With the first day of autumn just a few days ago, I have been reminiscing about the fall mornings I remember from growing up in northern New Mexico. I remember chilly mornings that gave way to pleasantly warm days, snow-dusted mountain peaks, and as Jackson reminded me with my September photo of the month, the smell of roasting green chiles.
Autumn arrives in the high country much earlier than October–those cold mornings and changing colors can arrive as early as August, when lower elevations are still sweltering in summer heat. This summer, on a visit to the canyon country of southern Utah, we were able to escape for a night to 11,000′ on the Aquarius Plateau. Made up in part by Boulder Mountain, just outside of Torrey, Utah and Capitol Reef National Park, the Plateau is nothing like the ecosystems that surround it. It is the highest elevation plateau in North America, and has hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny lakes. On the August morning I visited, it was about 35°F–a virtual paradise compared to the desert located less than 10 miles away, as the crow flies.
August Sunrise, August 2011
Here in southern California, summer is hanging on tenaciously, and the ability to “fast forward” to fall would be much appreciated, just like I was able to do this summer on the Aquarius Plateau.
Nice — Looks like a great place to great the day… Must look awesome big…
Yeah, its never a bad place to start the day when you know there aren’t many people for quite a long way! Thanks, Alister.
What a great looking place and a beautiful capturing of the sunrise, Greg. The glorious color, the wispy lake fog and the nice silhouetted reeds make a delightful image. Wonderful depth too.
Wonderful pic – love the composition and the candy colors.
Gorgeous shot, Greg. The great tones, wispy mist and wonderful leading lines of the reflection are so well done. This is a stunning shot.
Sharon
Thanks, Steve, Derrick and Sharon! I appreciate it!
Awww man — what a place to wake up in the morning. Reminds me of some of those Boundary Waters mornings that have been on my mind lately. Beautiful photo Greg.
Thanks, PJ. You aren’t really far off in your Boundary Waters analogy; Guy Tal told me that this small mountain top has something like 800 lakes, so its quite wet, and was pretty much a mosquitos paradise…
Wonderful image Greg. You’re right – fall has been slow to come to the southland, but it looks likes that’s about to change with a winter storm slated for later this week.
Looks like the perfect time and place to kick back in a comfy chair.
That is absolutely stunning Greg – the mist coming off the water is incredible and adds some nice emotion to the shot.
Thanks Russ, Alan and Brian–I appreciate your comments!
Greg, the leading lines in this image are great, what a super reflection. I’ll have to learn where the Aquarius plateau is!
Thanks, Phil! Yeah, for once in my life, I was blessed with great light.
Those lakes offer never-ending possibilities!
Really gorgeous shot! Wonderful colors and reflections, and I really like the sinusoidal pattern to the line of trees!
Thanks Pat–I hadn’t looked at the pattern in the tree line quite that way, but since pointing it out, I have to say you’re right, and the effect is kinda nice!
🙂
OK, now you’re doing sunsets that even people who hate sunsets have to love. A beautiful place to plan a sunrise photo. As someone said above, I like the depth of this photograph.
…plan a sunset, that is.
Thanks, David…I really appreciate your comment, especially knowing how you feel about sunrises/sets 🙂
What a wonderful moment, and beautifully captured. There are so many small details that makes this picture stand out. And yes, sunsets can be somewhat cliché, but this photographs makes something very special out if the moment. Thanks for a lovely picture
Hi, Otto, and thanks for your comment! I really appreciate your thoughtful response and assessment of the image!