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Colorado's Serengeti

Discussion

18 replies
Posted by Cynthia Spence on February 12, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Colorado's Serengeti
Well, it was a very dull day at the Great Sand Dunes last Sunday morning, however I was treated to some wildlife. While shooting at mule deer that were staring at me, I notice in the background something moving. Turns out a herd of elk was making it's way to Sunday breakfast spot at the foot of the dunes.

Canon 40D
70-300IS
Hi ISO 400-800

I tried to warm these up and even set the processing to the "cloudy" setting, but obviously there was no light not even bright overcast.

Cynthia
Posted by Cynthia Spence on February 12, 2009 at 5:21 PM
and another....
Posted by Carol Nichols on February 12, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Really cool shot Cynthia. I live in Florida and there's probably 5 people in the state that realize a scene like this could possibly be from Colorado!
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 12, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Well played, Cynthia!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 12, 2009 at 6:14 PM
You got a fine pose on the last one, Cynthia.

That location at the entrance is great for grazing wildlife in the morning. I almost always find something there.
Posted by Brian Jackson on February 12, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Sweet shots!

Brian
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 12, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Great shots Cynthia.
Posted by Ken Einig on February 12, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Cynthia - love that muley lookin at ya. I was surprised at the lack of snow. I guess I need to get over to the east side of Wolf Creek Pass and see what is happening.
Posted by Jackson Frishman on February 12, 2009 at 8:42 PM
I love the first one: Serengeti seems about right. My eyes keep expecting oryx. The elk really bring out the scale of the dunes.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on February 12, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Nice shots Cynthia. My fav is the second one. Lots to look at with the deer facing you, the elk and the dunes in the background.
Posted by Dave Showalter` on February 13, 2009 at 10:33 AM
They're both excellent, but the first has that uniquely western feeling of expanse and huge herds of wild animals. The dunes make it otherworldly. They both look a little dark on my display - maybe a midtones adj.

Nice work!
Posted by Cynthia Spence on February 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Thanks guys! They always look great on my laptop then I post them and they look dark...so I guess I should over compensate and up the brightness when processing, wish I had Lightroom.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on February 13, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I like the second one, Cynthia. Lots of great elements. Light not withstanding, at least you're out and about! Congrats.
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 13, 2009 at 2:01 PM
The first shot is especially amazing! As others have said, I love the way the scale of the dunes is so pronounced. It's such a strange scene... I can almost imagine clouds or sky in the background, but no, there's huge dunes instead! I also like the general abstraction of the scene, with the little elks to anchor it in reality.
Posted by James H Egbert on February 13, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Having actually been to Africa, this does have the look you so aptly titled these compositions as. Well done as Todd said! :toast:
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Nice to see something different from the dunes, nicely captured. :toast:
Posted by Dan Walters on February 14, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Great images! Love the dunes in the background.
Posted by Jim Caffrey on February 15, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Two more images to get me off my butt and up to the Dunes. Both are great captures. They don't look too dark on my monitor. I think they both might benefit from a contrast boost, but that's minor. Nice work.
Posted by Prashant Khapane on February 17, 2009 at 10:52 AM
lovely images. Agree with carol.