Three viewpoints on Mystic falls

Last week I visited hidden Mystic falls which is close to Telluride, Colorado. It is an amazing box canyon waterfall that you have to scramble a bit for to reach. There are many pages on the web that detail how to reach it. The best is probably found here. I rode to the trailhead in my little Subaru without any issue but I might be a lot less careful than most so hiking the last part is not a big deal if you need to especially since the descent to the falls is really quite short. I have three favorite images to share that were taken at different angles and focal lengths.

The Mystic river.
Nikon D600, Nikon 14-24 mm at 14mm, f/11, three shot HDR at 1/50, 1/30, and 1/15s.

Mystic streams.
Nikon D600, Nikon 14-24 mm at 24mm, f/16, three shot HDR at 1/13, 1/6, and 1/3s.

Levels.
Nikon D600, Nikon 24-85 mm at 50mm, f/16, 1/6s.

My favorite is the tighter composition at the end but it does omit some of the context. I am guessing this place is going to be awesome in fall! Lastly as a bonus, here is a 360 degrees panorama of the place. Follow the "view on google maps link to see it in full screen glory and don't forget to look all around!

Evening light panoramas on Mt. Galbraith

I went on a short evening hike with my daughter and thought I would generate a few more immersive panoramas. This time (contrary to the last time I was there! see here and here) it was clear and even warm. This panorama was taken on the lookout point over Golden and Denver. This is right next to my favorite bonsaï-like tree there that you can see here. Make sure to click on the "view on Google maps" link to see it large and to use your mouse (or finger on a mobile device) to look all around.

I also took a panorama at the top in the same spot as I did last time. I was not aware that there was so much of a view up there as it was completely fogged in then. Not so much this time.

The next image is for comparison with an image I posted last post.

Hope you enjoyed these!

Frosty fairytale

In the previous post I showed a panorama of the top of Mt. Galbraith near Golden. This is a wonderful small open space park right on the edge of town. This was a very interesting morning where the fog had frozen on every branch and tree limb and had formed amazing structures everywhere. I was completely alone this morning. A feeling strengthened even more by the quiet of the fog. I had forgotten my tripod, so all the images here are handheld, including the panorama from the previous post. Luckily I had not forgotten some traction devices for my shoes as the trail itself was covered with a thick coating of ice and it was the most slick I have ever seen any trail. One place I finished first was my favorite tree in this park that looks just like a bonsaï. The frost and the fog made everything quite monochromatic, so prepare yourself. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed making them!

Frosty Bonsaï.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 18mm, f/11, 1/100s, ISO 100



The pitcher.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 25mm, f/11, 1/100s, ISO 100



Mystery.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/11, 1/80s, ISO 100



Panorama at the top
Stitched from 20 handheld images. Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 16mm, f/16, 1/50s, ISO 100
This is a high resolution panorama for printing. You should check it much larger by clicking as this blog's format doesn't like wide images much.



Pinnacle.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 24mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 100



The orator.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 21mm, f/16, 1/50s, ISO 100



Follow the trail.
Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 16mm, f/16, 1/50s, ISO 100



Edge of the burn. Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 20mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 100



The trail continues.
Nikon D600, Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 at 55mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 100

A frosty morning in Mt. Galbraith open space park

Mount Galbraith is a nice open space park close to Golden. I go there often to photograph some of the very nice trees you can find here. This morning I went because we've had some freezing rain recently and I was excited about the prospect of hoar frost. It did not disappoint. The trees were gorgeous and I will share some images at a later time. In the mean time, I stitched a 360 panorama that I did from handheld images as I had forgotten my tripod. It worked out really well anyway. See and explore it below (click and drag to look around) and you can make it big by clicking on the view in google maps link.

The thick of winter

The thick of winter. Composite of six images. Nikon D600, Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 at 16mm, f/16, 1/40s, ISO 100

I've photographed this tree many times before. It can be found just above Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It can also be seen in the fully immersive pano I posted a few days ago here that was taken basically from the same position as the above image.

Windswept

Nikon 1 J4. 1 Nikon VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 at 10mm, f/10, 1/800s, ISO 160
The approach to Lake Hayiaha in Rocky Mountain National Park following Chaos Creek.

Winter in the rockies

A tree high above Emerald Lake in Tyndall Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Gold sunrise at Gunsight Butte

Gunsight Gold. Seen from Alstrom Point.
Stitched from 7 images, Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200 mm f/4.0 at 70 mm, f/4.0, 1/160s, ISO 100.

One of my many panoramic images that you can see here.

Snowy evening at Beaver Brook trail

Beaver Brook trail is a nice little trail that leaves from Windy Saddle on the road up Lookout Mountain near Golden. I strolled a bit here with my camera last night and shot this fully immersive panorama that you can look all around in and really see what it is like to be here at sunset. Enjoy! See it really large by following the link to Google Maps.
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