New Years Morning 2013

I decided to preserve tradition and wake up early for New Years Day to head out to Westcliffe for some sunrise photography. I always seem to have good luck at the Silver Cliff Cemeteries; there's just something about all those old headstones and the majestic Sangre De Cristo Range that really resonates with me. It's a spiritual experience. This year, I made fresh tracks through the snow so I was probably the first visitor there in at least a while, and it was bitter cold--at least ten below zero. But I stayed warm running around catching all sorts of cool angles as the sun rose and the Sangres lit up. Here's a sampler! (mouseover for titles)

This is the classic scene from the middle of the cemetery. I knew the moon would be setting to the west because I checked the...
The Assumption

This is the classic scene from the middle of the cemetery. I knew the moon would be setting to the west because I checked the sky charts the night before. Some lingering clouds from the overnight snowfall added to the mysterious mood. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I found this new cool angle on the cemetery as the moon drifted behind some thin clouds.
New Years Moonset

I found this new cool angle on the cemetery as the moon drifted behind some thin clouds. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I ran to the north side of the cemetery to take this panorama as a bit of color appeared in the clouds.
Sangres New Years Pano

I ran to the north side of the cemetery to take this panorama as a bit of color appeared in the clouds. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Alpen Glow appeared on the peaks just before sunrise.
Sangres Glow

Alpen Glow appeared on the peaks just before sunrise. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Closer look at the 13K foot peaks blazing in morning light.
New Years Sangres

Closer look at the 13K foot peaks blazing in morning light. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I could barely contain my excitement as I pulled back to take this panorama of the range and cemetery!
A New Beginning

I could barely contain my excitement as I pulled back to take this panorama of the range and cemetery! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The entrance to the cemetery.
Reverse Assumption

The entrance to the cemetery. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

A wider view of the Assumption Cemetery entrance as the peaks began to really light up.
Backwards Assumption

A wider view of the Assumption Cemetery entrance as the peaks began to really light up. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

As the sun rose, I noticed this great sun pillar develop from all the ice crystals in the sky!
New Years Sunrise

As the sun rose, I noticed this great sun pillar develop from all the ice crystals in the sky! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

I scrambled though the foot of snow on the ground to get a good angle on a sun pillar. Assumption Cemetery, in SIlver Cliff...
New Years Assumption

I scrambled though the foot of snow on the ground to get a good angle on a sun pillar. Assumption Cemetery, in SIlver Cliff COlorado New Years morning 2013. Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

The alpenglow over the Sawatch range well to the west was intense!
Sawatch Light

The alpenglow over the Sawatch range well to the west was intense! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Then, this crazy arc/halo developed to the south!
Halo and Headstones

Then, this crazy arc/halo developed to the south! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Then, I observed an extremely rare 46 degree sundog forming to the west--you can see it on the right side of this pano, along...
Let There Be Lights

Then, I observed an extremely rare 46 degree sundog forming to the west--you can see it on the right side of this pano, along with the 22 degree arc! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Huge (12,000 pixel long) Pano of the whole southern sky--sun pillar, 22 degree arc, 46 degree sundog--WOW!
The Whole Enchilada

Huge (12,000 pixel long) Pano of the whole southern sky--sun pillar, 22 degree arc, 46 degree sundog--WOW! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.

Bighorn grazing on Hardscrabble Pass on the drive baaaaaaack!  Happy New Year, Everyone!
Bighorn

Bighorn grazing on Hardscrabble Pass on the drive baaaaaaack!
Happy New Year, Everyone! Photo © copyright by Stan Rose.