DEEEEP Dunes!

I did a little backpack deep into the SW portion of the dunemass (i stayed south for the best light, abnd kept going until i found the best bg/fg combo) As usual, the Dunes did not dissapoint! Here's a synopsis, in sequence (cause i know Todd likes stories...)
Starting at the southern end of the dunes, about an hour before sunset
1) The Mindbender

2) After about 3 hours of hiking, i found this great curvy crest that i knew would be perfect for sunset...

3) A closer look at the backwards 'S' that i fell in love with...

4) I figured sunset would be great with all the cirrus, but as often happens at the dunes, when the sun fell behind the mountains, the light died and the clouds were gray, and i started to think it might bust, until 5 minutes later...

5) Then all the cirrus to the north started glowing pink---awesome!

6) My favorite curve with Crestones and pink clouds--sweet!

7) As night fell, i didnt get much sleep...besides the fact that it was really cold, how could i sleep when there so much happening in the night sky? I counted 6 meteors, a bunch of satellites, here's Venus rising--so clear i could make out its phase!

8) Then when the moon was getting ready to rise (that shot in future post...) the cirrus lit up this eerie blue, it looked like some crazy distant fire or aurora...

9) I went a bit further east for sunrise, for what i figured would be better light.

10) Sunrise was largely cloud blocked, but there were some cool moments early on...
Thats all--in Jack's honor, best shot on ESS shortly (shot between #4 and #5 )

Stan ~ Awesome series as usual. I bet you had the place to yourself!

Those are absolutely fantastic, Stan.
Joe Rogers

Hate to be a "ditto head", but these are really good.

Wish I was there to take them. Jealousy is such a harsh mistress.

Very, very nice Stan. I agree that the best is on ESS but they are all nice. I especially like the last one. I loved visiting the dunes the year that we lived in Pueblo many years ago. What precautions do you take to protect your gear while out on the dunes?

I loathe walking in sand so much that if I hiked three hours, I'd still be within sight of my truck! these are really impressive, Stan. I'll bet you didn't have to worry about encountering any human footprints to mar your shots.

Nope no footprints, no people probably for miles. Lots of animal tracks though thanks to no wind--either lots of small coyotes or foxes (ive never seen a fox there tho...)
Chad--i must confess, i dont do much to protect my gear other than keep it covered as much as possible. Which is why im forced to buy new gear quite often...

Sweet collection! Love #3, #5 and #8!! Beautiful scenery, no trail, no people - sound PERFECT!

Great set. I always enjoy your work. Love the sequence/story.

Nice set of images from the Dunes Master. Really like #2 and #4.

Killer series. How cold did it get?

RichieV

Tremendous Stan. All are awesome but #8 is incredible.

Stan,
My preference goes to #6 in this series with the s-curve and pink sky. It seems a stronger image than the ESS post (which I also like). Have you considered a vertical crop with your ESS image simlar to what you have with #6? That would combine the nice colors of the ESS image with the strong leading line of the S-curve.

#10 seems to have too much of a blue cast to me seen off the brush.

How hard-packed is the sand there at GSD to walk across?

I like 4 the best, it's beautiful.

Hi Stan, as I debate switching to the dark side, I'm curious to what your ISO settings were for images 1, 3 and 6. Shadow noise is a concern of mine with the 5dII.

Stan, I would like to join up for a possible Dunes trip after mid January if that interests you.

Kane

More wonderful work from "Stan'sland." 3, 4, and 6 really grab me.

Thanks folks! Im glad at least a couple people like #8--i have a shot to come with the rising moon and i like those two because they look pretty much exactly as i experienced them.

Ritchie: Dont know exactly, but somehwere between 10 and 15 degrees. I left my camera out all night, and the battery was still strong in the morning...
Doug: depends on what part of the dune you walk on--some of it is quite soft, some hard-packed. I try to walk on the hard stuff...

Kane: yeah, we definitely should do a winter dunes thing--just nothing crazy like Jack's circumnavigation... My ISO was 100 on everything except the star shots (1600), no reason to go any higher here.

I still think the E,S&S shot is my fave, but I do love 6 and 3. Truthfully, these are all great, Stan.

#3 is the money shot IMO Stan, I am sure you will do a book one day.

Wow Stan - wonderful !

This is your place, Stan...you are its master. Simply superb!

Another fantastic set. The one on ESS is definitely the killer shot. Not sure about #5; had to look at it too much to figure out if I liked it.Still not sure. The rest are great.

These are incredible, love that one over on ess. Fantastic work all around.

Very DEEEEP Stan, very DEEEEP. Another excellent set of images. You should just set up 'shop' at the Dunes.

Stand....incredible as always. I think my favs are 2,6,8 and 10. Like Todd, I also don't like hiking in the sand....so that makes this evenmore impressive IMO.

Amazing images!! Love the detail in that first image! Love the sky in #8 as well.

#8 is simply amazing! Definitely a wall hanger.