Sunday, September 23, 2012

Day four, and a beautiful little gem...

There was a sky full of clouds, and it had a rainy look. However--my guardian angels provided just a long enough break for me to shoot with bright Sun at Rifle Falls. This wonderful little state park is out in the middle of nowhere, off the I-70. Here are the falls reflected in the river:

Fortunately, while Rifle Falls is another one-trick pony, we can view it from various places:


The roar of the falls booms against the quiet landscape



The falls can be seen from other vantage-points as well:

And, if you are willing to take a short hike:



It isn't organized, of course, but if you want to ride the falls, just take one short step from here!!



Oh, all right. If you really don't want to...




Off first thing tomorrow for the drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, near Denver.

Can't wait for the next adventure!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Three days of wonder...

This has really been quite amazing. On my third day here in the Colorado Rockies, I followed a hotel staffer's tip and raced southward to the San Juan Mountains, between Ouray and Silverton. Long drive, but he was right when he said it would be worth every minute!


I hae miles of video, but trying to upload it defeats the hotel wireless. Saturday night. No matter--I'll show it all when i get home.

As you see, the hills are alive with color! after two mornings priot to today fighting the 'Cold War' at freezing Maroon Bells at dawn, this was a pleasure! Running around in a light shirt even at this altitude!



Oh, did I mention crystal Lake outside of town?


A complete change of scenery tomorrow (have to see what weather develops), then pack tomorrow night to drive to Rocky Mountain National Park Northwest of Denver Monday.






Friday, September 21, 2012

A quick change of plans--that worked!

I began the day freezing in the icy dawn light of Maroon Bells. I'll never be the same.


My goodness, that place is cold at night! I'd say something far more colorful, but this is a family show.

While I was there, another photographer happened to mention that there might be rain coming in a day or two. Instantly, I decided to take off for Kebler Pass near Crested Butte. which is famous for its Fall foliage: It was highly recommended by a friend who lives in Colorado and I didn't want to lose my chance to photograph it to bad weather.



As I climbed through the forests closer to Crested Butte, I saw why it has its reputation:



Everywhere, the aspens were blazing on the the mountainsides as I gained altitude.


As an added bonus, the temperature soared and I felt right at home!  I can now feel my fingers!

More adventures tomorrow--newly-flexible fingers are crossed that the rain holds off.

For two weeks...

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A brief post from Maroon Bells...

It has been a very exhausting couple of days, , but very early this morning I froze to death at Maroon Bells--but did have a close parkind space.

Maroon Bells may be a one-trick pony, but it is a helluva trick!


There are several beautiful angles, and I shot from the first illumination of the Maroons at first dawn light  (freezing my buns right off!!!) until 10:30, when we were running around in polo shirts..

Still, the full sun shots (and especially with the reflection)  are for me the most expressive.  Here's a shot , for example, from the upper meadows:


After the morning at the Bells, I took off up to Independence Pass and the Continental Divide


This is the high point of the Rockies, where water flows West to the Pacific on one side and East toward the Mississippi on the other;


At this time of year, even the 14,000-foot peaks have lost their snow. I didn't mind, because it is less dramatic but survivable to wusses like me.

The drive winds through Lake Valley, and the aspens were  sublime all along the way!



Much more to do, but it's a terrific start!  Now I desperately need some rest!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

YouTube videos from my recent adventures...

It has been a busy ten days since I returned from Utah. First, the annular eclipse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Gis5nCgQU&list=UULq-6JrVItrjLnZtdfZa-2g&index=4&feature=plcp

then I did the Dinosaur Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Gis5nCgQU&list=UULq-6JrVItrjLnZtdfZa-2g&index=4&feature=plcp

This week, the colorful Flaming gorge video was completed  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ETEYO-VvM&list=UULq-6JrVItrjLnZtdfZa-2g&index=2&feature=plcp

Finally, yesterday I completed the video for Dinosaur National Monument  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajp-Ku3cJnY&list=UULq-6JrVItrjLnZtdfZa-2g&index=1&feature=plcp

I'll never forget the view from Harper's Corner!

With the tiny raft so far below--if you can see it, it's the little blue dot right where the curved swoosh of stone reaches the river.


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

OK, not so much...

After the spectacular celestial fireworks of the Perigee Moon and the Ring of Fire eclipse, I confess I was spoiled.  When I researched the transit of Venus, I realized that it might be a letdown after all the hype.



Ooops! Sensationalist media did us in again! There it was, like a mouse crawling across a hockey rink.

I took a number of shots, and then decided that if it didn't come again until 2117 it was fine with me.




I'll stick with the spectacular stuff--This kind of image is worth all it takes to get it!!


And I'll surely hope that I'm still around for the next Ring of Fire!!


That really was a spectacular month, though!!

Friday, June 1, 2012

A YouTube animation of the annular eclipse...

Now that I'm home from Utah, I spent the day yesterday creating a three-minute YouTube video of the entire sequence of the eclipse on May 20  http://www.youtube.com/divexprt  Love that 'Ring of Fire!'