2015 In & Around Rocky Mountain National Park

I spent almost a week in and around Rocky Mountain National Park during the third week of September. For that week, the aspen colors varied from colorful yellows and oranges to simply green, generally depending on elevation. The elk were very easy to find, both in the lower meadows and valleys of Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, etc., as well as the higher elevations above timberline along Fall River Road. This a collection of what I consider some of the better shots, either from a scenic/artistic perspective, or from some interesting activity or pose made by an elk. Enjoy! Also, please "like" and/or comment if you feel the urge! Thanks - Daryl

Longs Peak Dawn
This image is from Upper Beaver Meadows, shot shortly after sunrise. Unfortunately, the aspen had not started to change colors at this location/elevation.
Longs Peak Framed
Another image from Upper Beaver Meadows.
Shades of Quiet
Upper Beaver Meadows location.
Longs Peak Undressed
The color photo of this was just plain bland. So, I decided to use that as creative licence to see if I could develop a more interesting image.
Light Over Rock Cut
This is at what is known as Rock Cut which is on Trail Ridge Road. I found the sunburst in relation to the rock formation interesting.
Longs Under the Clouds
This is a common view from off of Trail Ridge Road. The clouds make this shot somewhat unique I think.
On Alert (read below)
I spotted this bull elk one afternoon along the lower reaches of Trail Ridge Road. Naturally, I pulled over to take pictures, leading to the inevitable jam-up of traffic, everybody wanting to get a good view and photo. I was getting frustrated with this elk because he kept eating grass and wouldn't look up for a good "pose". Then...among the "herd" of cars a car alarm went off, "honk, honk, honk,...". That made quite a disruption to the peace, but was a perfect way to get a striking pose out of this otherwise stubborn elk!
Another Pose
Same elk, same location as previous shot. Car horn still going off.
Just Can't Quit...
Some old habits are hard to break.

The lighting was rather poor/harsh, but I like the emotive nature of the shot anyway.
The Heavenly Barrage
Beautiful lighting late one afternoon in the park.
Hey...hey you over there!
He needs a bath :-) .
Smelling the Bush
Maybe checking for scent from other bulls, or from cows? I don't know.
A Soft Bed Among the Thistles
This calf was comfortably bedded down while an adult bull elk (the main focus of my photo stop) and various cows milled about in a wooded area. Because of the woods, my photos of the adults weren't very impressive. However, this image made the whole stop worthwhile.
Sky Pond
Two of my brothers and I made the hike up to Sky Pond one morning, getting there a little before Noon. Because of the time of day, the lighting was pretty harsh - definitely not ideal. I stole several shots anyway.
Sky Pond II
This image was taken with a "super wide angle" fisheye lens in order to adequately capture the breadth of the scene.
Sky Pond's Crown
This is my favorite shot of Sky Pond because of the colored foliage and interesting jagged rock formation composed relative to the lake. Again, the harsh midday lighting wasn't all that conducive to impressive photography, but I made do with the light I had. Like the previous shot, this was taken using a fisheye superwide angle lens.
Misty Veil Over Loch Vale
This amazing scene occurred during our descent from Sky Pond. This lake is named Lock Vale. A very fine sun-lit mist was coming down creating this surreal scene.
Meadow of Peace
This image is from the bottom of Fall River Road before it reaches the Enodvalley picnic area. I had a nice visit with plenair artist Gene Youngmann ( http://www.youngmannwatercolors.com) while there. He had been fighting the mist and rain all morning. Thankfully my camera gear is weather resistant :-) .
Hidden Valley View
This image was taken near the entrance into Hidden Valley, looking away from the valley. I wish I knew the name of the mountain in the background, but I don't.
On Break
Bugle Break
Horseshoe Park Morning Mistique
While I was waiting for good light on Ypsilon Mountain (it never happened), I noticed this eerie scene that had developed in the east as the morning sun rose above a dark veil of low clouds.
Fall River Pass Texture
On a whim, my mother and I started driving up Fall River Road one morning. Not long after we'd started, a ranger informed us that they had closed the road's entrance behind us because of concern about snow and ice near the pass. What a pleasant drive! We could take our time and had the whole valley to ourselves! The snow was melted off the road by the time we got to the summit.
High Mountain Family
We came across this family of elk off of Fall River Road, just below Fall River Pass. I love that they had placed themselves on a ridge, providing an ideal view/perspective for photography.
High Mountain Family II
Another composition...
High Mountain Family III
High Mountain Family IV
It's Time to Move
King of the Mountain
King of the Mountain II
King of the Mountain III
Making Tracks
Helter-Shelter
Forest Canyon Panorama
This image is a composite of ten shots stitched together using imaging software.
Peaking Through
This is a shot of Longs Peak one afternoon from the Odessa Lake/Flattop Mountain trail above Bear Lake.
Rippling Waters View
View from the trail between Nymph Lake and Dream Lake.
Longs Peak Framed by Fall
A view found between Nymph and Dream Lakes.
Alpine Morning Autumn Peace
That is Nymph Lake in this photograph.