We needed a break from the Sneffels so we drove east up a really bumpy road with lots of switchbacks named Owl Creek Pass or CR 10. Photographers that we had run into told us there was some good Aspen up on the road and if we drove 'long enough' we would got to Jack Silver Reservoir. We were also told that sunset was the best time. Rick just sent me an email and noted that this is the area where the movie True Grit with John Wayne was filmed. May have to finally watch the movie! Thanks Rick.
This is part of the Cimarron Ridge and is part of the Uncompahgre National Forest. The ridge runs somewhat perpendicular to the Sneffels Mountain Range.
Tom is into dramatic skies these days!
Different focal length
Karen had a very specific image that she was looking for. She may not have gotten the one she wanted, but she got some excellent images going for it.
Tom also had a specific composition in mind. I don't think this is the one he wanted, but I love it.
After 12 miles of bumping along this very dusty road we came around a curve and saw a dozen cars parked with about 20 photographers standing in front of tripods on the other side of the road looking at something. We were surprised!! So, of course we HAD to find a parking space and check it out. We did not know that we would be passing by a favorite spot to photograph Chimney Rock at sunset. We grabbed our tripods and tried to find a good spot without being rude to other photographers. It was about 45 minutes before sunset so we did what you would expect . . . chat with other photographers, compare photography apps, check and recheck our settings and capture an image if the light changed, even slightly. The following images are pretty much the same in composition as we were not moving around (don't want to lose your prime real estate). As I think back, I wish I had set up a time-lapse sequence as the clouds were moving quickly and towards the end the color changed enough that it could have been interesting.
Karen's position and her attention to composition brought out the fence on the left. I actually did not realize the fence was there until I got home and looked at my images. Oh Karen, I love your fence!
Tom started photographing from a slight hill behind us. It gave him a slightly different perspective (not so much meadow in front). He later moved down to be next to us.
Everyone was excited when the sun dropped low enough to give some direct perpendicular light on the rock. Clouds made it more interesting as sometimes the trees were lit up and sometimes just the rock. Seldom both at the same time. Tom got lucky on this one. Whenever the light got interesting you could hear the camera clicks in unison.
Tom pulls out his fisheye lens to check out the scene. There is more color developing and the lens can give you a more dramatic sky.
We were told the Chimney would turn a redish color. It did, ever so briefly.
Boo hoo! My rock is not red! Boo hoo! Must have been asleep at the clicker!
A few photographers stayed for blue hour photography. We chose to head down the road. We joined a long line of cars. What a great afternoon photo trip. Wish you had been along with us.