Crystal Lake 2 Photo

Photographer’s Note

San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Scene

Crystal Lake – a remnant of the mining activities that dominated this valley from the late 1880’s to the 1930’s. I never tire of this scene and I try to record an image every time I am in the area. As noted in yesterday’s image the fall color is a bit late and you can see that the trees are about 30% along in the change from summer to fall.

In the background is Red Mountain #1 and #2 and at the foot of these two mountains is the Yankee Girl gold mine, once of the richest mines in the country. (I will post an image of the old head frame in days to come.) This area of the San Juan Mountains is called the “Million Dollar Highway,” a testament to its construction cost in the 1930’s. The highway is an all weather road connecting Durango to Silverton and Silverton to Ouray. From Durango in the south you traverse three 10,000+ foot mountain passes before descending into Ouray, Colorado. Snow fall in the Silverton area averages 300+ inches/year and this highway rarely closed for more than 24 hours. At a snow shed on the downhill side near Ouray is a monument to the Colorado Department of Transportation snow plow drivers who have lost their lives to keep the road open.

Background

When I captured this image my wife and I were on our way to meet fellow Trekkers Kath and Rob Featherstone in Silverton, Colorado. The morning was cold and blustery and rain was in the forecast. We were lucky that the wind had not risen in this valley so that I could capture the reflection of Red Mountain #1 and #2. I have posted a similar image, Crystal Lake, captured in the late summer and Symmetry captured at the height of the fall color. This one I like because of the stormy clouds that dominate the sky and the touch of fall color.

leo61, Photo65Net, feather, MLINES, Floydian, IgorDeleze, derek3755, plimrn, jhm, gunbud trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Pentti (436) 2008-10-26 9:24

Hi John,

a nice scenery, but I think you have too much candy-color appearance.

Achleitner (823) 2008-10-26 9:38

Hi John,

A really nice place. Crystal lake is a good name for the lake. Really nice reflections

baba_flies (8071) 2008-10-26 9:48

Hello John! Well I hope you had a fantastic time with Kath and Rob, we met Stan Obert and his lovely wife in early summer and I still love to think back of our baseball game we went to and the breakfast we had in their neighborhood, strong memories for me. Meeting people is the true treat and that we can share things that go beyond "picture taking". Great people!!!!!!! I have been to this area the summer before and I just try to remember this lake but somehow the long driving deletes certain things in my memory but I truly loved the area. I like the strong green on the side with the tiny "touch" of sunlite and of course the reflections are wonderful. Beautiful Colorado ... makes me want to return right away :)))))) All my best ... Barbara.

leo61 (43610) 2008-10-26 9:55

Hi John!
Great shot of this fantastic place and a perfect mirror.The green tones in the sunshine look great and the image has a good depth.
Regards,Leo

Photo65Net (43096) 2008-10-26 10:06

Hello John,
Amazing reflections !
I like a lot the beauty of this one, very pleasant for the eyes.
Have a nice day,
JB.

feather (50040) 2008-10-26 10:37

No posts for ages and then two in one day!!
Now I do remember this place and how disappointed we were the wind was blowing the reflections by the time we arrived there. You must have got there early. The light is wonderful and it is lighting up the turning aspens beautifully. It's a perfect mirror image. Well done.
Kath

estan (1279) 2008-10-26 11:15

Hi John,

Very nice shot. The reflection is perfect and the sharpness is really good too. The colours are so bright (except for the green, too green for me ). Well done post
See you
Pascal

cdmonson (2757) 2008-10-26 19:29

Hi John:

Oh my. This is gorgeous. You've got a gift for capturing the beautiful mountains of Colorado. I love that little bit of light on the mountain, and that near-perfect reflection. In fact, given the great reflection, I don't mind the central placement of the horizon. If I were to get really nit-picky, I would say there's just a hair too much blue cast in the clouds--but I'm not going to get nit-picky because this is otherwise such an incredible shot. :) Well done.

Clark

MLINES (10934) 2008-10-26 19:41

Hi John, Superb colours and perfect reflection. A fine place to contemplate nature. The patches of blue sky prevent the OE which can happen on cloudy days. Interesting notes. TFS. Murray.

pablominto (41148) 2008-10-27 0:40

Hello John,

An amazing play of light, it is like the hillside is hit by a spotlight!
The lake acts as the perfect mirror this day, and the sky with some heavy clouds is the topping...
A well balanced composition with fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-27 2:10

Hi John,
Brings me back to the days of Velvia with that deep bright green on the right.
The first comment doesn't make sense at all, some people have no idea how some landscapes look like in colour and presentation...
You found a beautiful composition here in a v line shape what works very good in reflection, depth and very pleasant to look at...great shot..!!!
Regards, Henk

IgorDeleze (9247) 2008-10-27 2:53

Hello John,
Very nice reflexion and nice light.
Greetings.
Igor

derek3755 (2341) 2008-10-27 3:49

Hi John

Beautiful Image, love the light and colours, nice that you had the mirror image reflection too - looks like i will have to visit Colorado sometime when we get over next.

Regards
Derek

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-27 9:06

Beautiful and poetic one.
U were lucky to have such a great sun on the mountains!
Great work John.

Agnieszka

plimrn (19688) 2008-10-27 9:59

Hi John,
Pure magic!! You have framed these interlocking triagles and their reflection perfectly!! That bit of light on the green hillside & reflection turns the pair into an arrow lit with green flame. To my Favs
HLJ, Pat

jhm (83161) 2008-10-28 0:34

Hello John,

Splendid mirrow picture the reflection is perfect and the sharpness is really good too.
Through the quiet weather without wind get we a fantastic picture.
Great composition and presentation are superb. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

quesada7 (213) 2008-10-28 12:05

Nice picture, good contrast, I like the shades projection over the mountain, very nice.
Thanks for sahring.
Luis

jmcl (14073) 2008-11-11 13:45

Hi John,

wonderful .. beautiful light .. a captured moment of stillness .. massive scale .. wonderful .. nature's power and peace in one frame. take care, John

coco (28040) 2009-02-19 0:23

Hi John.

Perfect composition where the reflections and the symetry look spectacular.

Regards.

gunbud (28107) 2009-03-03 14:58

Hi John,
Was in this area about 30 years ago and my jaw was dropped the whole time.
Wonderfully tranquil shot with a lovely warm late day light that brings beautiful varying shades of green and yellow reflecting in the small mountain lake.
Regards, Tom

gramma (3519) 2009-09-09 5:26

Hi John,

Very nice contrast for this one. This very shinning green remember me a trip on Iceland. Beautiful landscape. Cordially,

Christophe