Pecos Sunrise

Sunrise yesterday morning on the high peaks of New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness. This is a post sunrise version of the pre-dawn version I put up in the Fall Colors thread. Though I'm quite happy with this one, I may personally prefer the gloomier take. Sure was happy to see the sun by then, though!

This was shot handheld, because one of my (cheap) tripod's legs broke clean off twenty minutes before, brittle with the cold I think. Anyone like to recommend a a decently durable, general purpose 'pod for general use, for a not-very-rich guy?

Wow, hard to pick a fave of these two, they're both awesome. I think I like the warm light on the sunlit snow of this one better. Great stuff!

I like the warm light version better too. Great to see snow in the mountains again.

As for the tripod, I've been happy with my Velbon 630. I've used it -0 to -10F weather without issue and the carbon fiber legs don't pull the heat from your hands as bad as aluminum.

Great image! Love the way the warm light is hitting the snow.

Beautiful shot, have to agree I like this warmer version better of the two. Love the color on the fresh snow.

I've been very happy with my Benro carbon fiber pod I recently bought from bhphoto, and it isn't overly expensive either, like $160. I haven't tested it in cold weather yet...

I too prefer this warmer version, especially the way the fg lit up ridge frames the peak!. Snowy peaks, colour in the clouds, what could be better!.

Yep. I like the warm version more too. Both are great but I like the contrast between the icy cold mountain tops bathed in warm morning light. Very nice shot!

Nice shooting on both of these, and kudos for enduring the conditions. I definitely prefer the first one due to the warmer light. I do like how much detail you have in the shadows in #2; if you could do the same in this one, I think this is the hands-down winner.

dang - that is an awesome shot!! I like the light on the posted one here, but I think I prefer the angle of the pre-dawn shot. You see more of the rocks, and get a better feel for how steep the drop off is!

Both are nice, prefer the after sunrise shot! Did not realize that much snow in NM this early. Good job.

Thanks for the replies, folks! I'm really pleased with the colors and layers in the sunny shot, but I also love the feeling of cold and vertigo in the other. No reason I can't be happy with both, I guess.

Timothy, we usually get a little snow here in early October, but this year's installment was a little above average. We can always use it.

Jackson, again, excellent work. Both shots are great!

Timothy, we typically get our first snow in the town of Taos (northern New Mexico) by October 10th, but it will usually melt by the next day.