Macey Lakes

My wife and I spent the weekend up at Macey Lakes in the Sangre de Cristos. We encountered a grand total of five other people in the course of 48 hours and pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Snow was effectively gone on the trails (including up to the Upper Lake - the upper upper one, that is) and the mosquitos were relatively harmless.

Plenty of flowers around the Rainbow Trail on the hike in, including some nice columbine. Fewer flowers out on the hike up, but then a whole bunch of other species (sorry, not an expert) in bloom around the lakes themselves, including a decent variety of tundra-like specimens above 11,400'.

This was sunrise at the upper lake on Sunday morning. D700 with 17-35 f/2.8 + 3-stop soft GND.

Would like to hear your thoughts on the white balance and overall colours.

This is Lower Macey Lake (two exposures blended - one for foreground, one for the sky).

A view of an un-named 13,200' peak above the upper lake.

The forest in bloom half-way up the 7 mile trail. This one was taken hand-held with a Canon G9 (the Nikon was securely packed away in the backpack and wasn't in the mood to come out to play).

Great set, though I particularly like #3 with the foreground rocks. I don't see anything off about the white balance or colors, though #1 may have a slight magenta cast (may just be my monitor as well). Nice shots!

Very nice set Stephen, I like #3 and #4 the best, compositions are all very nice, and white balance looks about right to me!.

I really wanted to get up to that upper lake when I packed in there last year, but there was still way too much snow at the summer soltice. What a beauty! The arnica are wonderful in the last shot and #3 is a standout too.

Mel-

I love that spot--i have yet to get up to the third (upper upper) lake though. The last two shots are great here, first to are nice too but could use a little pucnh/contrast. Nice!

Cool. A place I've always wanted to see. Nice image report.

Beautiful shots! I've not been to Macey Lakes before, but it sure looks like it is very deserving of a visit.

#1 is my favorite due to the sweet light, reflection and the overall composition.
It could use a touch more contrast as noted.
I like the way the greenery in #2 contours around the peak reflection....nice!
Again, a touch more contrast would add some 'pop' to this one.
Not too fond of the harsh light in #3, and of course the 'in your face' flowers of the last are quite nice.
All in all, a good series.

I'm for four, though all are nice.

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I'll try reworking 1+2 per the comments. But probably not until next week - we're off to Crested Butte for 5 days tomorrow...

Number three is my favorite, but they are all very nice.

Really nice stuff! I like number 2 and 3 the most but all of them are beautiful.

Macey Lakes is on my schedule for a 3 day trip in late August or early September of this year. Your images have me salivating, I can't wait to get up there.

Cheers,