A Fantasy Materializes

No, not that kind of fantasy!

As many (most?) of you know, I've been shooting Garden of the Gods literally for decades. Yesterday I got conditions that I had long envisioned, but that I had never seen. After shooting Pikes Peak at sunrise from the east side of town (see below), it looked like fog was still hanging around the foothills, so I headed that way. I got up to the Mesa overlook and it was totally socked in. I waited. Before too long, the top of Pikes Peak began to show. Time to grab the camera and tripod and get set up. As I stood there in awe, the clouds lowered to reveal just the tops of the rock formations, first just a little outcrop near the Tower of Babel, then the Tower itself, and then, as seen here, most of the top of North Gateway Rock, including Kissing Camels. Wow!

The fog bank continued to crawl southward, unfurling Cathedral Rock's twin high points.

After shooting many iterations of this scene, I bolted down into the Garden, where the fog had begun to reassert its presence. These are just moments in time, but the sequence of shots with the fog revealing the rock formations is something I will enjoy looking at for a long time to come.

Here's a Pikes Peak sunrise shot (3-shot stitch), taken off of Woodmen Road way out by Powers Blvd. So much for my original plan to head up Rampart Range Road -- this spot is maybe five minutes from my apartment!

Beautiful images and conditions Todd, love that last one.

Amazing weather conditions, and you captured them perfectly! Extra 'Wow!' 's to #'s 1 & 4.

Outstanding weather conditions. Congratz on that kinda luck!

Great stuff, Todd! These are all wonderful, but that 3rd one, the spires in the fog, is otherworldly and is my favorite.

Great set of surrealistic images. Really like the Pikes peak stitch.

Pretty sweet stuff!

Well, Todd, it looks like the Weather Gods decided you had paid your dues and were entitled to your fantasy at last. And you clearly made the most of it.

Wow! Incredible series. Living that close to such a cool place must definitely take the sting out of getting up early for a cold sunrise. I love #1 and the stitch. Those are indeed some unique conditions even for the "cloud man!"

Incredible shots! #1 and 4 get my vote!

What great luck!

Persistance + skill x epic conditions = "luck".

Wow ! loved #1 and #4.

Aamazing images! That first one is fantastic!

I'm jealous, I was getting off work at 8:20AM, by the time I made it to the west side of town on my way home it was 8:40AM and I enjoyed the parting of the clouds as PP came into view on Hwy 24 near Manitou. Didn't have my camera but wished I had taken it with me.

Todd, of these I like the pano, and the spires of #3 which might also make a nice B&W also.

Interesting stuff, Todd, i really like the last two especially! You might be interested in the email i just sent you....

Todd: You are the fantasy-man! These are truly terrific, especially the unfurling Cathedral Rocks. At first it looked like a volcano unleashing its fury. Lots to be said about being at the right place at the right time, but more to be said about your superior photographic skills!!

Just an excellent set of images, TC! You do clouds so well! And they seem to find you often. When it comes to these shots, you just make your own luck.