Foggy Dunes January 27, 2013

Got up at 4am and drove to the Dunes.  Dense fog and icy roads slowed me down a bit, but I managed to get up to High Dune in time for sunrise. The wind was biting and the sand was rock hard and frosted. A fog bank along the Sangres lifted and swirled around as the sun rose. A very surreal experience!

Full moon sets behind the dunes as I arrive half an hour before sunrise.
Moon Dunes

Full moon sets behind the dunes as I arrive half an hour before sunrise. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Sun rises behind the Sangres
Sunrise

Sun rises behind the Sangres. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Backlit fog bank and dunes.
Silver Lining

Backlit fog bank and dunes. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Interesting light above the fog bank.
Beacon

Interesting light above the fog bank. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Cap cloud over mount herard.
Stormy Weather

Cap cloud over mount herard. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Panorama looking North
Pink Pano

Panorama looking North. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Fog rises up High Dune
Foggy peaks

Fog rises up High Dune. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Fog veils the Dunes.
Misty Dunes

Fog veils the Dunes. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Panorama of the dune field below, as fog creeps up the Medano Creek bed.
Dawn Pano

Panorama of the dune field below, as fog creeps up the Medano Creek bed. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Odd patterns of frost and snow on the dune field below.
Patterns and Mood

Odd patterns of frost and snow on the dune field below. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The swirling fog created rapidly changing patterns of warm morning light on the sand.
Dunes Dawning

The swirling fog created rapidly changing patterns of warm morning light on the sand. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Dramatic light as the fog begins to burn off.
Dunes Drama

Dramatic light as the fog begins to burn off. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Black and white look at the fog streaming up the dunes.
Fog in Black and White

Black and white look at the fog streaming up the dunes. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Wide view of the foggy dunes.
Big Foggy Pano

Wide view of the foggy dunes. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The bright fog makes the dunes look like the surface of some alien planet.
Dunes on the Moon

The bright fog makes the dunes look like the surface of some alien planet. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Crazy Fog Bow!
Fog Bow

Crazy Fog Bow! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Frosted grasses in front of the foggy dunes.
Frosty Dunes

Frosted grasses in front of the foggy dunes. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Snow dusted trees and colorful shrubs from La Veta Pass.
La Veta

Snow dusted trees and colorful shrubs from La Veta Pass. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.