Blue Bells

Much to the chagrin of the half dozen pissed off tourists who I passed at breakneck speed yesterday (esp. the Texan in the big red truck), I was the first civilian on top of Independence Pass this year. A 9 News van was up there, and as the June snow fell and the cold wind blew, I thought about asking if they wanted a sound byte, but figured they probably wouldn't air my "Al Gore is full of shiat!" statement anyway.

Figuring conditions at the Bells might produce some fog after two days of rain, I spent the night up there and captured this shot. This was taken 25 minutes before sunrise (I even had to clone out a couple of stars), and shortly after taking this and a few others, the fog vanished.

But who needs fog when you get sunrise colors like this?!

After the light show I went looking for fog forming down lower in the Maroon Creek Valley. Here's one example.

And here's another.

Then it was back over Independence Pass, with tons of fresh snow all around, and some pretty frisky winds.

I flubbed the best Maroon Bells clearing fog shot. The night before I was fooling around as I waited to see if there'd be any decent sunset light (there wasn't), and I noticed a crack in my windshield resembled the Pikes Peak skyline. So I put the camera on manual focus and snapped away. When I took my first Bells shot this morning, I forgot about the focus and took the shot focused at around two feet. Glad I noticed after the first shot! But you must admit, this crack does sort of look like Pikes Peak.

Todd, I love the second one. It looks just like a painting.

Here I was thinkin' poor Todd's not getting anything...but I should have known you WOULD stay out long enuff! Excellent Bells shots - thanks for showing us something different. And the 2nd fog clearing image kills. Yes, Pike's crack looks like Pike's - and a photographer bored out of his mind.

Nice stuff, Todd. That last one is amazing!

Love the first two, great change of mood. I would have loved to see you screaming over the pass!

The clouds in the second picture of the Bells look like a halo upon the mountains.
Wonderful catch!

Todd, awesome images! The first two are my favorites. I agree, Algore is full of shiat and the crack does look like Pike's Peak.

that's okay Todd, passing Texans on the highway is a huge hobby of mine

I really love that third shot, looks like the Aspens are coming along nicely now

Todd,

Those are first two are killer shots. You really read the weather well on this trip. The sunrise colors are some of the nicest I have seen of the Bells.

Thanks for the update on conditions as well. I like that there is snow still around the lake with always add to the scene when present.

I actually like the 1st one the best because it is the most unusual when it comes to Bells shots. That windshield cracks me up! So how much snow is left on top of Independence?
I won't be able to get up there til next week.

I bid $3.50 for the Pikes peak with stars shot!

Jack

I love the fog shots, esp #3. The sunrise shot looks a bit funky/electric. It's funny how the warmer weather we get these days has changed our perceptions. Snow in June is not unheard of even in CO Springs (its happened there twice to my knowlege) but if it happened now people would freak and think the world was ending. Buena Vista got a foot on June 17, 1912. Ive heard Aspen had its 4th of July fireworks canceled due to snow. The good ol days...

The reds look a bit blown in #2, but otherwise its an awesome shot. But my favorite of the bunch is #4.

And yeah, that crack does look like Pikes Peak.

Mel-

Nice shots! Reminds me of my time studying photography at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood. I spent alot of time at the Bells. Anyone else study there?
Mike

Those first two are out of this world. I love the water movement and reflection in the first one, and the colors in #2 are stunning. Excellent weather forecasting, and shooting.

Love the dusting of snow on Pikes in #5.

I also like the first two the most. The alpenglow one is amazing. I just wish there were leaves on the trees, but you can't have everything I guess. Thanks for sharing these.

Great shots, Todd. The first one is fantastic!

Wow, Todd. Out-freaking-standing.

I love 1 and 3! Never been to the Bells but would like to see it at least once.

And anytime you can pass a Texan, it's a good day.

Incredible mood captured in that first one. Well worth pissing off a Texan or two.

The other shots aren't slouches either! In fact, your ability to bring home so many great images of fascinating weather conditions continues to amaze me.