Posted by Todd Caudle on September 12, 2011 at 8:09 PM
Well, I decided that the possibility of combining the Monument Valley Mitten Butte shadow with moonrise was just too good to pass up, so I made a banzai drive down there yesterday. I totally misjudged the time it would take to get there from Colorado Springs, and even with leaving at 10am, I got to the park at 6:40pm, 20 minutes before moonrise. Phew! Close call! It was killing me going through the San Juans with clouds hanging all over the place and lots of stormy weather all around, but I was so determined to get to MV in time that even if Elvis riding a unicorn had crossed Highway 145 right in front of me, I would've kept on truckin'. Didn't really matter, since the moon was a little farther right than I had thought it would be, just left of Merrick Butte, and there were thick, lightning-spitting clouds all around that prevented the infamous shadow scene from appearing. Oh well. I tried to get some lightning shots, because it was popping off all over the place, but failed in that attempt. This is the only scene I came away with for my 500-miles of trouble.
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 12, 2011 at 8:11 PM
On the plus side, rather than hang out another day and try again tonight, I headed back to Colorado, spent the night on Lizard Head Pass, and it rained steady all night long. That meant a good chance of fog in the valleys by morning. I headed over Ophir Pass and got over just in time for the sun to peek through and light the tundra hills in the distance. This might look over-saturated, but it's actually the sun just fading away, but still illuminating the hillside. The tundra is absolutely gorgeous right now!
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 12, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Finally, I won't post a bunch since I have a lot of variety, but I headed down to Highway 550, and there was fog up around Red Mountain Pass, so I made a beeline for there. Once on the pass I was still in the clouds, so I headed up the steep Black Bear Pass road til I was above the soup. As you can see, all the high peaks of the San Juans got a pretty good coat of snow last night. If that means we're in for snowcapped peaks to go with our golden aspens, all I can say is, bring it on, baby!
Posted by Stan Rose on September 12, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Love #2--now hurry and get back in time for the snow on Pikes Peak!
Posted by Stan Rose on September 12, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Holy friggin Toledo!! #3 is THE BOMB! One of the best fog shots ive ever seen from you--and that is saying a heck of a lot!
Posted by Joe Rogers on September 12, 2011 at 8:41 PM
Your trip was a sucess after all, although maybe not for the reason you went. Agree with Stan. #3 is absolutely gorgeous.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 12, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Holy **** that #3 is stunning Todd. The comp is beautiful and then you get the fog. Wow.
Posted by Bob Falcone on September 12, 2011 at 10:21 PM
#3 is wonderful, but I really like the silhouettes in the first one. I'm hoping the sun gods smile on Monument Valley on Tuesday night...
Posted by Jack Garrett on September 12, 2011 at 11:20 PM
WOW!!! Holy clouds Batman..you nailed that 3rd one!
I seem to be in the minority, but #2 is the shot that really resonates with me here. The combination of soft light and color saturation speaks softly, but sings.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 13, 2011 at 9:00 AM
ill give you a nickel if you post it in ESS--that gallery could use a nice boost...
Posted by Doug Koepsel on September 13, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Todd, Both 2&3 are jewels. I especially like the tones in 2. Be glad you booked it back to the mountains. No shadow Sunday or Monday night due to storms to the west. I came home to Flag last night so it's back to work.
Bob- hope the sun shines through for you tonight or Wednesday.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on September 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Really, really nice set Todd. I an perplexed on whether I like 2 or 3 better. I think it is a tie for me! I really love the painter feel of the 2nd one and all the layers of the third are excellent!
Posted by Morris McClung on September 13, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Love the pano with the cool blue and black. So quintessentially graphic!
Such sweetness in the color and light on the tundra, it is looking good everywhere I go.
And #3 is unbelievable with that color and layers and fog and light and snow and on and on and on!!!!!!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on September 14, 2011 at 11:03 AM
#3 is great and I like #1 too. The graphic aspect is very nice. I've done those all day blast road trips that seem for naught. I bet it was cool to have the lightning storm over MV.
Looks like I need to get out to the San Juans, great stuff!
Posted by Bob Falcone on September 14, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Doug,
Not so great. Read my post in the "Mitten Shadow?" topic.
Posted by John Mumaw on September 14, 2011 at 7:26 PM
The last is picture postcard perfect! Ready made for a calendar. And I like the silhouettes of the monoliths agains that dramatic skies. The panoramic crop is perfect for the scene!
Great way to make lemonade from that evening.
Posted by Ed Fuhr on September 17, 2011 at 10:48 PM
I like the graphic elements in the first shot. Too bad you couldn't capture a lightning strike like Stan just posted! But that might have been a bit risky there! The third is probably my favorite though. No one does fog better!
Discussion
19 repliesJoe Rogers
I seem to be in the minority, but #2 is the shot that really resonates with me here. The combination of soft light and color saturation speaks softly, but sings.
Bob- hope the sun shines through for you tonight or Wednesday.
Such sweetness in the color and light on the tundra, it is looking good everywhere I go.
And #3 is unbelievable with that color and layers and fog and light and snow and on and on and on!!!!!!
Looks like I need to get out to the San Juans, great stuff!
Not so great. Read my post in the "Mitten Shadow?" topic.
Great way to make lemonade from that evening.