The Flatirons
The Flatirons
The Flatirons are the remains of an ancient landscape. Remnants of the Ancestral Rockies, the Flatirons were once submerged under the seas that covered Colorado, they were pushed above ground when the current Rocky Mountains rose 70 million years ago.
Watching storms roll over the Rocky Mountains may be one of the most powerful connections I have found with nature here in Colorado. I hiked out the Flatirons Vista trail to catch the alpenglow light up the foothills near Boulder one summer morning. The sunrise didn’t work out all that well, but about an hour afterwards the storm started rolling in, and the sun was peaking through some low clouds to the east. I wish there was a way to capture smell in a photograph. You could smell the storm and the fresh wildfires. I got a little wet that morning on my hike back, but I enjoyed that too.
Fighting The Dark
Ancient Friends
The Milky Way is hardly visible with the naked eye in Boulder. But the camera knows it is there. I captured this image on a uncharacteristically warm September evening. A gentle breeze was flowing down from the mountains, and the crickets were singing their summer song.
Winter’s Rage
I love a good snow storm. I also really enjoy taking pictures as a snowstorm departs. I captured this near the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) towards the end of a storm that left about 4” of the powdery white stuff. The sun was trying to break through the clouds, and the contrast of the bright light hitting the landscape against the dark black clouds caught my eye.
Pink Blanket
A cold winter morning after a snowfall as Mother Nature paints the landscape in pink. A wall of clouds catches the color, and blocks the front range mountains behind, as snow continues to fall below. NCAR in the lower left provides some scale for just how big the Flatirons and foothills are.
Standing Tall
Using a telephoto lens in Landscape photography can provide some unique perspectives. Up close the Flatirons seem to tower forever towards the sky. But when you add some distance, you also add some perspective as the front range Mountains come into view. Here you can see Longs Peak, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, at over 14,000 feet tall. During a brilliant summer sunset, this view taken from a few miles Southeast of Boulder, gives a unique perspective of the Flatirons.
The morning after snow storm is a photographers dream here in Colorado. The alpenglow and snow turn everything the softest pink hues for just a few moments as the sun rises. In this picture, a fresh coat of snow covers Long’s Peak in the background, and the Flatirons in the front.
Pink Mountain Majesty
Majesty Squared
Zooming in on the Flatirons after dark, with the Milky Way shining behind makes you feel fairly small. The scope and scale of these wonders of nature, positioned so close together is hard to fathom. It’s somewhat comforting knowing that they have been paired together for millions of years, and will hopefully be for millions more to come.
Colorful Colorado
The sunsets in Colorado are really spectacular. You can experience some breathtaking moments by hiking deep into the colorado mountains. But you can also get them if you just pull over. I took this shot on an evening where I thought the sunset might be special, but didn’t have time to hike anywhere special to get a photo. So, I went to a spot I know with a little pull-off the road, and just soaked in this incredible moment.
Winter’s Grasp
Even on a cold afternoon, under a bright sun, winter remained in control. I hiked out the Flatirons Vista trail (good name, huh?) in about 8-10” of the fresh powder to see the mountains close up. The sun was bright and strong, it was only about 25 degrees, but it was hot as I hiked out. It was a long hike, but it was worth the reward.
Spring Delight
Watching the morning sun cast a light on the Flatirons is such a serene experience. There are a lot of great places to do this. one of my favorite spots also gives a great view of the alpenglow hitting Longs and Meeker. This was taken at the end of a cold and rainy month of May. It was the first warm spring morning of the year, with temperatures in the low 70s. The birds were singing and no one was around except me and my dog. The perfect way to welcome another Colorado summer.