La Plata/Indian Trail Ridge Flowers

Here are some selections from my last major collection of wildflower photos taken a couple weeks ago. These are from the La Plata Mountains west of Durango mostly in the area between Kennebec Pass and Indian Trail Ridge. I was there for two days and saw all kinds of weather from a vivid sunset, to fog, to an almost all-day deluge of rain to partly cloudy skies. The image above was taken in the morning of the second day with clearing skies on top of ITR. It's a pano stitch of 6 shots.

LARGE version here: http://www.viewfindermedia.com/forumpics/LaPlataPano1-lg.jpg

This one was taken just a little bit earlier from the one above with more clouds and some dappled light on the peaks.

This one was taken almost at the same time as the previous shot with a slightly lower angle, a more level horizon and some different varied light on the peaks.

Mid-afternoon from the previous day when there was about a two-hour break in the long rainstorm. This from the Colorado Trail under ITR looking toward Columbus Basin.

About the same time as the last image taken from a higher angle looking at some horseback riders along Taylor Lake.

Some crazy fog and corn lily near the Kennebec Pass Trailhead taken earlier that morning.

The best of the morning alpenglow I was able to capture during the trip, seen from the Colorado Trail. Clouds prevented more color, but the subtle lighting is not too bad.

The first night's sunset.

On the way back down I spotted some marmots hanging out on the mine ruins.

Marmot.

...and the last image another marmot closeup.

Nice collection Josh! The Taylor Lake shot just screams Colorado!

Ditto what Alexs said. I really like #2 and #4. Oh and the second marmot shot is great!

A fine collection, well done!

Wow, what a haul! There's not a single one of these I don't like, but the second marmot shot is absolutely fantastic. All the abstract geometric appeal of rusty old machinery, plus a marmot!

#4 and #5 are my favorites....fine series Josh.
Joe Rogers

Geez Josh, I'd be happy with just one of your awesome trips this summer! But wow, this one rocks! That Taylor Lake image does scream Colorado like Aleks said, really represents it perfectly! Great stuff!

Taylor Lake image is outstanding as are all the rest. Photographic excellence!

Stunning clarity and color in all of those landscape shots. And the marmot shots are great! Wonderful series, and what a productive summer you are having!

Really digging #2. And probably the Taylor Lake shot even more so. Good to see the marmots making use of the old relics. :)

Mighty fine collection!

Phenomenal set, Josh!! All great, but #7 is just KILLER.

Love the marmots! And the rest aint bad either!

Very nice, Josh. I especially like #4 & #7.

All are very good - I liked #3, #4 and #6 a lot.

My favorite is #2, simply striking!

Wonderful. Beautiful. Makes me long for the mountains again.

Rob

(Austin, TX)

I spent a couple of weekends up there for wildflowers (..only live 50 miles awwy), and it was outstanding. You did a terrific job in showing just how great the conditions were.
And I sure remember those cute marmots at the parking area!

Great series - looks like it was a good flower year!

Great flowers and composition. The upper images seem a little to contrasty but that's just my opinion, I'm sure others will disagree.