Holy moly what a view this was – and one where I initially thought I missed the show. As I headed to my photo destination Saturday, it became clear that sunrise was going to be a good one. Unfortunately, by the time I got off the highway and found a spot with a decent foreground, the show to the east was over. I was frustrated but as I turned around and looked west, I realized the best was right behind me. A layer of clouds was above and low clouds had descended on the mountain valleys in the distance. Mount Meeker stood proudly in the alpenglow with Longs Peak’s summit being lit up and coming out from behind Meeker’s shadow. Colored by sunrise, the entire scene was just amazing!
Cool sunrise clouds and a sun pillar
My judgement of the sunrise to be on this day last weekend was clearly off or I would have ensured I was in a good position to capture it. Instead, I found myself with a sea of suburbia and its houses between the horizon and I. So, here you go, just the clouds, no McMansions as I cropped them out. ? It really was a pretty scene (sans the houses) with the sun pillar topping it off. Sun pillars most often appear at sunrise and sunset showing as a shaft of light emanating from the sun. Ice crystals falling reflect the sun’s rays creating the effect.
Honoring a former shipmate with a sailor’s sunrise
I schedule my pics for publishing ahead of time and yesterday I set this image to publish today, with a narrative about this veterans memorial and this replica of the USS Colorado (BB-45) that is its main feature. Not long after, I received news that has made me delete that and write a new narrative.
A friend, a fellow sailor, took his life after a battle with depression. While JR and I never served on the same ship, we had that special connection as sailors and veterans. I met him through his wife, Kim, a former soldier, as she and I worked to build a different veterans memorial not far from this one.
Like most sailors, he was a salty dog (yellow shirt!) and we of course hit it off instantly. I haven’t seen him in several years as they had moved to California but we stayed connected online, always wishing each other a happy Veterans Day and calling each other ‘shipmate.’
When I read the news last night, I just cried. This morning, I write this through tears. As I told Kim a bit ago, I am rarely at a loss for words but words are entirely inadequate in times like this. Perhaps it is appropriate, in some little way, that this is the image I had already chosen to share today. It is done so now in honor of him.
JR, I hope you have found the peace up there that you could not find here. You shall be missed. Fair winds and following seas, my friend and shipmate. ?
Top Shots 2023 – Landscapes
From the Great Plains to the rarified air of 14ers, I was priviledged over my past photo year to see some extraordinary sights. Here are my personal top 25 landscapes. I hope you enjoy the view – I know I did when I took them!
Clouds pop at sunrise on the Colorado plains
As I was getting ready to depart for my photo drive Sunday, I thought perhaps sunrise could be a good one so planned my route accordingly. Arriving at my sunrise spot, I decided the show wasn’t going to be very good after all so I moved on. Well, that was a mistake.
It soon became apparent that Mother Nature was just delaying things a bit and the colors really started to become impressive. I quickly found an alternative location, grabbed my camera and ran across a field to get in position to capture the show. One particular bank of clouds stretched north to south and really looked awesome going across the frame.
I initially disliked the powerlines below but have decided I kind of like how they draw your eye toward the horizon. Lesson learned to not be too quick to diss Mother Nature – or powerlines. 😉
Orange and blue make for a gorgeous sunrise
Early last Sunday morning I was sitting at my computer doing some work, not paying attention to the time. I got a notification that my friend Lori had posted a picture so I checked it out and it showed the early stages of what looked to be a fantastic sunrise. Quickly I wrapped up my work, grabbed my camera bag, and raced to one of my favorite area open spaces.
Once there, I jumped out of my truck and sprinted to the other side of the pond, knowing exactly where I wanted to be for the show. Thankfully, I made it just in time to capture some crazy cool looking clouds all lit up in orange with deep blue above and both reflecting on the water’s surface. Well worth the rush!
Pastel colored clouds at sunrise and the setting moon
With other commitments, I won’t be making many photo excursions this holiday weekend. However, I got lucky yesterday and a nice one presented itself as I went outside to drink my coffee on the patio. The rising sun had colored the few clouds that were above in beautiful reds and oranges. Right by them, the waning gibbous moon looked bright and absolutely resplendent. I really loved all the detail that is seen in the moon.
Sunrise sets a pond on fire
From a stunning sunrise a few weeks ago. I previously shared the larger view of the scene that morning. Here, a bit more of a closeup, zoomed in on the scene as the sun started to pop over the horizon. The reds and oranges were stunning and if you look close, there is even a pelican out for a morning swim. I’ll take all the scenes like this I can get!
Sunrise reflections on the pond
Let’s call this #SunriseSaturday – taken last Sunday. 😉
As usual, the rest of my camping crew was opting to sleep in and I was up with the dawn. I didn’t mind though, seeing the scene that was starting to unfold and only having to walk a short ways from the campsite to capture pictures of it. The oranges and reds were gorgeous and there was just a hint of a sun pillar with the show reflected on the water’s surface.
Starburst sunrise on Easter eve
I was having a heck of a time getting out the door promptly yesterday morning and looking east I knew it was going to be a good show. While I missed the best part of sunrise, I did manage to arrive at my destination just in time to catch the sun bursting over the horizon. I wish you a very blessed Easter. He is risen!