A Cold Canyon

Peter Coskun and I went to the Grand Canyon and then to Monument valley for the Hot Air Balloon Event. The night at the canyon was a cold sleep in the back of the truck as it got down to about -9* Saturday morning.

Here are my picks from the evening at Hopi Point and the sunrise at Lipan Point. We did not know if there was to be any sunrise light as the predawn made it look like clouds were blanketing down into the canyon. Fortunately, it was a single snow cloud that passed over right before sunrise allowing a view to the wet into the canyon. The Larger image posted here is from a 7-image 52MP pano stitch from Lipan. Suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.

#2 The snow cloud that passed through at sunrise made for some nice pink light. This may be my favorite from this canyon trip.

#3 Red Rim
The sun beamed across towards Point Imperial and gave the peaks a red glow. What do you think about having a tighter pano crop?

#4 Temple Light
The sun spotlighted the top of this temple Friday evening.

#5 Light across the ridges, as caught with the 300mm

#6 Magenta Snow
Sunset Friday night gave a colorful light to the snow falling across from Hopi Point.
(last one)

That's a nice set of images! It was -19F yesterday at sunrise, and the wind was blowing. My workshop client, from Florida, had about 5 layers on and I set her up with 8 "Hot Hands" hand warmers. Yep...it's been cold.

All are very well done. I really like the light and color in all of them. I like #2 as well, and the pano is sweet, but they are all strong images.

Love those colors in #1.

Great set, Doug! May even have been worth getting out of a warm sleeping bag, eh?
#2 is my favorite, with #6 a very close second. I'm quite fond of the pre-sunrise/post-sunset light that you captured. #2 is really original, too. That's one for the gallery, surely. Yes, the pano in #3 could use a tighter crop. The balance and light on the middle buttes (left center, center and perhaps the right) really appeal to me. I'd be interested in seeing what kind of crop you have in mind.
Excellent work here!

Looks like you made the most of what we had. I'm going through my stuff and second guessing a lot of it. That light from lipan was a treat.

Winter in the Canyon must be such a treat! Next winter, it's on my list! Beautiful photos Doug, I really like the one with snow falling and being illuminated by the sunset...really a killer photo!

Thanks for the comments. The contrast in #6 in the post here looks higher than wanted.
Adam, I have packets of the hot hands at home, but they do no good left in the drawer
Ryan, a clearing snowstorm makes the best view at the GC, in my opinion.
John, here is how I might crop #3

Great stuff, Doug! The lavender light and snow is really wonderful, and very well captured. I too think #2 is the winner. The sweep of #1 is spectacular, though I'd probably crop just a bit off the left. Those glowing mists in #6 are definitely not to be sneezed at either!

Just love the first image. Wonderful cool colors.

"Magenta Snow" = wow. We've all seen many Grand Canyon images, but very few look like that. Must have been a fantastic experience to witness that weather phenomenon. Thanks for sharing these with us Doug.