Was gonna shoot the dunes at sunset Wed, after spending some time at Zapata, but the 50+ mph winds convinced me that sand-blasting my face was not the way to go, so i opted for 'Plan B': the San Luis Lakes. While there were dozens of people at the dunes, i had the lakes all to myself--it was deserted! I would have really liked to explore, but there are some wildlife closures that prevent that. Here's a series of shots i took before and after sunset, after i spent some time scouting the lakeshore. Lots of Sangre shots recently, so figured id keep the streak goin. C&C Welcome!
Heres after sunset, looking east. took some maneuvering to avoid manmade structures. There was some very thin cirrus clouds that spread out over the sky, and it just lit up after the sun went down, this was at peak color.
Finally, some mountain wave clouds (kelvin-helmholz for those in the know) over the Sangres. Could have cropped the sides (i cropped the bottom) but i prefer the wide view. This is lighter than it actually appeared (~30 min after sunset), i used a 15 s exposure here.
Posted by Roger Rouch on March 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM
All a little different and all are really nice. If I had to pick one over the others, I think I would go for the third one. But I'd rather not have to pick.
Posted by John Klotz on March 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Very nice series Stan! Tough to pik a fav but I like #2 and #3. Speaking of the Sangres, I was down at Westcliffe yesterday. I will post some shots later.
John
Posted by Carol Hyman on March 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Stan, I'm glad I don't have to make a selection among your shots; they are all just a bit different from each other.
I do wish you would make it to the dunes. I had hoped to go this spring but I'm spending my time weeding and mulching. Little did I know this piece of property was going to take such a time toll. At least when I lived in the mountains, I could ignore my yard where Aspens grew as weeds.
Don, thanks; this is all one location, the San Luis Lakes, small lakes near Alamosa in the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado. The mountains north and east of the lakes are the Sangre De Cristo Range, which runs through eastern New Mexico and southeast Colorado.
Posted by Dan Walters on March 30, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Nice images. Really like the colors in the third image. Very peaceful.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on March 30, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Stan... I love the title!!! You were right !! You made the right decision!!! They all are amazing. Having been there I think your shots are beautifully done!! regards, Rajeev.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on March 30, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Stan you DA Man!!!
Wow, I love these shots and now the Mtns. are calling me again and of course I 'Must' Go!
I have been looking for bodies of water which could reflect the Sangres. This spot is perfect! Not to mention the Sticken' dunes are right next door!
Although the pink one has the best sky color the last one with Crestone and the glassy blue water looks really great as well. It reminds me of a place in the Tetons with the nice big lake and range behind it.
- Derek
Posted by Grant Collier on March 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I almost went to Zapata, but the sands were a callin me and it was a treat. While the wind wasn't quite 20 kmph is was brisk at time and i must admit I got a pretty good Micro-derm treatment courtesy of Momma Nature.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on March 30, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Very nice series Stan. I'd have to imagine that the lake could produce some stunning reflections if it were ever calm.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on March 30, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Fantastic collection Stan. If I had to pick (and it is an incredibly hard choice) I think I would choose #2 because of the comp, despite the wind acting on the edge of the reflection. #4 isn't too shabby either. Nicely done!!!
Posted by Timothy Tonge on March 30, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Very very nice. Looks like you made the correct decision even if the winds werent blowing.
BTW, was caught up top of dunes when the winds came up a year ago, painful to say the least and took several dismantles and cleanings of my tripod to get the sand out... fortunately, and I knew it at the time, my D2x was going in for service immediately after the trip, had it not been scheduled, I may have had to send it in as well.
All of them are winners in my book, Stan. Great shots
Posted by D J Kuklinski on March 30, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Great work Stan. The second one os my fave.
Posted by Les Barstow on March 31, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Mmmarvelous! If I had to choose, I'd be torn between #2 and #3, but they're all great.
Derek, San Luis Lakes SP is a great place to take reflection shots of the Sangres; the other good place I know of is the Blanca Wetlands area, but it has limited availability. Alamosa NWR is good for reflections of Blanca, but is too far away for the rest of the range, IMHO.
The lead shot, with the golden grasses is stunning.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 31, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Great collection, Stan! I finally have an annual state parks pass this year, so I won't be so quick to pass up San Luis Lakes when I'm flying by at 100mph.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on April 1, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I like the first photo the most. I would like it even more if you cropped ~1/4 off the bottom, thus emphasizing the mountains some more. That would be an amazing pano. Thanks for posting.
Posted by Art Escobado on April 3, 2008 at 3:05 AM
Really really nice collection-the first shot is WOW!
Discussion
30 repliesJohn
I do wish you would make it to the dunes. I had hoped to go this spring but I'm spending my time weeding and mulching. Little did I know this piece of property was going to take such a time toll. At least when I lived in the mountains, I could ignore my yard where Aspens grew as weeds.
Ciao
Carol
Wow, I love these shots and now the Mtns. are calling me again and of course I 'Must' Go!
I have been looking for bodies of water which could reflect the Sangres. This spot is perfect! Not to mention the Sticken' dunes are right next door!
Although the pink one has the best sky color the last one with Crestone and the glassy blue water looks really great as well. It reminds me of a place in the Tetons with the nice big lake and range behind it.
- Derek
I almost went to Zapata, but the sands were a callin me and it was a treat. While the wind wasn't quite 20 kmph is was brisk at time and i must admit I got a pretty good Micro-derm treatment courtesy of Momma Nature.
BTW, was caught up top of dunes when the winds came up a year ago, painful to say the least and took several dismantles and cleanings of my tripod to get the sand out... fortunately, and I knew it at the time, my D2x was going in for service immediately after the trip, had it not been scheduled, I may have had to send it in as well.
Derek, San Luis Lakes SP is a great place to take reflection shots of the Sangres; the other good place I know of is the Blanca Wetlands area, but it has limited availability. Alamosa NWR is good for reflections of Blanca, but is too far away for the rest of the range, IMHO.