That is some spectacular cloud - what power! And ditto what Scott said on the second shot. Even without the rainbow, that light would make the shot.
Posted by Grant Collier on June 10, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Who set off an A-bomb in the San Luis Valley? I've only seen one cloud similar to this in my life and it still didn't compare to this one. I'd also like to see more foreground, but am guessing there was a landfill in the foreground or you couldn't go any wider. But with a cloud like that it doesn't matter much.
Thanks everyone. First, I actually cropped out the foreground to go for a minimalist look. Second, when I took this, my first thought was to headline the post "DUCK & COVER!!!"
I saw some clouds like this over the Spanish peaks when I was driving back from the sand dunes last weekend. For some reason I was in a hurry to get home and didn't stop to take a picture. I was thinking of post titled "Spanish Peaks Erupt" or something like that. Great shots, btw.
When y'all started talking about what Todd cut out of the foreground, my first thought was a McDonalds!
Both of those are stellar. The cloud in the first image just screams "power". I think the only way you could make more of a statement with it would be with a few dozen lighting bolts crawling out the bottom!
Posted by Todd Caudle on June 10, 2007 at 10:52 PM
Based on suggestions from the group, I've "improved" the cloud image.
Posted by Les Barstow on June 11, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Very nice.... Where'd you "borrow" the lightning from? It's not bad...
LOL - nice shots Todd. That cloud is amazing in the first and the light is equally impressive in the second...
I like the lightning - looks more natural than some HDR shots I've seen...
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 11, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Cool cloud, Todd. I saw some of the same, not quite as defined, while at the Sand Dunes this weekend. I haven't reviewed my shots yet to see if I got anything to share.
Spectacular cloud! Reminds me a bit of the movie Independence Day. All you need under the rainbow now, is a Buddhist temple, ala Galen Rowell.
Posted by Craig Schultz on June 12, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Todd, terrific storm capture. It definitely makes you feel small in comparison. Do you know if it did any damage as it went though the area, as it definitely looks like it means business?
Craig
Posted by Laurent Baig on June 12, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Wowee, Todd. I especially like the lightning strikes, snicker snicker. I think you should also add in an image of Galen Rowell and Ansel both flipping the cloud off, heehee!
Posted by Jon Leibowitz on June 13, 2007 at 10:54 AM
As usual, I'm a little late to the party but I still wanted to pay proper respects to Captain Cloud.
The SLV cloud is both beautiful and terrifying. Did you stick around to see what happened next? Can anyone confirm the existence of life in the valley after that incident? (Although there wasn't much there to begin with...)
It's always nice to see both green foliage and snow on the mountains at the same time, but the addition of the rainbow makes this image spectacular!
Discussion
23 repliesMel-
Love the cloud shot! I've been cloud hunting all spring and have found nothing presentable as of yet.
Very nice light in the second image.
Both of those are stellar. The cloud in the first image just screams "power". I think the only way you could make more of a statement with it would be with a few dozen lighting bolts crawling out the bottom!
I like the lightning - looks more natural than some HDR shots I've seen...
Nice touch with the lightning!
Craig
The SLV cloud is both beautiful and terrifying. Did you stick around to see what happened next? Can anyone confirm the existence of life in the valley after that incident? (Although there wasn't much there to begin with...)
It's always nice to see both green foliage and snow on the mountains at the same time, but the addition of the rainbow makes this image spectacular!