Here are a few new images from some of my recent travels. Rather than hold these until I have a larger collection ready, I decided to post this small group. I hope you enjoy them!
 |
|
|
Colorado has a great many scenic locations that are easily accessible. In fact, some places you can literally drive right up to. Other gems take a little more effort to reach. These little alpine pools are a nine mile hike into the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. A bit of a challenge to reach, but unquestionably worth the effort. Right at timberline, these pools sit on a shelf overlooking the rugged contours of the Indian Peaks. This is the kind of stuff I love as a nature photographer.
During the couple of days I spent at this spot, the weather was mostly cloudy, making the good light very elusive. Still, interesting light did appear very briefly, sometimes for just a few seconds at a time, and I tried my best to capture some of those moments. These images are among my favorites from this picturesque place. |
|
|
|
|
This spring season in Colorado has been marked by tremendous precipitation. The lakes in the mountains are quite full, making for some fantastic photographic opportunities. The following are a small sampling of the beautiful conditions in Colorado's high country.
|
|
|
|
|
Autumn is a special time for nature photographers. The beautiful colors on display during the fall season can provide a real feast for the eyes. This fall I had the terrific opportunity to spend a number of days exploring Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming. Most of the images in this gallery are from that trip. I have visited here a number of times over the years, but not for very long each time, and never in the fall. Although the weather could have been more favorable for photography most of the week, I still had a great time exploring and photographing places I had not been before. I also managed to spend a day enjoying the often surreal beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Upon returning home, I enjoyed a few days in the beautiful Elk Mountains here in Colorado. A few images from there are interspersed into this gallery.
|
|
|
|
|
Changing weather can make for some wonderful photographic opportunities. I especially enjoy the chance to photograph when storms are clearing. The images in this gallery were taken one enjoyable day in Rocky Mountain National Park when a rain and snow storm that lasted a couple of days was beginning to break. I just love the mountains, and to witness them surrounded by ever changing clouds and light is always a memorable experience.
|
|
|
|
|
Rocky Mountain National Park is easily one of my favorite places to visit and photograph. Each year I make a couple of backpacking trips in the park, and I always look forward to them. This time I spent a couple of days exploring and photographing below Notchtop Mountain. These images were all taken at sunrise and hopefully provide a taste of the beauty of this area.
|
|
|
|
|
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is truly one of the most unique places in Colorado. I've been visiting the dunes since I was a little kid and I never get tired of this place. Photographically speaking, there are endless possibilities here. The main challenge is the elements. On this visit, the wind was positively brutal. It's tough to photograph in strong wind, but add to that getting blasted with sand, and you have a tough day ahead. Still, I'm just too stubborn to let that stop me, so I persevered through an evening of hiking and photographing in relentless wind. As you might imagine, I did not take too many photos, but I think this small group of images is a fine enough reward for some fun but hard work, and a pleasant reminder of what a special place this is.
|
|
|
|
|
Winter photography presents all kinds of unique photographic opportunities. As ice in frozen mountain lakes reacts to the elements, cracks begin forming. This results in all kinds of interesting shapes and designs in the ice. It's no surprise then that ice fractures are a favorite subject for many nature photographers. With a little time and the right light, one can find seemingly endless abstract shapes and forms.
The following images are the result of a late afternoon hike up to beautiful Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. This area is one of my favorite winter destinations. These images are an example of the beauty of winter that may be easily overlooked, if not simply stepped over. But those willing to soak in the beauty of nature will find all sorts of little gems. |
|
|
|
|
This group of photos are from a couple of evenings spent on Loveland Pass. The elevation is right at 12,000 feet. Being above timberline provides you with wonderful views all around, but also exposes you to the elements. Both evenings I photographed here were exremely windy and very cold. While the cold is easier to deal with, it is very challenging, to say the least, to photograph in strong wind. Although I did my best to block the wind from my camera and tripod, a number of images suffered from camera shake and were ultimately unusable. After nearly being blown off a ridge, I decided to take what I had and head for more hospitable surroundings.
Also included in this group of photos is an images from a brief snowshoeing trip I made recently along the North Ten Mile Creek in the Arapaho National Forest. |
|
|
|