Monthly Archives: July 2014

Morning on Shrine Pass

Shrine Panorama : Prints Available

The mosquitos were murder!

I had limited time to enjoy the wildflower peak this season in the Colorado Rockies; one weekend to be exact. My original plan was to head for the San Juans, but the weather forecast (as detailed in my e-book!) and time constraints led me to one of my favorite go-to spots for flowers, Shrine Pass near Vail. Shrine isn’t the most dramatic mountain location, but the views are wide open and the flowers are thick! After hitting the trail at 4am, I listened to the coyotes cry as I made my way to the top of Shrine Ridge. Sunrise did not disappoint!

Shrine Ridge,sunrise,Colorado

Morning has Broken : Prints Available

Beautiful sunrise from Shrine Ridge in July.

Shrine View : Prints Available

Looking northeast from Shrine Ridge.

The mosquitos were not as nice. I couldn’t stay in one spot for more than 10 seconds before thick clouds of the blood-suckers would surround my head. This gave me more incentive to keep moving for new views!

Shrine Ridge,Colorado,sunrise,paintbrush

Shrine Paintbrush : Prints Available

Paintbrush glow in morning light on Shrine Ridge.

I spent another couple hours hiking the ridge while the light was still good. I didn’t see anyone else until I started hiking back down the trail; then I encountered several groups of hikers and photographers headed up the trail. They missed a great sunrise!

Shrine Sunflowers : Prints Available

Sunflowers light up in morning light.

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Evans Tradition

Mount Evans, Colorado,sunset,Sawtooth

Sawtooth Sky : Prints Available

View from the edge of Sawtooth Ridge at sunset.

Every year in late June or early July, I make a trip up to Mount Evans for a sunrise-sunset shoot from the upper reaches of the mountain, which is one of the highest peaks in the state at 14,265 feet high. It’s a bit of a tradition. Shooting sunrise or sunset this time of year is a bit of a 50/50 proposition thanks to the monsoon. If the monsoon is active, sunset is usually a washout as storms surround the summit, often with lots of lightning. But the increase in storms can also bring more clouds for sunrise, whereas in a weaker monsoon, clear skies are almost a given for sunrise. I’ve had some success in past trips at sunrise, so this year I targeted a break in the monsoon for a chance at a nice sunset, which has eluded me in previous years.

Pleasant Dreams : Prints Available

Sunset closeup.

My initial plan was to hike out to the Sawtooth, a jagged ridge that separates Evans from
nearby Mount Bierstadt, another 14,000 foot peak, for sunset. I got out to the start of the Sawtooth, and it suddenly occurred to me how crazy it would be to have to scramble back through this field of talus and boulders in the dark, even with a headlamp to guide my way. There is some tricky exposed climbing in this area. So, I decided to backtrack to s higher point closer to the summit of Evans. I got back there just in time for a real nice sunset, complete with sun rays and a nice red glow!

Mount Evans, Colorado,sunset,Sawtooth

Last Light from Evans : Prints Available

Panorama at sunset from near Mount Evans summit.

Mount Evans, Colorado,sunset

Fire on the Rocks : Prints Available

Looking southeast.

The next morning, as expected, there was not a cloud in the sky. So, I needed to focus on shots that required minimal sky. I decided to hike down from Summit Lake on the Summit Lake trail. There were lots of little tarns along the way, and a nice stream cascading down the mountainside. It was the perfect location for sunrise, and the wildflowers were pretty abundant.

Mount Evans, Colorado,sunrise,Summit Lake

Summit Lake Trail Sunrise : Prints Available

Outlet Stream from Summit Lake at sunrise.

Mount Evans, Colorado,sunrise,summit lake

Alpine Sunrise : Prints Available

Beautiful meadow near Summit Lake at 12,000 feet.

I headed back before the crowds of tourists descended on the summit. It was a great evening and morning to be out on the mountain!

Path to Evans : Prints Available

Mount Evans at sunrise from outlet stream of Summit Lake.

Squeak! : Prints Available

Pika

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Last Chase

Kansas,Sharon Springs,ligthtning,sunset

Electric Transitions : Prints Available

Lightning at sunset, east of Sharon Springs, KS.

A couple weeks ago, I had one last chance to get out to the plains in hopes of catching a tornado this season. But, as the trend was all season, I chased some supercells that were tornado-warned, but just couldn’t get the right combo of ingredients to produce the elusive twister. After putting in another 600 miles or so of driving, out to west-central Kansas and back, the highlight of the trip was an electric storm that really intensified as the sun set. All of my ‘keepers’ were shot in that short time right before sunset to about half hour afterwards.

Shocking Brown II : Prints Available

Great light show in west Kansas

Electric Farming : Prints Available

Interesting stormy scene.

Red Skies at Night : Prints Available

Incredible Sunset in western Kansas.

Was it worth a long day of driving? I dunno, but it was a pretty cool sunset, and a nice light show! I may have to head back out in August for my annual sunflower-and-lightning shoot.

Kansas,storm,sunset

Shocking Brown : Prints Available

Interesting colors after sunset with tornadic storm in the distance.

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