Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · RMNP

Dark Side of the Dunes

Discussion

18 replies
Posted by Stan Rose on October 4, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Dark Side of the Dunes
Let me tell you, backpacking 16 miles in sand is tough on the ankles...
Anyhow, I wanted to add to my fall colors collection from the dunes, so i backpacked out to Sand Creek from the west side (Crestone-Liberty). Kind of a boring hike but the nice cottonwoods etc by the creek made up for things. Here's a short sampler...
Sunset from the creek
Posted by Stan Rose on October 4, 2010 at 12:42 PM
2 It was interesting watching the cold front to the east trying unsuccessfully to spill over the Sangres...
Posted by Stan Rose on October 4, 2010 at 12:43 PM
3) One lone thunderstorm made its way out to the valley, made for a pretty sunset...
Posted by Stan Rose on October 4, 2010 at 12:44 PM
4) One more at sunset. Not the most productive trip, but it gave me some ideas for future trecking. :smile:
Posted by Amy Lindsey on October 4, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Very pretty, Stan! I like #1 and #3 best.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on October 4, 2010 at 1:15 PM
#2 & #3 are my favorite. Beautiful light. Love the unique Sand Dune composition.
Posted by Erik Aagaard on October 4, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Sixteen miles?? You must be ready for the Ironman! I thought hiking a mile or so (round trip) up and down those suckers was plenty.

I've admired your dune shots for a long time, and these are up to your usual standards. My personal favorites here are #1 and #4 for the simple lines and gorgeous light, although the Caudle Clouds (tm) in #2 are way cool.
Posted by Stan Rose on October 4, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Thanks, Erik! To clarify--the 16 miles was on mostly flat though sandy terrain to the west--if i had done 16 miles in the actual dunes it would have killed me :biggrin:
Posted by John Mumaw on October 4, 2010 at 2:58 PM
My favorite is your non-Dunes #4. Great light!
I've always thought that cottonwood trees in their autumn glory were just as majestic as the aspens.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on October 4, 2010 at 3:04 PM
I just love 3 and 4, giving the nod to #4. Sounds like a great trip, Stan.
Posted by Morris McClung on October 4, 2010 at 4:27 PM
Not productive???? Are you crazy? That first one has such a great mix of cool pastel and warm colors. All of them have great color and light. :toast:
Posted by Soubhik Patranabis on October 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM
Great set again - I cannot pick a fav here , all of them are wonderful.
Posted by Dave Showalter` on October 4, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Uh, Stan, #'s 1, 3 and 4 make this a motherload! Great work! :toast:
Posted by Doug Koepsel on October 4, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Liking #1. The soft curves and mauve of the dunes contrast well with the saturation of the foreground cotonwoods to capture my attention.
Posted by Don George on October 5, 2010 at 8:45 AM
You really captured the light. Number 1,4 are my favorites.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on October 5, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Awesome stuff again Stan! The colors are excellent in these. My favs are 1 and 3
Posted by Pam Colander on October 5, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Another nice set from your second (or first!) home...I like them all equally.
Posted by Jeff Beard on October 6, 2010 at 12:08 AM
These are great! I particularly like the light #3 and #4, with #4 being my favorite
Posted by Jeff Hackett on October 8, 2010 at 9:26 AM
Nice light and color. Really dig the dune textures and the poppin' cottonwoods.