Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:39 PM
...Beats the Dunes!
I did my traditional once a month trip before beginning a string of night shifts Wednesday. I figured the overnight storm would leave some nice conditions behind. Was hoping for more snow on the dunes, and when i saw that wasnt happening i headed north to Medano Creek, which was just amazing in its frozen state. Had the whole park to meeself...tis a beautiful thing...
Here's the Sangres and creek at sunset.
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:41 PM
2) started off with some B&Ws up on the crest. The snowmelt really made some crazy sculptures in the sand
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:41 PM
3) One more from up top...
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:42 PM
4) Headed down for the creek and willows...
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:43 PM
5) Crazy clouds around Herard
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:45 PM
6) I think i prefer the creek frozen...
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:46 PM
7) Magnificent sunset--the dunes never disappoint!
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:49 PM
8) This may not be my 'best' dunes shot, but as a weather geek its now one of my all time favs--i lucked out and caught a sun dog reflecting in the ice! I have a vertical also that i will be working on soon...
Posted by Stan Rose on December 16, 2011 at 10:51 PM
9) Finally, the tracks in Winter always provide a source of entertainment--i can just picture this critter bouncing down the snow-cvovered sand! Til next time--
Posted by Phillip Noll on December 16, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Wow! Your black and whites are awesome!!
Posted by Art Escobado on December 17, 2011 at 1:16 AM
i really like the second image in this series Stan. Great shot!
Posted by Howard Cihak on December 17, 2011 at 1:53 AM
Stan, your 1st image is nothing less than gorgeous.
Posted by Todd Caudle on December 17, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Another mind-boggling series, Stan! It's been so long since I've shot anywhere but the occasional Pikes Peak/Garden excursion, I might've forgotten how it's done. Might have to take a trip to the Dunes and see if any of your mastery rubs off on me.
That sun dog is awesome!!!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on December 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Stan, 1&2 are the best of show for me.
#1- Certainly the cloud color and reflection of the willow on the ice are nice. While the snow patch in the LRC adds to the comp, it does pull my eye away from the sunset. Overall though its addition is good, imo.
#2- Looks great in B&W which serves the clouds and mountains well. The ridge is a great lead. My perspective is that the leading ridge is a little long though, and some 1/8 could be cropped.
#6- The orange reflection seems incongrous with the yellow cloud.
Posted by Scott Bacon on December 17, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Love, love, love the complex composition in #2 - fantastic!
Posted by Erik Stensland on December 18, 2011 at 12:45 PM
The first three are top notch!!!
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on December 18, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Makes me want to trek down there! Looks like a great scene! I like #2 the best for my tastes. Great contrast in the sky!
Posted by Dan Walters on December 21, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Awesome images! Like the clouds and color in the first. Like the colors reflecting in the ice.
Discussion
18 repliesI did my traditional once a month trip before beginning a string of night shifts Wednesday. I figured the overnight storm would leave some nice conditions behind. Was hoping for more snow on the dunes, and when i saw that wasnt happening i headed north to Medano Creek, which was just amazing in its frozen state. Had the whole park to meeself...tis a beautiful thing...
Here's the Sangres and creek at sunset.
That sun dog is awesome!!!
#1- Certainly the cloud color and reflection of the willow on the ice are nice. While the snow patch in the LRC adds to the comp, it does pull my eye away from the sunset. Overall though its addition is good, imo.
#2- Looks great in B&W which serves the clouds and mountains well. The ridge is a great lead. My perspective is that the leading ridge is a little long though, and some 1/8 could be cropped.
#6- The orange reflection seems incongrous with the yellow cloud.