Epic Bells

Ever since i saw Brent D's shot of the Bells after an Autumn snow,
ive been keeping an eye out for an opportunity to shoot the icon under similar conditions. Finally got my chance this weekend, thanks to the early snowfall. I shunned the crowd at the near end of the lake and headed to the far end so i could at least get a unique angle. Here's before sunrise.

Just before sunrise, a fog bank formed and started rolling up the valley. Here's looking back at the lake and photogs.

A thin veil of fog moved over the scene, then became thick for a while.

Simply amazing!

Finally, things cleared out in time for a little light. One more shortly on ESS...about 400 shots left to process!

#4 grabs me! Nice work.

Well done Stan,
These are indeed unique, and the last one is breathtaking. I don't think I've ever seen a shot of Bells like that last one.

#4 has some really nice colors in it Stan.. it especially draws your eyes in. Well done.

Stan, I've been dreaming of the same thing since I saw Brent D's shot, too. I'm glad you realized yours. I hope there is still snow there this weekend. Great shots, all of them.

Killer conditions and very nice work. 4 and 1 got it for me.

Very good reasons why this is an icon!
I also like #4 the best. #1 could be my favorite if the blues were toned down some.
Actually, the one you posted at ES&S has the best colors, but that snowy rock in the foreground just draws my eye right to it.

400 shots?!?

Thanks, John. Yeah, #1 is pretty blue but it was actually almost black (not visible) so i took a bit of liberty there with the long exposure (a minute) and AWB. I hardly ever fill up half a memory card, but this was an exceptional day--my favorite shots are actually not of the Bells but the surrounding terrain and Sievers--i should have a page up in a few days.

Really nice shots.

Maroon Bells with great conditions that weather knowledge is paying off Stan!

Sweet shots. I really love that last one. p.s.I have on my wall here in Richmond, VA, a 30" print of an image I captured last year because I saw you snow forecast on here and jumped on a plane. Thanks for all your contributions!

Thanks Stan. Great job. Still deciding if we will head out there this weekend. How bad are the leaves (all over ) in general disease wise?

RichieV

These are mighty sweet Stan, I particularly like #2 and #4, the fresh snow and fog made the trip very worthwhile!.

Stan,

Spectacular series...#s 1 and 4 are superb. You have completed a definite must on my list of shots I've always wanted.

Rich, my trip was limited so all i can say is that the leaves on the east side of the Pass, especially close to Twin Lakes (i got some killer shots from sunrise there) looked pretty good, but in the Snowmass area they were covered with black spots.

Awesome Stan! Wow! And I'm honored to have been some inspiration! These really bring back great memories of those two mornings in 2006, the first day socked in and snowy, the next day clear and sunny. Looks like you had both days wrapped in one! Magical!

The first three are nice, but your last image is incredible. One of the very best I've ever seen, out of countless shots, from here. Great work Stan!

Great stuff, Stan. I can't decide between 1 and 4.

Wow - that last shot is just breathtaking! Kudos!

Incredible stuff. I'm really loving the unconventional view in the other direction with the photogs, the light and reflection there is stunning and the fog rocks it. Thanks for confusing my plans for this weekend Any chance the snow will stick around through saturday?

Great shots... I think #1 could make a great B&W as well!

#4 has EPIC written all over it. Although the foreground rocks drive me nuts.
Congrats on being able to enjoy the awesome weather. I've never managed to time it right at Maroon Lake.

If you thought the rocks drove you nuts in that one--wait til i post my favorite shot from the series (probably by this weekend)
Thanks, guys! Aleks--my guess is that the snow will be gone, its gonna get real warm in a couple days.

Stan as compared to teh ESS photo the snow in 4 combined with the snow dusted slowpe and it's reflection on the left lead directly into the image of the Bells alight.

#4 certainly grabs me the most, but that rock in the water so close to the point of the peak creates a visual roadblock. Still, it's such a killer shot.

That last shot is simply stellar! What a great capture of the colors, light, snow and fog. I'm going to be shooting up there tomorrow and hopefully nature will bless me with conditions as good as yours.