A small patch of color along Highway 92, Colorado.
Finding nice patches of color has been a bit difficult, I think most photographers are hoping it improves next week. This was the best patch of color I have seen in awhile.
The National Parks, Americas Best Idea by Ken Burns
Cameraman Buddy Squires, producer Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.
I thought I would do a quick reminder that the Ken Burns series on our National Parks will begin airing Sunday evening on PBS.
As you may know, I helped out a bit when Florentine Films was filming in Kenai Fjords back in 2003 – they have been working on this film for sometime. Ken, Dayton and Buddy were some of the most interesting people I have ever met, and could tell fascinating stories about the people they have met and places they had seen thanks to their past projects. What doesn’t come across in the television interviews I have seen is Ken’s wonderful sense of humor – the group of us sure had a lot of fun, I don’t think I have ever laughed so much while out in the field!
I had the chance to see much of the Alaska portion of the coverage of this series and it was really well done. I can’t imagine the research that must go into a project like this. The series talked at length about people like Adolph Murie, Bradford and Barbara Washburn, Charles Sheldon and Joe Quigley – all people that are well known to Alaskans, but may be unfamiliar to most Americans. I look forward to learning about similar people from other parts of the United States who may be unfamiliar to me.
I don’t think I’ll have a chance to watch it right now – we don’t get much in the way of TV right now, and we are kinda busy, but I do look forward to watching it once we are back in Alaska. Here is the PBS site with much more information including times for The National Parks, Americas Best Idea.
Ken Burns pretending to be deeply engrossed by a beach stone as he hams it up for my camera. He was hilarious. At the time I was sorry my flash didn't fire, but in hindsight, I like the silhouette.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte, Colorado.
Crested Butte is a really cool little ski town! The old buildings in the main part of town have been carefully restored and colorfully painted – it is like this on both sides of the street for a number of blocks. This town has a ton of character, and the surrounding area offers endless outdoor activities.Read More
Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park
Janine at a viewpoint in Black Canyon Gunnison National Park, Colorado.
Last week we were in one of the busiest National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park. Last night we visited one most people probably never have heard of, Black Canyon of Gunnison Natonal Park, but we weren’t at all disappointed, it is a beautiful Park! It consists primarily of Black Canyon. Black Canyon is very dramatic, at places over 2,700 feet deep, with solid rock walls full of interesting shapes, patterns and textures – a photographers dream! We plan on returning and spending a bit more time at this little gem.
Painted Wall, Black Canyon Gunnison National Park, Colorado.
For the image of Painted Wall, I used a 3 stop graduated neutral density filter, and a blend of two different exposures.
By the way, thanks for all the great location suggestions and advice I have received from readers of my last few posts – I really appreciate it!
Here are more pictures of the Black Canyon of Gunnision National Park, Colorado.
Red Aspen
Red Aspen during a snow storm, Monarch Pass, Colorado.
I love finding the occasional patch of red aspen – they really stand out in the sea of yellow.
When we passed through Monarch Pass a couple of days ago the colors were amazing. We went back yesterday to find most of them had past, I’m sure thanks to the stormy weather. Lots of areas around here are still green, and the stormy weather didn’t hurt those trees, so I think there will be lots of fall to come!
Here are many more fall photos of Colorado.
Engineer Pass, Colorado
Looking up towards Engineer Pass, Colorado.
We have moved down to Gunnison Colorado and are now trying to figure our way around this new area. I think we are a tad early for the fall colors, which is good as it gives up more time to scout around this beautiful region. Yesterday we explored down a couple of long dirt roads towards Engineer Pass and then Cinnamon Pass, both were a couple of great looking areas above the cool little town of Lake City, Colorado. We look forward to returning as the colors progress.
See lots more Colorado pictures.
Current Conditions Rocky Mountain National Park Fall Colors
Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
As you can see, the fall colors in the high elevations are beginning to change nicely – this was from Saturday morning. The lower elevations still have a lot of green – if I had to predict, I think this upcoming week will be a lot better with next weekend possibly being the best. Monday’s predicted cold front could add some nice snow on the mountains and could speed the change up a bit. I’m getting excited for the fall colors!
Sky Pond
Sky Pond, with Lake of Glass in the distance, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Our original plan was to spend the night in this beautiful setting, but Park rules don’t allow back-country camping in this area. There is a single back-country campsite about two miles from here, but it had been booked long ago. So, we hiked up, waited for a sunset that never developed, and then hiked out with the last three miles by headlamp in the dark. Although we couldn’t spend the night, it was still a great trip!
By the way, the waterfall in yesterday’s post, Timberline Falls, is just below the distant lake, Lake of Glass.
I have come the conclusion that hiking in the dark is not that much fun – you miss out on the scenery as you stare at the dirt and rocks in your light-beam five feet in front of you for boring mile after mile – I begin to feel like I’m driving. And, even through it seems like you are going fast, we have found we are a bit slower in the dark. But, had there been a great sunset, it would have been so worth it. Actually, it was worth it anyways.
Sharktooths rising above Sky Pond, RMNP, Colorado.
To this far side of the lake was about a five mile steady climbing hike to almost 11,000 feet. Just as I was feeling pretty good about how quickly we made it to this high country destination, I noticed 4 people repelling off one of the Sharthtooths! Geeze, our hike was probably barely a warm up for them.
The top photo was .8 of a second at f/14 and ISO 100 and a polarizer and two stop graduated neutral density filter. The bottom image was a blend of two photos, one for the sky, one for the rest.
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