The forecast was for snow today, and it didn't disappoint. The Canyonlands were layered with several inches of fresh snow. The best part was that the gate was closed when I drove up but the rangers were courteous enough to let me through. So, other than their plow, I was the only person up there. I love breaking trail to Mesa Arch in fresh snow, as this icon is a spot I normally avoid, unless I'm the only one there like today! Then it's more than photography, it's a feeling of the way it used to be... dead quiet, red rock, snow, and ravens following me.
Super jealous Craig that you got these conditions and there was also no one else to get in your way. All wonderful images but my favorite is #1 for the composition, clouds and rim light in the distance.
3rd is a best shot here. I like the mesa in the distance poking through the clouds. Adds a super depth to the shot. Wonder about B&W with this one? Might work.
Really really nice .......but I want to be warm. I want to stay in Death Valley, Mojave, Joshua Tree, and not the bitter winter cold of Canyonlands. You are just causing me no end of emotion distress.
Wayne and Andrew, there are times when just being there supercedes photography. The being there part is why I do this anyway, and if I get a nice image all the better. That was the case yesterday. It's like fresh tracks when skiing, being first is a rare treat.
Gordon, I may try that, not that I'm an expert on B&W.
Camperjim, I was frozen when I got home. What the camera doesn't capture well is the wind, which was whipping all day.
This day really helped my portfolio (Ha!). However, here's the weird thing - with the exception of a few standouts, all shots were about equal. I was somewhat limited at Mesa Arch because although the fresh snow was fantastic, it also completely eliminated my ability to look for new perspectives since I couldn't climb up on anything or wander near the cliff edge, and I didn't want to track the snow as to save for morning. - if that makes sense. Plus with the great atmospherics going on I simply spent too much time in one location.
With the snow these scenes are surely a whole lot different from what I saw at Island in the Sky when I was there in early October. I especially like the first and last photos. But the third one is my favorite. Very nice!
