I was hoping for a better light show in the clouds above but overall, am pretty pleased with this capture. This is an iconic location and quite famous. When the sun rises, it illuminates the rock faces and they seem to glow from within. It is an absolutely beautiful scene and one that is quintessentially Colorado.
Garden of the Gods soon after sunrise
Last weekend we were down in Colorado Springs and I took the opportunity to finally photograph this geological icon. Unfortunately the sky didn’t really show much color at sunrise but soon after, I headed to the ‘back side’ of the area and found some nice scenes.
I really liked this one with the edges of the rocks lit by the sun on the other side and the nice looking clouds above. On the right and off into the distance, you can see Cheyenne Mountain, home of NORAD.
Rushing mountain waters
When I visit Mount Evans, Colorado, I almost always stop and visit Chicago Creek on my way down off the 14,000+ foot high peak. It always provides some nice photo ops including this one last week.
Using a couple of ND filters, I slowed the shutter speed way down to blur the water while maintaining focus on the logs that had fallen. Kind of a fun shot and I really like it in black and white.
Sunrise and a sundial at 14,000 feet
My first trip to the top of Mount Evans yesterday and it started off with this gorgeous scene before me. Nothing to complain about for sure. Well, other than the 35 degree temperature and 40mph winds. 😉
That is of course expected at that altitude and while I was prepared for the conditions, it was a bit of a shock to the system after getting used to much milder weather at lower elevations.
Storms over the Collegiate Peaks
I am back from some much needed R & R in San Isabel National Forest overlooking Buena Vista, Colorado. I didn’t take many pics as family and relaxation were higher priorities but the skies in many of the evenings demanded attention.
This one from this past Friday. Mount Princeton is front and center. If I am not mistaken, Mount Yale is the tallest peak to the right then moving back left of Princeton, Mount Antero and Mount Shavano are the two most prominent on that side.
No matter their names, the view was awesome! Oh, and believe it or not, the next night we had snow!
The golden plains and snow-capped mountains
It has been quite a winter and spring here in Colorado.
We received a healthy dose of snow at lower elevations while the mountains received more than they have seen in years. In fact, the snow continues to fall up there, ensuring a beautiful view from the east. At lower elevations, the moisture has the foliage looking beautiful and lush.
This past Sunday I took in this scene of the plains in their resplendent spring colors (and a few deer) while in the background, the mountains are covered in a blanket of white.
Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Bison herd on the Great Plains with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains behind
The bison were kind enough to set themselves up in a good spot to capture this shot that encapsulates one of the reasons I love this great state.
Colorado’s sheer variety of terrain provides for some stunning views from the quiet and remoteness of the plains in the east to the imposing mountains to the west. The latter half of winter was cold and snowy here as can be seen in this image.
The remnants of a blizzard and its snow dot the foreground while the mountains are covered in copious amounts of the white stuff. I love this place!
Colorado hot air balloon flies high with Mount Meeker below
Jumping back to this series of images from October. My photo day had been going very poorly with nary a click of the shutter. I was about to give up and head for home when I came across this balloon flying across the Front Range.
A recent snow had capped the Rocky Mountains in white and it was an extraordinarily clear day. I spent more than an hour racing after the balloon grabbing dozens of images of it. Here, it had gained some altitude and below and slightly to the left, the monstrous 13,911 foot high Mount Meeker stood tall and proud.
Many folks think it is Longs Peak that they see from the Denver area and look toward Rocky Mountain National Park but, in fact, Meeker stands in front of Longs when viewed from the east.
Happy birthday to the always amazing Yellowstone National Park
It was 147 years ago today that this place became the world’s first national park. From its landscapes to its geothermal features to the wildlife, it is nearly 3,500 square miles of the most beautiful country you could imagine.
I have memories of the park from when I was five years old up to two years ago when this image of the Lower Yellowstone Falls was taken.
Naturalist John Muir said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” That is especially true of this place.
A beautiful morning on the Colorado Front Range
If it looks like it was cold when this picture was taken, well, believe me it was. The sun hitting the Rocky Mountains over a frozen lake was gorgeous though and the cold couldn’t deter me. It was a very peaceful, calming scene and one of the fantastic views we enjoy here in the Centennial State. Beautiful blue skies with whispy clouds lie above. Below, the mountains with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak behind it to the bottom right.