Burning on Boreas

[JimFox]

One of my first fall color shots from Colorado this year is from Boreas Pass. This is one that I only got by being aware, so I am fortunate it worked out. I had already driving over the actual pass, which at the time was covered in clouds with a light snow storm going on. I was stopping and shooting as I worked my way along the pass, and was heading down towards Breckenridge. As I was starting to get out of the aspens on the way down, it dawned on me that the clouds to the west had totally disappeared and the only clouds left were overhead and to the east. So I knew immediately this was a recipe for a great sunset, only issue now was the sunset was due in about 15 minutes, and could I get back up to the area of the pass which had some nice open views. I didn't quite make it to the actual pass, but I got to a nice open area that was close, and the colors were starting to pop in the clouds, so it was here I stopped.

The shape of the one cloud, was almost like a twister over the peak of what I think is Boreas Mountain. It was like a cyclone reaching up into the sky, and the whole vertical cloud turned to where it looked like it was on fire. It was a grand scene indeed. Add to that, I had other clouds going off with color directly behind me and it was making for a crazy time in trying to capture it all.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

 

[Ben Egbert]

Hi Jim, you make a great point that being aware is very important to getting fine images like this one. Knowing the way the weather will break, and where it shows best and how to get good foreground interest is all part of it.

I love that great cloud, and the fall grass is one element that is often overlooked, but very pleasing.

 

[BarryHamilton]

Excellent work, Jim! Way to be ready! Cool that you also caught the crescent moon, tiny in the upper left?

 

[JimFox]

Excellent work, Jim! Way to be ready! Cool that you also caught the crescent moon, tiny in the upper left?

Thanks Barry! Yeah, you caught the moon! It's not large there shooting so wide, but I thought it was cool. Those interesting clouds morphed later in twilight, so I do have some cool shots from a different location where I have the clouds and the moon a bit larger with some twilight light and colors. It was cool, the clouds maintained some color well into twilight, maybe it was reflecting color/light from Breckenridge which would be about 15 or 20 miles away.

Jim

 

[JimFox]

Hi Jim, you make a great point that being aware is very important to getting fine images like this one. Knowing the way the weather will break, and where it shows best and how to get good foreground interest is all part of it.

I love that great cloud, and the fall grass is one element that is often overlooked, but very pleasing.

Thanks Ben! Yeah in my head I wanted to push on another mile or so to where I remember there being some aspen, but you know, when the color hits, you just have to stop. So while I normally really might have passed by on this scene, its another case where I am glad the situation dictated that I stop, because I do like that meadow being in fall color along with that bush.

Jim

 

[AlanLichty]

You picked a nice place to stop and shoot - the nice little draw in the foreground leads right up into the scene and the reflected light on the meadow reinforces the color show. Nice call on being aware for your photo opportunity..

 

[Jeffrey]

Wow, the clouds and ground cover are like one family! Nice work, Jim.

 

[Kyle Jones]

Nice use of an awesome cloud!

 

[Bob Denton]

That cloud is so amazing! A one of a kind photo.

 

[Alisa]

I really like this one! That cloud is awesome with the different tones and texture.

 

[JimFox]

Wow, the clouds and ground cover are like one family! Nice work, Jim.

Nice use of an awesome cloud!

That cloud is so amazing! A one of a kind photo.

I really like this one! That cloud is awesome with the different tones and texture.

Thanks you guys. It really was one very amazing cloud!

 

[Bart Carrig]

Great observation and capture, Jim. Looks like you set the place on fire. Love the match between the grass and sky. It's a beautiful scene.

Bart