Beyond the Dunes

Sand is just sand, but the thing that makes GSDNP one of my top 5 natl parks is how its so perfectly situated between 14ers and prairie, wetlands and desert. Friday was a great day to take advantage of that mixed terrain, after an overnight snowfall that left up to a foot in parts of the Wets, but hardly anything in the valley. My original plan was to shoot Spanish Peaks at sunrise, Dunes at sunset, but since La Veta was buried in snow and there was nowhwere for my little car to even pull over, i had to abandon that plan, and curse while i watched the cap cloud over W Spanish light up at sunrise, as i drove up the Pass with a truck right on my heels and, once again, nothing but snowbanks to pull over onto. I'll go sequential with this series--finally was able to pull over at the Pass, here's what was left of sunrise: (#1)

#2) The terrific clearing at the Dunes; i posted a wider view of this on ESS yesterday.

#3) It was still snowing, despite the mostly blue skies and abundant morning sun!

#4) I took a short hike up the dunefield to take shome shots of Herard making an appearance...

#5) As I told my friends at the VC, the plan was to scout San Luis Lakes to see if there was any worthy clear ice (i assumed there wouldnt be) and if not returnt to shoot sunset from Star Dune area. So, i headed for the lake, and shot some elk on the way out...

#6) shot this 24,000 pixel 6 image pano from off Rt 6...

#7) As expected, San Luis lakes were snow covered and rather boring--but i decided with time to spare id take a hike around, and much to my delight discovered these ice fractures, complete with mini ice-caves! I knew immediately that this would be amazing at sunset...assuming the clouds cooperated.

#8) It looked pretty cloudy an hour before sunset, pretty grim....but--i noticed a small amount of semi-clearing at the horizon, and lucked out as light reemerged 15 minutes before sunset!

#9) Havent processed my best 2 shots yet--will probably spend a couple hours to ensure theyre perfect, but here's a preview of the amazing light at sunset...

#10) Ok, i broke the sequential part here--but i wanted to make it an even 10
Amazing what lengths people will go to, just to build a snow(sand)man!

Stan, these are just fantastic. I have earmarked several of these for my "inspiration" folder.
Joe Rogers

These are great! I especially like 2 and 4 and the pano looks like it could be really cool at large sizes. I've always wanted to shoot the dunes covered in snow but have never quite made it....

#2 is wonderful. The others are very nice as well. Way to make that trip happen right after snowfall.

Great series!! Looks like a great day!!!

I love the snow on sand textures in #4.
Great set. I'm glad you had to change your plans.

Gorgeous Stan, making me homesick for Colorado!

An epic series! No faves in this remarkable set. Way to work a diverse offering of landscapes and light.

Those are fantastic, Stan! What a power-packed and diverse set.

# 2 with the dunes caked in snow is killer! The ice fractures are pretty awesome too.

When I saw the one on ESS I was hoping you had more! Really remarkable Stan and I can't even pick a fave. Would love to see that pano covering the wall of the lobby of the VC!

Stan;

Totally cool perspectives here. The snow on the dunes is a very unusual event and you've done a good job capturing it. Just imagine the dunes+snow+fullmoon... have fun, CR

Stan "THE DUNER" ... these are freak 'n awesome!!! #2 are #4 are my favorites!!! Your dune work is very very inspirational...I was supposed to be there but another failed story. Stop teasing us...please post the sunset shots soon..

A wonderfully illustrated travelogue!

The Park Service needs to pay you every time you take a photo of this area...another unbelievable series, Stan. Whenever I see that you have posted something I feel like a little kid waiting to open presents at Christmas.

Awesome series Stan. #2 is insane! I expect to see these in the VC on my next visit. I would say keep up the good work but that would be like telling JR Smith to keep shooting :P

#2 and #6 grabbed my attention-do you have one just of the snow covered dunes?

Stan--those pictures are awesome!! I liked them all. The two that stood out the most for me were #4 and #6. Killer shots!

#3 and #1 are super cool, Stan. They're all nice but those two are standouts, IMHO. We might be headed to the Dunes for 6 days in late April, unless I get booked up with clients. Your photos from here are always inspirational and are giving me the kick in the butt I need to get over there. Thanks, dude!

Great stuff, Stan. I love #2. I also really like the snow effect in #3.

Thanks folks! I finally got through the rest of the shots, will post a link to the whole series when i post it on my site. I posted the first of three sunset shots on ESS. Christopher--you aint kidding--ever since i read Jason Moore (author of Falcon Sangres guide) mention dunes+snow+full moon, ive beeen salivating at that prospect---some day!

#1, #2 & #4 are my favorites. What a great series of shots! I've never been to the dunes but after seeing your many, many awesome posts from there, I might have to add it to my "to do" list.

Awesome images! The light in #9 is great!

Stan, you need to put the photo gear away and get a life! Seriously, you need to chill!

Another great series!

Great series, didn't realize they got that much snow at at times.