I will be in the Loveland, Colorado area for three weeks in April. I need some help with shooting locations- animals and landscapes. Are the roads in RMNP open at that time ? It looks like the weather has been warming up there.
How about that rescheduled raptor shoot ? Where is that ?
Garden of the Gods looks like a must see.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Andrew
Posted by Joshua Hardin on March 16, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Hi Andrew. Hope you have a great visit to my hometown of Loveland next month. As far as RMNP goes: Trail Ridge Road will likely be closed still in April. Even in dry years it doesn't open until May. However, everything else on the east side of the park should be open. The Bear Lake road is undergoing a construction project but there shouldn't be delays until May when a shuttle bus system starts and the park gets much busier. Still, I recommend visiting early in the morning and checking out Bear and Dream Lakes, Moraine Park and Beaver Meadows for landscapes too. Watch for bighorn along the road in the Big Thompson Canyon between Loveland and Estes Park: even in mid-afternoon.
Not sure yet when the raptor shoot will be rescheduled. Stay tuned to the forum for more information. There are several places near Loveland where you might find birds though. Try Poudre Reservoir on the southeast side of Fort Collins which is known to have bald eagles in the area. Bring a long telephoto.
Garden of the Gods is great, though it's a two-hour drive (one way) from Loveland to Colorado Springs. Worth it, especially since you'll have three weeks to visit, though I'd also suggest Devil's Backbone Open Space just to the west of Loveland. It's like a mini Garden of the Gods and has some great rock formations to photograph.
There are several other locations around Denver and along I-70 that are within a couple of hours from Loveland. It sounds like with the amount of time you have you should have some flexibility to explore the extended area. I'm sure some of our other members can chime in with more suggestions. Good luck!
Andrew,
Pawnee Buttes could be another location to visit. They can be spectacular with the right light. There are about 90minutes northwest of Fort Collins.
Discussion
3 repliesHow about that rescheduled raptor shoot ? Where is that ?
Garden of the Gods looks like a must see.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Andrew
Not sure yet when the raptor shoot will be rescheduled. Stay tuned to the forum for more information. There are several places near Loveland where you might find birds though. Try Poudre Reservoir on the southeast side of Fort Collins which is known to have bald eagles in the area. Bring a long telephoto.
Garden of the Gods is great, though it's a two-hour drive (one way) from Loveland to Colorado Springs. Worth it, especially since you'll have three weeks to visit, though I'd also suggest Devil's Backbone Open Space just to the west of Loveland. It's like a mini Garden of the Gods and has some great rock formations to photograph.
There are several other locations around Denver and along I-70 that are within a couple of hours from Loveland. It sounds like with the amount of time you have you should have some flexibility to explore the extended area. I'm sure some of our other members can chime in with more suggestions. Good luck!
Pawnee Buttes could be another location to visit. They can be spectacular with the right light. There are about 90minutes northwest of Fort Collins.
Andrew