Great Sand Dunes National Park, September 2009

Out of The Dark

So this is a heavy crop form one of the other pictures from this trip. I liked the way this looked reformatted to remove what was a relatively uninteresting horizon and sky. The black and white conversion added to the feel.

Parting Shot

A final view of the dune field in the morning sun, before we drove away.

Golden Light

The light was ever changing on the drive home on highway 285. I zeroed in on this grove with the telephoto.

Highest Point

This is the view from the highest I was able to hike up to. After I finally reached the crest, and saw another set of higher dunes in the distance, I collapsed and took this picture sitting on the crest of the dune :-D

Abstract Dunes

After exhausting myself climbing up, I saw this abstract on the way back down.

Morning Walk

I capture my tracks in the dunes.

Edge of the Dunes

A view looking into the dune field in the morning light.

Impending Storm

Weather seems to change quickly out here - this storm convinced us a longer hike out onto the dunes at this time of day was not advisable :) The dramatic clouds made for a nice capture.

Last Light

The sun pops out and catches the dunes for one last moment.

Up Against The Peaks

My telephoto shot exaggerates how close the dunes are to the mountains behind them. The touch of fall color on the side of the mountains was a hint of the fabulous colors we were going to get to see on the drive home!

September Color Show

The wonderful September sun brings out the wonderful color of the trees against a beautiful blue sky.

Aspen Grove

On the drive back on Highway 285, we came around a bend, and caught sight of a whole grove of golden trees.

Fall color

The aspens take on some spectacular colors in this close up shot of a hillside just outside of the deserted town of Como, Colorado.

Bright colors © Thin Air Photography, All Rights Reserved

We drove offroad a few miles and found many beautiful trees to shoot.