Autumn Beaver Pond

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 28, 20132,143 views16 comments

A virtually perfect mirror reflection on a beaver pond one autumn morning in the Willow Creek Valley of central Alaska. Two beavers were active just upstream from this spot and, soon after making this image, came cruising by where I stood, breaking the glassy, still water. After several passes and still unsure what this odd tripod/human looking contraption was, the beavers broke the quiet of the morning with their tail slaps. After several more minutes of watching them and taking in the beauty and solitude of this pond and hillside, I packed up the view camera and left the beaver to their home.
An image from my days living in Alaska that I scanned a few days ago. Would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on this.
4x5, 210mm, Velvia. Flatbed scan, TK masks and such.

large size image provided as well.
Thanks.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on October 28, 2013 at 11:48 PM

Stunning shot, Vance, love the layers in this one.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on October 29, 2013 at 12:20 AM

Beautiful reflection Vance with such wonderful layers and colors in it. The large version is a treat to look at. Excellent job here.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Glenn Tunaley on October 29, 2013 at 1:26 AM

Thats an amazing reflection. The large version is pretty sweet

Registered on March 1, 2013, 19 Posts, 93 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on October 29, 2013 at 2:23 AM

Zack said it all: "Stunning shot".

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on October 29, 2013 at 7:20 AM

Vance, I especially like the bottom of the reflection it adds that sense of depth to the shot. I wonder what this would have looked like if you could have caught the same plane of spruce on the top.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on October 29, 2013 at 11:41 AM

Those colors! Stunning....

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on October 29, 2013 at 11:50 AM

Vance, I'm not sure I've ever seen a perfect reflection such as this one. Amazing take on this glassy pond. Wonderful look from Alaska.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 29, 2013 at 12:02 PM

A magic carpet of color and light. Tapestry was my first thought and it still strikes me that way after several minutes of looking at it. Beautifully composed, captured and crafted image. Top notch!

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 29, 2013 at 2:52 PM

Vance, This is just beautiful! I love the combination of colors and that reflection is absolutely amazing!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Moore on October 29, 2013 at 4:48 PM

This is really sweet. I love the perfect mirror of a reflection. I'm not on my calibrated monitor, but the tree trunks seem to have a lot of magenta tint? I'll look again when I get home. Strong work!

Registered on January 12, 2010, 84 Posts, 388 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on October 29, 2013 at 6:35 PM

Amazing layers and colors. I like the water reflecting more layers than the actual land. Such clarity and richness here. Great shot, plus a nice story to go with it.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on October 29, 2013 at 9:35 PM

Stunning color and details, especially in the large version, Vance. You gotta love that reflection. This would make for an awesome jigsaw puzzle!

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on October 29, 2013 at 9:57 PM

This could be the most amazing reflection image I've ever seen, Vance. Double wow!

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 30, 2013 at 8:15 AM

Nancy Lea said it well, a tapestry of color, light. and texture. Stunning image Vance.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 31, 2013 at 1:49 AM

Wow! I love it even without the reflection, but the reflection makes it amazing!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on October 31, 2013 at 10:06 PM

Yet another great reflection shot among others I've seen posted in ESS lately Vance! Love the layers of contrasting color, and the sense of depth this image conveys. And I'll also agree with Zack, stunning is an apt description!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments