Friday, September 30, 2011

Making chicken salad out of chicken sh*t.

Last month, I once again journeyed to Great Sand Dunes National Park to photograph the amazing dunes. Being that the dunes roll on for almost 40 square miles, there were plenty of spots (read: almost all of them) that I hadn't been to. So, this time, I set out for the northeast corner, an area with not a single footprint to be found.

Once I finished the strenuous hike to the top, I began scouting for good compositions to use in the upcoming sunset. To my dismay, try as I might, I just couldn't find anything I liked. It was frustrating, because normally the dunes offer me something that more than tickles my fancy (like this, for example). This time, though... nothing. Welcome to the life of a landscape photographer: sometimes, that's just the way it goes. To make matters worse, the clouds were not cooperating at all and were completely absent from behind the Sangre de Cristo mountains where I wanted to make my image.

But, all was not lost! With a little help from Mother Nature, I was about to make lemonade outta lemons. (Thanks, Mom!)

As the sun started to set, I noticed in the distance that a bunch of people were hanging out at the top of High Dune, which is where 90% of those who actually make it to the top of the dunes go. Even better, a bank of clouds was billowing directly above them, and it was starting to coming alive with brilliant sunset hues. Turns out the dunes had something to offer after all.

Please be sure to view the large version, as it makes it easier to see the people atop High Dune. (Although admittedly they're still just dots -- a large print is really the best way to view this image. I posted a close up of the people below the image so that you can see the detail.)

That's all for now. Until next time, take care. And be nice to your mom! ^_^

High Atop The Dune Summit