1. Places
  2. Travel

2016 Western Colorado

Mostly Western Colorado, but there's a few photos made along the way out there.
Read More
  • On the drive to Colorado, I stopped around midnight to photograph this wind turbine electricity generating array just south of Sweetwater, TX. The Milky Way was making an appearance, as well as a supercell thunderstorm ahead, just outside of Lubbock. Every red light you see in these night images marks the top of a wind turbine.

    On the drive to Colorado, I stopped around midnight to photograph this wind turbine electricity generating array just south of Sweetwater, TX. The Milky Way was making an appearance, as well as a supercell thunderstorm ahead, just outside of Lubbock. Every red light you see in these night images marks the top of a wind turbine.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0004

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The same scene with the lights of a passing vehicle streaked across the frame.

    The same scene with the lights of a passing vehicle streaked across the frame.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0005

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Freaky image, I know. Let me expain: I wear a headlamp after dark. When trying to protect my night vision, I use the red lamp. My camera is on a tripod in the roadway. I have two relatively normal, functional human hands I use to set all the various functions on my camera. What I didn't realize: I actuated the shutter release while punching most of the buttons on the camera while trying to switch settings from daytime shooting to long-exposure night mode stuff. Result: freaky image of me setting up a shot!

    Freaky image, I know. Let me expain: I wear a headlamp after dark. When trying to protect my night vision, I use the red lamp. My camera is on a tripod in the roadway. I have two relatively normal, functional human hands I use to set all the various functions on my camera. What I didn't realize: I actuated the shutter release while punching most of the buttons on the camera while trying to switch settings from daytime shooting to long-exposure night mode stuff. Result: freaky image of me setting up a shot!

    201609 Colorado Trip-0012

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Once I got the settings made, an 18-wheeler came at me on the highway. I decided to experiment to see what it would look like. Yes I'm in my lane, but in a VERY slow moving tripod. I just stood there behind the camera and waved to the driver.

    Once I got the settings made, an 18-wheeler came at me on the highway. I decided to experiment to see what it would look like. Yes I'm in my lane, but in a VERY slow moving tripod. I just stood there behind the camera and waved to the driver.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0014

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Final image. TX Route 153 between Happy Valley and Sweetwater (I love the old school homeyness of Texas place names). All the red marker lights on top of the hundreds, maybe thousands of wind turbines all turn on...and off...together...on a...two second...interval. It's disconcerting because there are no other lights visible from this spot except car headlights, and cars at this time of night are minutes apart.

    Final image. TX Route 153 between Happy Valley and Sweetwater (I love the old school homeyness of Texas place names). All the red marker lights on top of the hundreds, maybe thousands of wind turbines all turn on...and off...together...on a...two second...interval. It's disconcerting because there are no other lights visible from this spot except car headlights, and cars at this time of night are minutes apart.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0017

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • I just noticed the interesting geomorphology.

    I just noticed the interesting geomorphology.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0027

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0076

    201609 Colorado Trip-0076

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The view of The Colorado Monument from my sister's back patio. There's two more frames to go to fit it all in.

    The view of The Colorado Monument from my sister's back patio. There's two more frames to go to fit it all in.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0082

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0083

    201609 Colorado Trip-0083

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0105

    201609 Colorado Trip-0105

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0109

    201609 Colorado Trip-0109

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0118

    201609 Colorado Trip-0118

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The town of Fruita, Colorado, my sister's new hometown, as viewed across the Colorado River from The Colorado Monument.

    The town of Fruita, Colorado, my sister's new hometown, as viewed across the Colorado River from The Colorado Monument.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0142

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The view of Grand Junction, Clifton, and Palisade, CO from Rim Rock Drive in The Colorado Monument. Beyond, and illuminated by the city lights is the Bookcliffs Mountain Range on the left and the Grand Mesa to the right.

    The view of Grand Junction, Clifton, and Palisade, CO from Rim Rock Drive in The Colorado Monument. Beyond, and illuminated by the city lights is the Bookcliffs Mountain Range on the left and the Grand Mesa to the right.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0169

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Sunset from my sister's patio.

    Sunset from my sister's patio.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0176

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The same sunset a few minutes later on.

    The same sunset a few minutes later on.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0206

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Canadian geese leaving their nighttime roost along the Colorado River in the morning.

    Canadian geese leaving their nighttime roost along the Colorado River in the morning.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0217

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0218

    201609 Colorado Trip-0218

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • This scene became my barometer, so to speak, of light conditions up in The Monument. If I found the quality of light on the complicated geometry of the rocks sufficiently different from what I had photographed previously, I grabbed the tripod and camera bag and drove up there to photograph. Hang in there, I'm going to show you The Monument.

    This scene became my barometer, so to speak, of light conditions up in The Monument. If I found the quality of light on the complicated geometry of the rocks sufficiently different from what I had photographed previously, I grabbed the tripod and camera bag and drove up there to photograph. Hang in there, I'm going to show you The Monument.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0223

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Stormy nights from the patio.

    Stormy nights from the patio.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0230

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0236

    201609 Colorado Trip-0236

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0241

    201609 Colorado Trip-0241

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0248

    201609 Colorado Trip-0248

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Hopefully you'll notice some of the changes to the backyard since I arrived.

    Hopefully you'll notice some of the changes to the backyard since I arrived.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0251

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • The Colorado Monument in unspectacular sunset light conditions. It still looks pretty good.

    The Colorado Monument in unspectacular sunset light conditions. It still looks pretty good.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0259

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0273

    201609 Colorado Trip-0273

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Another mid-afternoon trip through The Monument on an overcast rainy day in the desert.

    Another mid-afternoon trip through The Monument on an overcast rainy day in the desert.

    201609 Colorado Trip-0285

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0290

    201609 Colorado Trip-0290

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0292

    201609 Colorado Trip-0292

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0294

    201609 Colorado Trip-0294

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0295

    201609 Colorado Trip-0295

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0296

    201609 Colorado Trip-0296

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0297

    201609 Colorado Trip-0297

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0310

    201609 Colorado Trip-0310

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0311

    201609 Colorado Trip-0311

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0314

    201609 Colorado Trip-0314

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0350

    201609 Colorado Trip-0350

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0354

    201609 Colorado Trip-0354

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0362

    201609 Colorado Trip-0362

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0367

    201609 Colorado Trip-0367

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0374

    201609 Colorado Trip-0374

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0383

    201609 Colorado Trip-0383

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0386

    201609 Colorado Trip-0386

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0390

    201609 Colorado Trip-0390

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0435

    201609 Colorado Trip-0435

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0442

    201609 Colorado Trip-0442

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0446

    201609 Colorado Trip-0446

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • 201609 Colorado Trip-0450

    201609 Colorado Trip-0450

    ColoradoColorado National MonumentFruitaOctoberSeptember

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.