Shiprock (in extreme pain)

Ive had this plan to shoot my fav icon, Shiprock, in snow for a while, and figured this was a good weekend for it. So, i arrived a day early to scout the location (hadnt been there in 15 years) at sunrise. It was cloudy but i thought it would be worth scouting. Well, as i walked up the dirt road toward the monument, i wasnt paying attention and ended up stepping through a cattle gaurd, nearly breaking my leg! Knowing my weekend was done, i limped to a decent location and cursed while i waited for sunrise. Fortunately, the horizon was clear enough for 5 minutes of incredible light before things shut down. So, despite my swollen leg it wasnt a complete waste!
Here's the start!

Here's what sunrise looked like, from the dike

One more of the icon. Incidentally, had to clone a few beer bottles out here, the amount of trash was appalling for a place supposedly sacred to the Navajo!
Ok, back to the ice pack...

I applaud your determination!
Even though Shiprock is only an hour from my house, I can't seem to get moving to catch a sunrise there.

The first image is my favorite, with the great color, that kiss of sun on the 'Rock and the boulders in the foreground that complement the monolith and the volcanic dike so well.

The third benefits from that wonderful southern sun angle that bathes the background in such sweet golden light. The sweeping upward lines toward the dike look great here in both images.

I'm not too keen on the second, but have to marvel at the thought of you climbing up there with a bum leg!

As far as trash......well, you actually caught it on a good day because the weather is so cold.
So sad that the Nation as a whole suffers due to the acts of a few inconsiderate individuals.

Thanks John, i was surprised i made it up that slight hill too, but the adrenaline was pumping, especially since i knew i wouldnt be walking at all the next morning!

Hope you have a speedy recovery, Stan. At least you didn't break anything!
I assume that was the cattle guard at the fence next to the highway? I usually drive across that.

Great light on #1 and #3, at least you were able to salvage something.

Beautiful light Stan, #1 being my favourite with #3 a close second!. Glad to hear you didn't do some serious damage to your leg!.

Stan,
Hope you heal soon. Really love that first image!

I'm glad you're OK, Stan. Hopefully it was worth it. I really like #1. The quality of light is fantastic.

Very nice, Stan! #1 is one of the most striking Shiprock images I've seen.

The reservations can be particularly bad, but it's a statewide thing. I'm continually appalled by some of my fellow New Mexican's attitudes towards litter.

I'm with the rest...#1 has to be one of the finest comps of Shiprock I've seen. The lighting is great.

I really like #1 and #3, Stan. Sorry to hear about your leg. I'm glad it wasn't worse, though!

Way to persevere there, buddy! Hope your leg gets better real soon. I really like all three shots a lot. Maybe #3 is my fave, but they're all close in my book.

I like #1 the best, but I would like to see a little more sky above the dike. All three images look really great. I hope your leg heals quickly.

Nice perspectives, looks like you got some nice light. Hope your leg heals quickly!

Hey Stan, sorry about yuor leg man, sounds like it could have been much worse! NIce light in all but I favor #3 as well. Get better fast!
John

Way to cowboy up, Stan. The shots are well worth enduring the pain. Love #2.

They're all good, but for me, #3 is the most striking.
Didn't anyone tell you photography isn't a contact sport? Get better soon.

Hope you heal up quickly Stan. #3 would be my pick of the litter, but #1 and #3 are both sweet.

Great shots Stan!! I love the color palette in the sky and foreground in the 3rd image.

Hope the leg heals up quickly!

I really like the comp and more subtle colors of #1, though all three are very nice. I'm surprised you continued on with your leg in that condition! I wrestled and played football with a broken foot and it is VERY painful. A good book about a guy with a broken leg is "Touching the Void" by Joe Simpson. Yours could be "Shiprocked" by Stan rose, a story of creative determination. Heal well!

Thanks everyone! My leg has actually gotten better fast--wasnt as bad as i had thought,
had i known i probably would have stuck around for the snow. I appreciate the input, i will be posting a combo of #1 and #3 (#1 with the light in #3) on Wed in ESS, its by far my fav of the shoot.

All excellent images, Stan. Glad to hear you're mending quickly. Nice work!

Stan,
Great photos all, especially 1 and 3. Love the comps and the light. Glad you're healing. Hey, do you know if there are best, better, great times of the year to shoot Shiprock?

All three are great shots, Stan! Might lighten up the dark areas on #2 a bit. Probably the best Shiprock images I've ever seen!

Good job on the images, particularly like 1 and 3.
Hopefully you mend quickly, happy you didnt break your leg out there in the cold and dark!!!

Stan,

So srooy about your injury! Those things always scare me. The pics look great. Heal well and soon!

RichieV

Your pain was well worth the effort Stan! Great shot!

Thanks for the encouragement! Swelling is down completely, ive already gone out for more photos (using the subzero weather as a natural icepack!)
Patrick, i cant say--i didnt even know whether sunrise or sunset would be better, but now i would say that sunrise probably is the way to go! Im still hoping some day to get back when theres some snow--it would be incredible i think.