The New Maroon Bells

Someone mentioned they had heard that this area near Silver Jack was becoming the "new Maroon Bells." I certainly hope not, although it is quickly becoming my favorite place to shoot, I think. When I was shooting this, there was only 1 other serious shooter, and a few stop, shoot, and drive tourists.
C&C welcome as always.

5d, 28-135mm@64mm, 1/30@f/11, iso 100


Thanks for looking.

Great light on those trees.

I doubt this will ever reach the madness level of Maroon Bells, but every year I'm surprised by how much the crowds have grown in places like Moab and Ouray and Lake City.

Wow. I was beginning to think Bear Lake was the "new Maroon Bells"

This is a great spot too. Great color here. The highlights in the foliage are getting close to being blown in a few places, but all in all I think you've reined them in enough. Nice dramatic clouds too. Good shot at a good location.

As I stood in this very same spot on Saturday afternoon, the mountains were not visible, it was 37 degrees, and raining hard! But I kept on shootin' anyway!

Love the shot Morris! Don't these trees turn red in some years?

Phillip,
Yes, I have seen shots where these are indeed very red. I have not, however, seen them myself. Way to keep shooting, even in the rain.

well I just looked up Sliver Jack and you can add one other person to the list of visitors to the obviously fabulous area

Fabulous shot. I do agree that the highlights do seem a little hot

Nice shot Morris. Those are a classic stand of trees. I'd tone down the aspens a bit and would sharpen for the web and you've got a winner!!

John

O.k. guys, I just looked at the shot in a darkened room, and yes, the highlights were a bit hot. I worked on it during daylight hours, and I guess the room was too bright to see that. Sorry. I have reworked it, and John, increased the sharpening a bit, too. Better?

While I won't make it down to this area of the state this Fall I'd like to add this to my future list of places to visit/shoot in the state. Can anyone provide directions on exactly how to get there? I'm assuming this is near the Silver Jack Mine and/or Reservoir correct?

Thanks in advance for any info that can be provided!

Mark

Nice shot Morris, I was at the same location on Wednesday evening and came away with something I like. There are a lot of different opportunities in that area, that's for sure. I think this image would work better if you dialed back the contrast a bit, and perhaps cropped out the grass at the bottom of the frame.

Mark,
Yes, this is near Silver Jack reservoir. Just go south off of Hwy 50 on Cimmaron Road.(Not Little Cimmaron Road, though.)
Jason,
I tried a crop off of the bottom, and I just felt like it was too tight, a little squeezed, just for my tastes. The contrast increased when I save for web, so my original is not this contrasty. Yes, a little too much in this presentation.

That's a beautiful image, Morris. The clouds are a bonus.

Cockscomb Peak is a really rugged backdrop for some beautiful aspens. Dramatic light and comp. The trees do appear to be over saturated on my monitor though.