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…)
April 21, 2012 | Categories: Black & Whites, Landscapes, Mountains | Tags: 14ers, black and white landscapes, black and white photography, Blanca, Colorado, Colorado > United States of America, Colorado Fourteeners, Highest Peak in the Sierra Blanca Massif, landscape, landscapes, Mount Blanca, mountains, old barn, old barns, Rocky Mountains 4th Highest Peak, Sangre de Cristo Range, scenics, Sierra Blanca Massif, Sierra Blanca Massif. Elevation 14.345 ft, Silver Efex Pro2 | 4 Comments »
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…)
April 21, 2012 | Categories: Landscapes, Waterfalls, Waterfalls, Creeks, Streams & Lakes | Tags: attractions near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, Colorado > United States of America, frozen waterfall, ice cascade, landscape, landscapes, National Parks, San Luis Valley, USA, waterfall, waterfalls, waterscapes, Zapata Falls | 1 Comment »
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…)
April 13, 2012 | Categories: Waterfalls | Tags: accessible backcountry adventure attractions, attractions near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, frozen waterfall, Great Sand Dunes National Park, ice cascade, landscapes, San Luis Valley, slot canyon, waterfall in rock crevesse, waterfalls, Zapata Falls | 5 Comments »
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…)
April 1, 2012 | Categories: Adventure Photography, Fine Art Photography, Landscapes, Mountains, Outdoor Adventure Photography | Tags: Colorado, dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mosca Colorado, sand, sand dunes, Sangre de Christo Mountains, Star Dune, Star Dune and Sangre de Cristsos | 3 Comments »
How fun that Winter Wonderland has hit Colorado! These are a few photographs taken on a recent snowshoe hike I led for Colorado Mountain Club. (more…)
November 25, 2011 | Categories: Adventure Photography, Landscapes, Lighting, Mountains, Sports | Leave A Comment »
Below is my first test of Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro2 Photoshop plugin for black and white photographs. (more…)
June 20, 2011 | Categories: Black & Whites, Landscapes, Software Reviews | Tags: black and white photography, Colorado, landscapes, Nik Software, Nik Software Silver Efex Pro2, Photoshop Plugins, Silver Efex Pro2, storm clouds, storms, weather | 2 Comments »