Landscapes
Clear Lake
Clear Lake occupies a naturally formed bowl at 12,000 ft. above sea level in the mountains seven or eight miles southwest of Silverton, Colorado. The road climbing to the lake is rocky with tight switchbacks. 4 wheel drive is strongly suggested on the road sign at the turnoff from the main road. After the climb up the mountainside, you cross over the last rise to a view of the lake that is simply stunning. The lake is just above the timberline in this part of the state, revealing the granite, tundra-like terrain around the lake. The water is extremely clear with a turquoise color cast.
Rainbow Blvd
Rainbow Blvd is a lonely dirt road in central New Mexico named as a “boulevard.” This image is perhaps the definition of wide open spaces. It is also a prime example of the high plains across a large part of New Mexico, as a contrast to the mountain peaks in western and northern parts of the state. For example, Wheeler Peak in the northern part of the state is over 13,000 feet above sea level, while the elevation of the Rainbow Blvd area is about 5,200 feet.
Sandia Moon
Sandia is Spanish for watermelon. The Sandia mountains in Albuquerque, NM at sunset often resemble a slice of watermelon, which is where the name originated with early Spanish conquistadors. This 7-section stitched panorama includes the autumn harvest moon as it is just rising. The 360 degree view from the crest of the mountain is spectacular.
Warbonnets
In southeastern Wyoming about 30 miles west of Laramie is a cold, windy mountain range appropriately named Snowy Range. At the summit of Snowy Range Pass, at over 10,000 feet above sea level, the wind is so strong and persistent that the upper evergreen branches grow on the downwind side of the trees, resembling a Native American warbonnet headdress. The trees grow in scattered clumps with undergrowth shrubbery around the base of the trees. This photograph was made in late July 2016. The timberline in this area is about the same elevation as the highway pass at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Snow on the ground often remains throughout the summer months