A few from RMNP, Colorado

This panorama features the Mount Meeker massif with Estes Cone and Twin Sisters to the right - and Wild Basin on the left. In the foreground can be seen the South Saint Vrain river canyon leading away from Wild Basin east toward the great plains. Click to enlarge.



Four images of the full moon rising through thick clouds and mist, shot with the 1D MKII plus 1.4 extender plus 500mm f5.6 IS L lens = 910mm focal length:









And some lightning from a hellish storm we had to endure:



Conditions in the park, specifically moisture related, are very good. The wildflowers were still going strong last week - not usually the case in August. The weather has been typical monsoon stuff for weeks but may now be giving way to the beautiful and stable fall weather pattern typical of the Central Rockies. I'll add a few other representative shots from my recent time in the park as they are processed. The dramatic weather, especially the afternoon build-up and thunder storms, made for excellent photo opportunities.

More lightning:

Hey Buddy,

The lightning shots are cool, of course, but I particularly like the pano. Nicely done. How many shots stitched is it? Also, the moon shots are very nice. LOL, I guess they all are, how about them apples?

James

Thanks James. Only two full frames for that pano. Credit RMNP for the grand view. Here's a different take on part of that larger scene. It's a blend of two differently exposed captures emphasizing the warmth and peace of this place.



The following scene preceeded #1 in the moon series above by maybe four minutes:

Here's Mt. Meeker's summit ridge, shot with the same rig I used for the full moon:

Hey Buddy,

Thanks for sharing. I have a friend who moved to Colorado last year and is now working for your government. He recently invited me out to Denver. He told me that RMNP is only about two hours away. I might take him up on it next year if the $$ is there. Thanks for sharing.

James

Buddy,
we'll be in Greeley next year in April for the Rottie National and I hope to be able to spend the week after doing some shooting in the Rockies. I'll be asking for advice on where and how.

Jim

Glad to help if I can. It's a smaller park, akin to Zion in that way, but it's a gem and like any National Park, with some research and pre-planning it's a photographer's paradise.

BTW, here's how green it is right now (mid-August). We've been blessed with a lot of precipitation.

Beautiful photos. Are you in Estes Park? I lived in Boulder for about 15 years and spent a lot of time in Estes and the mountains. The ruggedness of the rock and the old trees reminds me of an old soul, with tons of wrinkles and character. And I remember those lightning storms too!

Diana

Quote:

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Are you in Estes Park? The ruggedness of the rock and the old trees reminds me of an old soul, with tons of wrinkles and character.

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Diana - Close! Allenspark area, SE corner of RMNP. Very perceptive description too. It's a unique environment and the lightning is definitely dangerous, especially given how quickly it can appear. Also daunting is the wind in the winter - it can be unreal at times. In fact it's the winter wind that keeps me from living up there year 'round. If you liked the other shots then you'll probably enjoy this one too (from the same series):



If you look carefully, you can find the above detail, and the Mt. Meeker summit detail, in the panorama at the top of this thread.