Congratulations to Ross Martin for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 9 votes - View Previous Winners
Hey y’all! I'm really excited to share something with FM that just happened a few days ago.
From my first visit to Zion National Park two decades ago I immediately fell in love with this special place, and after multiple trips in autumn and spring I began dreaming of a day I could catch fresh snow on these spectacular canyons. I was here last winter but the weather did not cooperate.
This year I was photographing in Arizona when I got word of the big winter storm forecast, so I jammed up to Zion’s Watchman campground the day before the storm and anxiously waited it out, hoping for the best. Over a period of about 48 hours it began to snow, at times a near-blizzard as you can see in some of the photos, and the final day was mostly a glorious blue sky and sun lighting up the fresh winter wonderland which provided a different set of imaging opportunities compared to the overcast snowy day (I loved both!).
This is the fulfillment of a dream of mine! But now I want more :-) Perhaps next winter. I hope you enjoy these images that come from my heart of passion for Zion.
All the best,
Ross
Late morning light splashes across Towers of the Virgin
B&W accents a backlit snowy tree
Blizzard at Temple of Sinawava
Cottonwoods with snow against glorious blue sky
Snow highlights cliff patterns
Plastered cottonwoods take on an ethereal look
A natural fortress glows in sunset spotlight
Ending the day with dusk over the incredible Kolob Canyons
Ross, not only did you fulfilled your dream but you hit it out of the ball park! Just outstanding work as usual. Thanks for sharing a wintery set of Zion.
keepclicking wrote:
Ross, not only did you fulfilled your dream but you hit it out of the ball park! Just outstanding work as usual. Thanks for sharing a wintery set of Zion.
I really appreciate your encouraging words as always, @keepclicking! It was a ridiculous joy to be here for the snow event, and an additional joy to share the inspiration with like-minded photographers who also love beauty
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
Fabulous, every one of them. (In fact, I wish you hadn't posted all in one go.) The fresh snow makes all the difference.
Thanks so much Rajan! I agree with you and have heeded your advice, I cut the post down to 8 images, and have more to add to those other 3 so I can do a part II. Thanks again for expressing that.
Beautiful. I don't have that kind of photo skills but was in a similar situation with the Grand Canyon. I've wanted to see it in winter snow conditions. So I have been checking the forecasts, etc., and took the opportunity to get to the South Rim, getting to Williams Monday, then a couple of days at the South Rim. The storm came in, lots of changing conditions, and a fair amount of snow. So I had a good time and got some tourist quality pictures I like but these really are tremendous.
Stunning - not certain it can be done better. Thanks for posting these terrific photographs. I especially love the cottonwood shot with the blue sky. Just wow!!
Beautiful shots! Never been to Zion but on the list. My son in law and I drove past the entrance but we had a list of other things to see and go to. And we were under orders from my better half not to go without her!
I love your excitement and enthusiasm, Ross! And I love all of your images, too! I agree with you that Zion is a special place. My favorite is Temple of Sinawava, but all are exceptional images! Congratulations!!!