A December to Remember

This has been one special December for yours truly. I've never been out as much in the 12th month as I have been this year, and the conditions have been so right up my alley, it's been hard not to come home with some keepers. A case in point, and hopefully not my last foray of the year, was this morning down in the San Luis Valley. Yep, while some people were taking pictures off their balconies while still wearing their jammies, I was bracing myself against a stiff wind and a temp hovering in the minus-teens. I caught alpenglow on Mount Lindsey, and while the light was sweet, there wasn't much in the way of foreground material or clouds. Plus, I was shooting in a stiff breeze with my 100-400 zoomed out, which is not a good combo. Some of my alpenglow shots were a bit soft. (I blame Bush.)

I hung out for a while anyways, and noticed one little wisp of cloud hanging over the valley. Apparently in honor of Cloudman being in the 'hood, the wisp began to expand.

It was a very dynamic scene, allowing me to shoot many different takes on the concept.

This is just a taste of the many different comps I was able to get as the clouds continued to expand.

As you can see, there was a lot going on!

Eventually I decided to head back towards La Veta Pass, but due to the clouds now obscurring the view of these peaks, there wasn't much to shoot. Add to that the now-gale force winds whipping through the area, and I was ready to head for home. Mother Nature must've thought I needed just a bit more good fortune, so she provided me with a cool sundog to cap off my morning shoot.

THE END

Todd, your hurtin' me man! I think you have been hoggin' all the clouds for your self dude . Not much of anything over on this side of the hills. Love that last one! Intersting flare too. What causes that?
JK

Todd,

This has definately been your month!!! While most people are going into hibernate mode you are going off!

Great job again with an excellent set of images again.

Wow Todd, you've definitely been on a roll. They all kick butt, but I especially like #'s 4 and 5. The sun dogs on the last one are very cool too. Like you, I've had a blast this month. I'm posting this from Bosque del Apache and the epic conditions I encountered down here has been a great way to end the month (and year).

Dang!

Good stuff.

nice shots mister Cloudman. is #2 and #4 of the Blanca Masif?

The second to last is best. You want epic conditions? sneak up to the top of Pikes Peak on Sunday, when the winds are blowing at 100 mph.

You go gir..... Uhh.... congrats on a great month. We've all enjoyed your shots, some of us vicariously!!

Ow! My head hurts! Wow!

Great shots, but #5 is my favorite. Great conditions to enhance your "Cloudman" status.

Awesome stuff, particularly that last one with the sun dog. Glad to see you're getting out and shooting a lot of great photos, dude!

Great series, Todd, thanks for sharing!

Wow, great stuff!

That's a very impressive portfolio for one day. Four and five have that magical clouds leaving some to the imagination feel.

#4 rocks! Beautiful!

the 5th shot has the 5th element, nice bloooos!

You have been on a roll lately, Todd. Keep up the great work!

Sweet shots Todd! Look like you had some fun. I like #4 and 5 the best.

Jeeez, and I thought winter was Adamus' best season. You've been collecting snow shots anyone should be envious of. Congrats on a successful month.

Yep, this is why winter is my favorite time of year. #4 is an epic shot. They're all fantastic, but that one just sings to me.

Very nice.

Great images! I really like #5