I live in Wellington, Colorado, about 13 miles north of Fort Collins. I am new to the state, and I would like to know if anyone could tell me some good please to go to take nature/wildlife photographs?
Any help you can offer would be very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Stephen
Posted by John De Bord on October 15, 2007 at 1:31 PM
well first, tell us how far you wanna drive??? :D Cuz this whole state is a photo opp lol
Posted by Rene Pirolt on October 15, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Hello Stephen. Welcome to Colorado and welcome to RMNP.
Take a look at the Hotspots link at the top of the page. This should get you started in exploring some of the photo destinations here in Colorado. As John points out, the whole state is very photogenic and it just depends on where and how long you want to go.
I am not familiar with the Fort Collins area, but I am sure some of the photographers living in the area will chime in.
I would recommend mapping out some stuff close to home so you can get out frequently and get a feel for how the light varies and a sense of seasonal change. This is close to an in-between season with fall color winding down and winter on it's way - which also makes for good transitions. Cache La Poudre, Pawnee Grassland, Vedauwoo,and Rocky Mountain National Park each offer varied and excellent opportunities. Go for some walks on the land around the Horsetooth and make changing fall images, look at lots of pics, postcards, local mags, etc. Happy exploring!
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 15, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Dave suggested some excellent places. Kind of continuing on his theme of Cache la Poudre, if you head up Poudre Canyon west of FC on Highway-14, it'll take you all the way to Cameron Pass and into North Park, which is an expansive glacial valley separating the Never Summer and Medicine Bow Mountains from the Park Range farther west. Cameron Pass is loaded with opportunities, from great views of Nokhu Crags right along the highway to more backcountry sites in surrounding wilderness areas (Rawah, Never Summer) and in the Colorado State Forest State Park. If I remember right, it's about 60 miles to the pass, chock full of beauty the entire way.
You could also take Hwy-287 straight into Laramie, WY (about 90 minutes from FC?) and then go west (about 30-35 miles, I think) to shoot in the Snowy Range, an excellent and easily accessible destination. Hwy-130 goes west directly from Laramie right over Snowy Range Pass.
Posted by Roger Rouch on October 15, 2007 at 5:58 PM
The drive up Poudre Canyon always seem to take forever to me, but once your done there are really a lot of photo ops. Todd probably hits the main ones, but I've seem a lot of moose in the Colorado State Forest and the northwest tip of Rocky Mountain Park if your into moose photos. You don't see as many photos of the Rawahs and Never Summer range, but there are spots in those areas that are just as nice as many of the more popular places in the central rockies.
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 16, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Welcome to RMNP, Stephen! Lots of great suggestions already. I lived in Ft. Collins for a few years, then Loveland for a couple. I'll second Dave's recommendation of Pawnee Grasslands. There's a writeup in the hotspots section that will give you an idea of what it's like. I'm not sure about the timing, but it's a great location for bird photography. If you can time your visit with the full moon rising, it's pretty impressive.
Cameron Pass is also a great location for snowshoeing if you're into that. I've been up there several times. The Michigan Ditch is a good snowshoe trail.
Posted by bill meikle on October 16, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Stephen, I live in Fort Collins and echo the comments above, tell us more about what kind of filming you want to do and we can help more. There are ops in town, eg the Raptor centre or the Environmental Learning Centre, the latter has white tail deer and lots of water birds and bald eagles in the winter. Beaver are in the Poudre in town if you have the patience. Kingfishers, snowy egrets at the Riiverbend ponds nature area. We have LOTS of Natural areas. Join the Audubon if you want to know where the birds nest.
Bill
Posted by bill meikle on October 16, 2007 at 7:21 PM
Oh and Loveland has a very active photo club with 86 members, see www.lps.cc if you want company.
Bill
Posted by Don Eason on October 19, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Hi and welcome, Stephen. Where are you from?
I live in Fort Collins (since '68) and can second all the excellent recommendations above. I would also add Lory State Park for wonderful "fractal" shrubs and spring freshets. And once you are in upper Poudre Canyon, check out the Laramie River Road as well.
Hint to Roger and all: you can save some drive time into or out of upper Poudre canyon by going north on US287 to the Forks, then taking CR74E, CR68C, and CR69 to Rustic. Longer distance but higher average speed and less pokey traffic. The unpaved roads (68C and 69) are in excellent shape as they treat the gravel with something that prevents dust and washboarding. Be careful descending precipitous CR69, Pingree Hill. But at this time of year lower Poudre canyon is gorgeous and should not be missed.
Please feel free to email me for more suggestions.
Discussion
9 repliesI live in Wellington, Colorado, about 13 miles north of Fort Collins. I am new to the state, and I would like to know if anyone could tell me some good please to go to take nature/wildlife photographs?
Any help you can offer would be very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Stephen
Take a look at the Hotspots link at the top of the page. This should get you started in exploring some of the photo destinations here in Colorado. As John points out, the whole state is very photogenic and it just depends on where and how long you want to go.
I am not familiar with the Fort Collins area, but I am sure some of the photographers living in the area will chime in.
I would recommend mapping out some stuff close to home so you can get out frequently and get a feel for how the light varies and a sense of seasonal change. This is close to an in-between season with fall color winding down and winter on it's way - which also makes for good transitions. Cache La Poudre, Pawnee Grassland, Vedauwoo,and Rocky Mountain National Park each offer varied and excellent opportunities. Go for some walks on the land around the Horsetooth and make changing fall images, look at lots of pics, postcards, local mags, etc. Happy exploring!
You could also take Hwy-287 straight into Laramie, WY (about 90 minutes from FC?) and then go west (about 30-35 miles, I think) to shoot in the Snowy Range, an excellent and easily accessible destination. Hwy-130 goes west directly from Laramie right over Snowy Range Pass.
Cameron Pass is also a great location for snowshoeing if you're into that. I've been up there several times. The Michigan Ditch is a good snowshoe trail.
Bill
Bill
I live in Fort Collins (since '68) and can second all the excellent recommendations above. I would also add Lory State Park for wonderful "fractal" shrubs and spring freshets. And once you are in upper Poudre Canyon, check out the Laramie River Road as well.
Hint to Roger and all: you can save some drive time into or out of upper Poudre canyon by going north on US287 to the Forks, then taking CR74E, CR68C, and CR69 to Rustic. Longer distance but higher average speed and less pokey traffic. The unpaved roads (68C and 69) are in excellent shape as they treat the gravel with something that prevents dust and washboarding. Be careful descending precipitous CR69, Pingree Hill. But at this time of year lower Poudre canyon is gorgeous and should not be missed.
Please feel free to email me for more suggestions.
Don