Sunday, August 28, 2016

Chill Of An Early Fall?

Vermilion Peak, early snow, August 27.
This past week has been exceptionally cool for late August in Four Corners Country. Oh, sure, a weather anomaly can send you a respite from the summer heat for a day or two.

But not like this, and it looks to continue for a while at least.

Thus when I returned to Lizard Head Pass in southwest Colorado's San Juan Mountains I probably should not have been wearing shorts and a t-shirt. As I drove higher and higher up the Dolores River watershed, that became clearer and clearer. At the pass, it was hailing. Then cold rain. Then a break before repeating again and again.

A muddy campsite. Clouds shifting around the high peaks delightedly. Changing to warmer clothing. Cooking up a campsite stew, and coffee. Retreating to the vehicle in the hail and rain.

Savoring the views. Appreciating the experience.

© Copyright 2016 Stephen J. Krieg

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Moonset Over Navajo Mountain

Full Moon moonset at dawn over Navajo Mountain.
I was on the southern rim of Cedar Mesa in southeast Utah for the August Full Moon.

The weather was pleasant enough for this time of year, breezy and not very hot. Wonderful for mid August. But it was semi-overcast on the eastern horizon, so my moonrise shots were brief, through a gap in the clouds.

I was camped on the rim, 1,000 feet above the San Juan River valley near Mexican Hat, and for most of the night got to enjoy a moonlit night.

At dawn it was clear, so I got up and waited for moonset. It looked like the moon was going to set right behind Navajo Mountain far to the southwest in Arizona.

And just as the almost risen sun tinged the moon a slight pink, I made this shot. I waited to see if I could get one of it actually starting to disappear behind Navajo Mountain, but a thin cloud bank on the western horizon made the moon disappear that much too early.

Photo location: Cedar Mesa, San Juan County, Utah.

© Copyright 2016 Stephen J. Krieg

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Sheep Mountain Summer Sunset

A slit in the clouds at sunset allowed the sun through onto the lower flanks of Sheep Mountain.
Rainy weather in the high country of southwest Colorado lost its power at sunset time, as it often does, making for constantly changing landscape light.

Subalpine meadow vegetation shows even more saturated colors when wet.
High country shadows and light at sunset.
Fog and forest.
A closeup of Sheep Mountain's crags.
A tinge of sunset colors in the summit-clinging clouds.
© Copyright 2016 Stephen J. Krieg

Monday, August 8, 2016

San Juans Summer Evening

San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
A rainy, rainy summer day. It seemed like I was following the wet weather up into the San Juans.

I found a campsite and settled in. Raining so hard I stayed in the truck and enjoyed it from there, listening to the radio.

As sunset approached, the clouds parted.

Photo location: San Juan Mountains, southwest Colorado.

© Copyright 2016 Stephen J. Krieg

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Dirty Devil River Bridge Shadow

The Dirty Devil River. from Highway 95.
Down to Hite, down to the Colorado River. Summertime. Hot. Longing for autumn.

© Copyright 2016 Stephen J. Krieg