I'll be leaving for a Springtime shoot in the Rocky Mountains around the 8th of May, and would like to shoot Rivers, Lakes and waterfalls using my new Vari-ND Duo filter..., as well as the usual landscape and long lens wildlife stuff...
Any ideas or suggestions on where to go or where to start would be appreciated.. All I need is a destination to fly into, and the rest will fall in place. I'm thinking about weather patterns and temps and possible wildflower shots...
I'm open to any destination to start this adventure, and to whatever happens and whoever I might meet along the way.
Thanks!!
Dave
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Dave, the example I made below might be an ambitious trip but three weeks you might be able to some of this... this list is geographically significant, of course there are other ways to go, and other places to visit...
Denver - Estes Park (RMNP) - Grand Lake - Gore Range - Collegiates - San Luis Valley - Sand Dunes NP - Pagosa Springs - Weminuche Wilderness - Mesa Verde - Silverton/Ouray - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Dinosaur NM.... back to Denver....
The kicker is in May there will be little wildflower activity and the snowpacks above certain altitudes will still be prevalant. However at lower altitudes you will have plenty of spring runoff for those river shots. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on April 14, 2009 at 5:25 PM
There could be very good wildflowers in the foothills if the moisture keeps going, but the high country will be largely impassible in that time frame. Last year I was still having trouble with snow at 11,000 feet on July 4th weekend in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. I suspect the same will be true this year due to recent snowfall.
The rivers will probably be flowing very strong throughout the region at that time including the Arkansas, Colorado, Delores, Yampa and Green. The S. Platte is pretty heavily controlled coming into Denver.
Its also a great time of year to visit the desert. It can be pretty green that time of year in SE Utah.
I would probably suggest Denver as the place to fly into, but I'd consider ranging from Santa Fe to Page, Moab and back along I-80.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on April 14, 2009 at 6:26 PM
I've run into Andy Cook (author of the second book) shooting sunrise on Rattlesnake Ridge at the Garden of the Gods. He was a nice fellow. Unfortunately I can't comment on that book.
I like Laurent Martres' other books, but I didn't think the Colorado / New Mexico volume was nearly as helpful as the other two in the series.
If you are coming around the 8th and have three weeks, I am not sure your budget, but this would be a great trip to go on with a professional photographer that is very good and will have you moving non stop the whole trip. He has a tour/photoshop trip planned for then in Arches. Here is his URL, http://russburdenphotography.com/Arches.html. You wont get the lakes, rivers and water falls but you will get a bunch of keepers on his trip.
If you want to take the best photos of mountains in our area, I would suggest spending a lot of time in the Southwestern part of the state. This includes East most Pagosa Springs to Cortez West and North to Gunnison/Montrose area. Mesa Verde is close to Durango. The waterfalls in the area that I am aware of are Cascade Falls, Bridal Viel Falls, Box Canyon Falls. the first and last falls are close to Ouray. There is a great lake between Durango and Silverton call Molas (sp? or something like that) Lake that is on Molas Pass. The Dallas dvide to ridgeway is another great place to take great photos. You also have Owl Creek pass that offers Silver jack Rservoir. The best time for Owl Creek is July or in the fall. You have Black Canyon in Gunnison. From there I might head up to Aspen and go to Maroon Bells, Ashcroft and Crystal Mill. Also at Marron Bells is Willow Lake as well as Maroon Lake. You can also go to Rifle falls which is a nice area to shoot as well. Then there is Hanging Lake, Hanging Lake Waterfall, North Clear Creak falls.
I might then make my way to Rocky Mountain National park going through Winter Park to Grand Lake. Many places there to take great photos. After you enter RMNP be on the look out for Moose. That side of the park is known for some of the best areas to view next to Yellowstone. As long as Trail Ridge road is open, I would then take that up and at the top, there are many places to take photographs including little trails back of the rest area. Then continue on and you will see ample locations to shoot during this drive down. I would head to Horseshoe park and you will see Elk, Coyotes and possibly other wildlife in that area. At Moraine park there is a stream that is good to shoot and shortly after that is a good rock area that will be running fast with water this time of year if it stays warm like it is. Then continue up to sprague lake, Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, Bear Lake, Albert Falls, etc.
Bottom line, there is so much to see and do and even though you have three weeks, I would really determine what you want to see that is can't miss. Then spend time to get to know the area via research and the great people on this board. Like everything in life, you will be in areas one day that is awesome and the next will be bad during the morning and you want to return the next day. Or the previous evening shot was great but you found another great spot to shoot from different angles the next day. I would try not to bite off too much else you may get frustrated. Whatever you choose you will enjoy.....drink a lot, a lot , a lot of water even when you do not want any drink more. Especially the first couple of days while you are here.
I would also check out these websites that show some of the things I and others have mentioned.
Posted by Grace Blair on April 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM
How about flying in to Bozeman, MT and hitting Yellowstone, young elk and buffalo should be available, plus lots of river/geyser/mountain activity. Not all of the roads will be open, but you should see plenty of views and wildlife, then go to National Bison grazing area NE of Missoula, go to Glacier (roads not open all the way through) for some fantastic views, see the Montana Snowy Mountains, go to Ft. Benton for more views and history, then down along the Missouri Breaks and also see the Judith Gap area, then the Beartooth Range and back to Bozeman. That would be a full 3 weeks of photos and viewing. Spring wildflowers may be starting to show up in the lower elevations. Lots of nesting birds along the rivers and creeks too.
Regarding your goal of shooting rivers: Most rivers in the state begin to flow in the middle to end of May with the peak from end of May to the middle of June. With that in mind the rivers that start the soonest are interestingly on the western slope and near I-70 (Eagle River, Roaring Fork River, Colorado River, all of which are fairly good sized rivers with no waterfalls but many rapids. The Roaring Fork does have a 6 foot falls on the Slaugherhouse Run inside the city limits of Aspen and a half mile downstream of a small city park that borders the river, but the falls is difficult to shoot because of trees and a very steep bank. Higher up on the Roaring Fork is a series of falls near the Grottos on Independence Pass which might be open, up to the Grottos anyways, in early May. The top of the pass doesn't usually open til closer to Memorial Day.
RockyMt NP has a few good waterfalls on small streams on the east side of the park that photograph quite well.
The Cache la Poudre River west of Fort Collins has a nice falls called Poudre Falls which is about 2/3rds of the way up towards Cameron Pass from Fort Collins. It's not the easiest to shoot but determined photogs with ropes have done well there.
Just east of Steamboat Springs there is a good waterfall that is easy to access.
Dinosaur National Mon is a great place to get river canyon shots (no waterfalls).
The San Juans in the southwest part of the state have a number of good waterfalls, some which require a 4x4 to get to and some with easier access,Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride for example,but it is hampered by cables and wooden timbers in places.. Inside Ouray is Box Canyon Falls (commercial), south of Ouray there are waterfalls you can shoot right from Hwy 550.
At the base of Wolf Creek Pass(Hwy160) which crosses the Continental Divide, on the west side of the pass, is a good waterfall also (it faces north, so is hampered with shadow issues)
The Upper Crystal River near Marble has a number of waterfalls but access at that time of year would probably be on foot or mountain bike (the 4x4 road probably won't be passable in a 4x4 yet). There's a couple of waterfalls on Yule Creek (south of Marble) that requires some determined hiking to get to.
Dave I have to comment on your main image on your website! Wow it has all the Great qualities of a Fine Painting by Bierstadt or Kincade! In fact when i first saw it I thought it was a painting and not a photograph!
I hope that was what you were after because I mean that in the kindest way. The image stirs emotions in me and I feel like I just took a giant leap back in time to the Dark lush forests of Northern Germany where I lived many years ago.
If you need a personal Garden of the Gods Guide, gimme a shout when you're gonna be in town. My Dad's a Cheese head from Oshkosh so I Speak Fluent Cheese and Beer! LOL J/K
A HUGE "Thanks" to all the RMNP members who've taken the time to give me some insight.
I'm overwhelmed... I've spent the last 4 nights cruising your websites and I'm truely amazed at some of the incredable photos I've found there.
I can only hope to see some fo these wonders in person, and if I'm lucky, come home to the 'Flatlands' with some lifelong memories on my CF cards.
Again, thank you all!!
Dave
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
JK, Thank you for the complements on my 'Forest Light' photo on my website. As I'm sure you know these kind of opportunities are few and far between anywhere. I knew when I first saw this scene it was something special. I just had to try to capture it.
I printed this 48 x 22 on canvas and it truely does look like a fine art painting. At a Gallery Opening last May I had people telling me it couldn't be a photo.. It's amazing what a cheap lens can do...
I'll be sure to look you up when I get near your area. I'll let you know a few days in advance, since I don't usually schedule my where-abouts on these adventures.. Whatever happens after the plane lands, does.. Normally, I spin a bottle and then follow my nose and the advice of the locals after that. It always turns into an adventure, and I usually find interesting people and more unusual things and places to photograph than what everyone else seems to shoot. To each his own, I guess...
Discussion
11 repliesAny ideas or suggestions on where to go or where to start would be appreciated.. All I need is a destination to fly into, and the rest will fall in place. I'm thinking about weather patterns and temps and possible wildflower shots...
I'm open to any destination to start this adventure, and to whatever happens and whoever I might meet along the way.
Thanks!!
Dave
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Denver - Estes Park (RMNP) - Grand Lake - Gore Range - Collegiates - San Luis Valley - Sand Dunes NP - Pagosa Springs - Weminuche Wilderness - Mesa Verde - Silverton/Ouray - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Dinosaur NM.... back to Denver....
The kicker is in May there will be little wildflower activity and the snowpacks above certain altitudes will still be prevalant. However at lower altitudes you will have plenty of spring runoff for those river shots. Enjoy your trip!
The rivers will probably be flowing very strong throughout the region at that time including the Arkansas, Colorado, Delores, Yampa and Green. The S. Platte is pretty heavily controlled coming into Denver.
Its also a great time of year to visit the desert. It can be pretty green that time of year in SE Utah.
I would probably suggest Denver as the place to fly into, but I'd consider ranging from Santa Fe to Page, Moab and back along I-80.
'Photographing the Southwest-CO/NM'
'A Guide to Colorado's Best Photo Locations'
I like Laurent Martres' other books, but I didn't think the Colorado / New Mexico volume was nearly as helpful as the other two in the series.
As previously mentioned, no flowers and limited travel at elevation. You may see new elk calves in RMNP.
If you want to take the best photos of mountains in our area, I would suggest spending a lot of time in the Southwestern part of the state. This includes East most Pagosa Springs to Cortez West and North to Gunnison/Montrose area. Mesa Verde is close to Durango. The waterfalls in the area that I am aware of are Cascade Falls, Bridal Viel Falls, Box Canyon Falls. the first and last falls are close to Ouray. There is a great lake between Durango and Silverton call Molas (sp? or something like that) Lake that is on Molas Pass. The Dallas dvide to ridgeway is another great place to take great photos. You also have Owl Creek pass that offers Silver jack Rservoir. The best time for Owl Creek is July or in the fall. You have Black Canyon in Gunnison. From there I might head up to Aspen and go to Maroon Bells, Ashcroft and Crystal Mill. Also at Marron Bells is Willow Lake as well as Maroon Lake. You can also go to Rifle falls which is a nice area to shoot as well. Then there is Hanging Lake, Hanging Lake Waterfall, North Clear Creak falls.
I might then make my way to Rocky Mountain National park going through Winter Park to Grand Lake. Many places there to take great photos. After you enter RMNP be on the look out for Moose. That side of the park is known for some of the best areas to view next to Yellowstone. As long as Trail Ridge road is open, I would then take that up and at the top, there are many places to take photographs including little trails back of the rest area. Then continue on and you will see ample locations to shoot during this drive down. I would head to Horseshoe park and you will see Elk, Coyotes and possibly other wildlife in that area. At Moraine park there is a stream that is good to shoot and shortly after that is a good rock area that will be running fast with water this time of year if it stays warm like it is. Then continue up to sprague lake, Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, Bear Lake, Albert Falls, etc.
Bottom line, there is so much to see and do and even though you have three weeks, I would really determine what you want to see that is can't miss. Then spend time to get to know the area via research and the great people on this board. Like everything in life, you will be in areas one day that is awesome and the next will be bad during the morning and you want to return the next day. Or the previous evening shot was great but you found another great spot to shoot from different angles the next day. I would try not to bite off too much else you may get frustrated. Whatever you choose you will enjoy.....drink a lot, a lot , a lot of water even when you do not want any drink more. Especially the first couple of days while you are here.
I would also check out these websites that show some of the things I and others have mentioned.
http://www.johnfielder.com/home.php
http://www.coloradobyways.org/Main.cfm
http://www.sundayphotography.com/
http://www.naturephotographynaturally.com/index-3.html
Good luck with your planning.
Tim
RockyMt NP has a few good waterfalls on small streams on the east side of the park that photograph quite well.
The Cache la Poudre River west of Fort Collins has a nice falls called Poudre Falls which is about 2/3rds of the way up towards Cameron Pass from Fort Collins. It's not the easiest to shoot but determined photogs with ropes have done well there.
Just east of Steamboat Springs there is a good waterfall that is easy to access.
Dinosaur National Mon is a great place to get river canyon shots (no waterfalls).
The San Juans in the southwest part of the state have a number of good waterfalls, some which require a 4x4 to get to and some with easier access,Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride for example,but it is hampered by cables and wooden timbers in places.. Inside Ouray is Box Canyon Falls (commercial), south of Ouray there are waterfalls you can shoot right from Hwy 550.
At the base of Wolf Creek Pass(Hwy160) which crosses the Continental Divide, on the west side of the pass, is a good waterfall also (it faces north, so is hampered with shadow issues)
The Upper Crystal River near Marble has a number of waterfalls but access at that time of year would probably be on foot or mountain bike (the 4x4 road probably won't be passable in a 4x4 yet). There's a couple of waterfalls on Yule Creek (south of Marble) that requires some determined hiking to get to.
I hope that was what you were after because I mean that in the kindest way. The image stirs emotions in me and I feel like I just took a giant leap back in time to the Dark lush forests of Northern Germany where I lived many years ago.
If you need a personal Garden of the Gods Guide, gimme a shout when you're gonna be in town. My Dad's a Cheese head from Oshkosh so I Speak Fluent Cheese and Beer! LOL J/K
I'm overwhelmed...
I can only hope to see some fo these wonders in person, and if I'm lucky, come home to the 'Flatlands' with some lifelong memories on my CF cards.
Again, thank you all!!
Dave
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
JK, Thank you for the complements on my 'Forest Light' photo on my website. As I'm sure you know these kind of opportunities are few and far between anywhere. I knew when I first saw this scene it was something special. I just had to try to capture it.
I printed this 48 x 22 on canvas and it truely does look like a fine art painting. At a Gallery Opening last May I had people telling me it couldn't be a photo.. It's amazing what a cheap lens can do...
I'll be sure to look you up when I get near your area. I'll let you know a few days in advance, since I don't usually schedule my where-abouts on these adventures.. Whatever happens after the plane lands, does.. Normally, I spin a bottle and then follow my nose and the advice of the locals after that. It always turns into an adventure, and I usually find interesting people and more unusual things and places to photograph than what everyone else seems to shoot. To each his own, I guess...
I can't wait to get out there!!
Dave