace with mantel, floral wallpaper, oval-framed art hanging on walls, semicircular couch seating on shag carpet, life size horse ornament covered in sparkling gold glitter, string lights and drapes above arranged as a tent-like roof. At Camp Christmas in Aurora, Colorado
November 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
pyxorium.com
Hiking at Mayhem Gulch today, up to Centennial Cone Park
Clear Creek winding through Clear Creek Canyon. US Highway 6 and the Peaks to Plains Trail travel along the creek, the trail includes a bridge which crosses over the creek. Dry grass and scattered brush and conifers in foreground, conifer forests on far side of the canyon, cloudy sky above. Clear Creek Canyon Park, Jefferson County, Colorado Dirt trail winding through area of mostly Rocky Mountain junipers (Juniperus scopulorum), with a few Ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa), cloudy sky above with a window of blue peeking through Ponderosa pine cones and needles on forest floor Large rock near dirt trail, ponderosa pine tree situated next to the rock
November 29, 2025 at 1:19 AM
pyxorium.com
Hiking at Nightbird Gulch Trail
November 5, 2023
Foothills with scattered conifers, high country mountains in distance dusted with snow, mostly blue sky with a couple of thin white clouds low on horizon
November 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM