Mount Blanca: 4th Highest Peak in the Rockies
Mount Blanca is another surprise attraction I encountered while waiting for ideal lighting to photograph Great Sand Dunes National Park. After shooting at Zapata Falls, I headed into Blanca, the nearest town, somewhat annoyed that I had to go out of my way to fill my gas tank. My annoyance turned quickly to appreciation as I spotted this scene!
Mount Blanca and Old Barn - 4th Highest Peak in the Rocky Mountains
Photographing Mount Blanca, the fourth highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, was exciting already but what really thrilled me about this scene was the old barn in the foreground. That barn, surrounded by still bare trees, with the majestic Sierra Blanca Massif formations setting the backdrop were all perfect elements for a black and white landscape! (more…)
Zapata Falls Frozen Wonderland – Take 2
Here is a full view of the magnificently frozen Zapata Falls, near Great Sand Dunes National Park in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.
Zapata Falls Frozen Full View - San Luis Valley, Colorado
I wish there were a way a photograph could do justice to how splendid this sight was. (more…)
Zapata Falls Frozen Ice Sculpture
Zapata Falls are a spectacular attraction located in Colorado’s San Luis Valley nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park. This photo was taken on a side trip; I was merely planning on killing time waiting for the harsh mid-day sun to ease to late-day light, which is ideal for photographing the contrasts amidst the Dunes. Little did I know how spectacular Zapata Falls is itself, especially in this frozen solid ice sculpture state!
Zapata Falls Frozen Ice Sculpture - San Luis Valley - Colorado
Zapata Falls are located south of the Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center, about 8 miles down Highway 150 (more…)
New Growth Springs From Old Growth
One of the coolest things I’ve ever photographed was shot in 1993 on Cortez Island, British Columbia, a tiny island about half-way up the east coast of Vancouver Island. I was on an outdoor adventure in an old growth forest, and I mean really old; hundreds of years old. I photographed a giant Cedar, about 8 feet in diameter, with a young Cedar sapling growing in front at the base of the old tree. I titled the shot New Growth Springs From Old Growth.
New Growth Springs From Old Growth
Coney Island Colorado
On my recent road trip to take photographs of Great Sand Dunes National Park, I was so excited to get there that nothing was going to stop me on the drive, save for bathroom breaks. That is, until I drove past Coney Island Colorado!
Coney Island Colorado - Historic Roadside Hot Dog Stand in Bailey
I say “drove past” Coney Island Colorado because, at first, my resolve to go directly to Great Sand Dunes without any stops but bathroom breaks was extremely strong, so I didn’t stop. But each tenth of a mile I drove beyond this adorable roadside attraction, the more that the following two thoughts melted my resolve… (more…)
X-Rite ColorMunki Color Calibration System Reviewed
Oh, how I love, love, love my X-Rite ColorMunki color calibrator!
What makes me especially partial to the ColorMunki Design model I use is that it not only color calibrates my computer’s display, but it also calibrates my printer to match my display, making perfect home prints possible on the first try, every try. (more…)
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado
Some things you just have to discover in your own due time. It took me twelve years of living in Colorado to visit and photograph Great Sand Dunes National Park. This weekend I discovered what I’ve been missing, including shots like this of the infamous Star Dune, nobly framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range in the background:
- Star Dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Silly me to have assumed that sand dunes in the middle of, hello, a landlocked state couldn’t be all that impressive… (more…)
