"Uncontested" Fall

Here's a few from my fall travels this year. I probably spent more time photographing Ancestral Puebloan sites in Mesa Verde, Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients (some of those images coming soon in a future post) more than the aspen this season. I had a few foliage images I kind of liked and thought about entering into the Fall Contest. However, after seeing the ridiculously beautiful images that are in there I'm glad I didn't. All of them are amazing. Now I can just sit back, vote and enjoy without worrying about having to compete against them this year . Your C&Cs on these photos are welcomed and appreciated but don't forget to vote for your favorite Fall Contest images too!

First, a rainbow following a fast-moving thunderstorm in Mueller State Park near Divide, CO.

Cumulus clouds build over Gothic Mountain as an aspen-covered hillside above Washington Gulch is spotlit by the setting sun. Near Crested Butte, CO.

The East River meanders behind a hillside of aspen as seen from Gothic Road near Crested Butte.

Why aren't these in the contest??????? They are fabulous! Excellent work, Josh!!

Nice work on both shots, but I wish you would have entered them into the contest.

Having once lived in Gothic many years ago, it's amazing to me how different that mountain can look depending on which side you are facing.

Golden ferns under the aspen forest of the McClure Pass summit.

Oops...posted before seeing the third image. Love it!

Come on!

East Beckwith Mountain and a line of aspen in fall foliage are reflected in the waters of a grassy corner of Lost Lake. Late morning near Crested Butte.

Last one Adam, Phil, I promise. Aspen leaves in fall foliage glow in intense golden hues when lit from behind by the setting sun. Near Independence Pass, Aspen, CO.

Alright. What's the deal?? These are all spectacular!! You really should have entered them into the contest!

I think he is afraid that he would win!

What a great collection! I have a very similar Lost Lake image on my wall so I'm drawn to that one most.

You are kidding, right?!? In behalf of the contestants.....WHEW!

I really like that East River shot, great perspective--it might have made my top 5 if not my top 3 in the contest (just to rub it in, Josh ) Also like the rainbow shot a lot! Thanks for sharing!

Wow - they are beautiful Josh !

Beautiful set Josh. There's an interesting but beautiful processing technique going on here. I can't put my finger on the style but I really don't care. These images pop with Color, and I love Color! Your yellows are true Gold and your greens appear Lime. Also, your sharpening technique is steller. Such nice crisp images, even with the dreaded NPN compression.

One word: WOW.

The light in 2 is really nice, making it my choice. The aspen groups on the far side of the river in 3 pop nicely.

Dude, you should've entered, these shots are killer! That first one might've taken home the gold, so to speak.

These are stunning! The third one is actually my favorite of the bunch. Wow, what a haul for someone who spent most of their autumn shooting ruins!

Thanks for your kind words everyone. I liked these images this year but there were also just too many in the contest already that I put in the "WOW I wish I would have taken that!" category . Just a few more hours to vote for your contest favs. Good luck to the participants!

This is a really strong collection! I can't believe you didn't enter some of these!