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2011 Colorado Rockies

On the way home from the 2011 Rocky Mountain WineFest in Palisade, Colorado, I took a few photos on both sides of Red Mountain Pass between Ouray and Silverton. It was two days before the Autumnal Equinox, and the aspens had just begun to show their fall colors.
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I'm not sure what triggers the color change, but it seems a little strange to me that the trees in the middle of this stand of aspens that covers the entire side of this mountain would be the first to turn. I have learned that all the aspens on this mountainside are genetically identical, therefore each tree is just one element of the individual that is this grove.
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I'm not sure what triggers the color change, but it seems a little strange to me that the trees in the middle of this stand of aspens that covers the entire side of this mountain would be the first to turn. I have learned that all the aspens on this mountainside are genetically identical, therefore each tree is just one element of the individual that is this grove.

ColoradoPalisadeWineFest 2011 TripWinefest2011RockyMountain0091

  • I'm not sure what triggers the color change, but it seems a little strange to me that the trees in the middle of this stand of aspens that covers the entire side of this mountain would be the first to turn. I have learned that all the aspens on this mountainside are genetically identical, therefore each tree is just one element of the individual that is this grove.
  • Abandoned mining structures both old and older are all over these slopes.
  • Red Mountain Pass is named for obvious reasons. Yes, this image, taken at a suboptimal time of day, is more orange than red, but when viewed from other angles, and with the sun other than directly over head, it does appear much redder.
  • This sturdy cabin, adjacent to a mine entrance, begs for a black-n-white rendering so that you can appreciate its raw texture.
  • This sturdy cabin, adjacent to a mine entrance, begs for a colorful rendering so that you can appreciate its subtle variations.
  • Here you can see the same cabin in its setting next to the highway.
  • This structure hides the entrance to the mine behind the cabin. As in almost all mines, groundwater control is an issue. In this case, the water just seeps out the entrance of the mine. I wonder what minerals they mine here? Whatever it is, the algae in the water seems to really like it!
  • The algae in the water is prolific.
  • The algae in the seep is also varied.
  • After shooting the images you've seen, I decided to switch lenses to continue shooting. My camera bag barely fit in the trunk of my car because of the other luggage, and while trying to zip it closed while holding my camera, the shutter-release was accidentally depressed. The resulting accidental image is sharply focused, well exposed and interestingly composed. Now I'm thinking that after all these years of studying and applying the skills of advanced photography, I am sometimes nothing more than a biochemical tripod.
  • A simple and striking contrast between mine tailings, verdant forest, and fair sky.
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