Posted by Todd Caudle on April 18, 2010 at 4:44 PM
I headed towards my go-to spot in the Wet Mountains yesterday evening, but the weather was so bizarre that I had to push on to Westcliffe. When I first cleared Hardscrabble Canyon, it was through a steady mist which turned to dense fog, which turned to pouring rain and lightning, then back to fog, before breaking out into sunshine before the turn-off for Rosita Rd. Most of the Wet Mountain Valley was devoid of clouds, but while I was off looking for photos up towards Bigelow Divide, clouds apparently moved in, creating some rather dramatic conditions before moving north and settling in for the night.
One thing that was really cool, but that I failed to capture, was this enormous thunderhead cloud to the SE. All along the crest of the Wets, the low clouds and fog were pushing over. Then, in just this one spot, was this towering giant that looked like it would wreak havoc for people out towards Rye or Walsenburg on the other side of the range. As I tried to find a better foreground, mid-level clouds moved in and hid it from view. Should've listened to the mantra, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
Posted by Paul Martin on April 18, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Nice cloud work as usual, really gives the peaks some altitude. I know what you mean about passing up a really good shot while looking for perfection. I used to have more trouble with this concept, but now with digital I don't feel as bad about firing off a few shots in the pursuit. On this image -- did you try it in B&W? Just a thought since its fairly monochromatic.
Posted by Dan Walters on April 18, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Really like how the mtn is surrounded by all the clouds. Very nice!
A majestic shot, TC! Nothing makes mountains look bigger than to have clouds beneath or all around them, and this has all that!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on April 19, 2010 at 1:31 PM
That storm broke up with perfect timing Saturday evening. I wished I had headed down towards Rosita or up onto Rampart Range. You caught a nice shot of some good conditions.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on April 19, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Nice. Makes me feel like I have climbed to an adjacent peak above the clouds also, or am flying.
Posted by Bill Brennan on April 19, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Very nice. Also wondering about a BW version with some burning in the clouds.
Discussion
11 repliesOne thing that was really cool, but that I failed to capture, was this enormous thunderhead cloud to the SE. All along the crest of the Wets, the low clouds and fog were pushing over. Then, in just this one spot, was this towering giant that looked like it would wreak havoc for people out towards Rye or Walsenburg on the other side of the range. As I tried to find a better foreground, mid-level clouds moved in and hid it from view. Should've listened to the mantra, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
RichieV
Bill Brennan