Reflections on the Snowy Range
Snowy Range, Medicine Bow Mountains, Southcentral Wyoming
One of my favorite places in all the world. This sub-range isn't particularly high, but they're fairly unique in that they are largely made of quartzite, making them the whitest mountains I've ever seen. A string of small lakes at their base is the icing on the cake.
I waited for this shot for about three hours. The lake is shallow, and when the sun shines directly on it, the reflection is ruined by the lake's brown bottom which is at least as bright as the reflection. So, I had to wait until the lake was in shadow and the peaks in the sunlight (or at least, in this case, largely in the sunlight). Alas, there was a gentle breeze that kept this from being mirrorlike. If I'd waited for it to become absolutely still as well, I'd probably be there still. I wish the clouds had been a bit more interesting at this moment, but I'm thankful for having any at all! I also wish I'd taken this in RAW instead of jpg as I lost the highlights in those clouds. I THOUGHT I was shooting in RAW and have no idea how it got switched to jpg. Oh well.
As I'd commented before for photos of this place I'd uploaded years ago, I first witnessed this scene when about 10 years old with my family. For my Dad and I especially, this place always loomed large in our imaginations. He always referred to it as the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. While that distinction is reserved for the Grand Canyon in my case, it ain't far behind.
When I saw it for the second time some six or seven years ago, as I approached, I was fearful that the reality of the place couldn't match my memories of it--but I needn't have worried. It was just as beautiful as I remembered. I was so thrilled at seeing them again, I grabbed a poor bystander and gushed about how happy I was. I had intended to bury some of my Dad's ashes here, but some sadistic bastard stole them before I had the chance (along with so much else).
I spent two days here (spending the night in nearby Laramie) but could have spent much more. I will no doubt return one day, assuming I my health holds up as I expect it to.
I should note another thing this area has in its favor: No one knows about it. Of course, when I say "no one," I'm exaggerating. While there has always been people about during my three visits, there has never been crowds. I spent much of my time here nude, in fact, and was never observed by anyone. You have to pick your spots in order to enjoy naturism, but there are many, many spots to choose from.
Reflections on the Snowy Range
Snowy Range, Medicine Bow Mountains, Southcentral Wyoming
One of my favorite places in all the world. This sub-range isn't particularly high, but they're fairly unique in that they are largely made of quartzite, making them the whitest mountains I've ever seen. A string of small lakes at their base is the icing on the cake.
I waited for this shot for about three hours. The lake is shallow, and when the sun shines directly on it, the reflection is ruined by the lake's brown bottom which is at least as bright as the reflection. So, I had to wait until the lake was in shadow and the peaks in the sunlight (or at least, in this case, largely in the sunlight). Alas, there was a gentle breeze that kept this from being mirrorlike. If I'd waited for it to become absolutely still as well, I'd probably be there still. I wish the clouds had been a bit more interesting at this moment, but I'm thankful for having any at all! I also wish I'd taken this in RAW instead of jpg as I lost the highlights in those clouds. I THOUGHT I was shooting in RAW and have no idea how it got switched to jpg. Oh well.
As I'd commented before for photos of this place I'd uploaded years ago, I first witnessed this scene when about 10 years old with my family. For my Dad and I especially, this place always loomed large in our imaginations. He always referred to it as the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. While that distinction is reserved for the Grand Canyon in my case, it ain't far behind.
When I saw it for the second time some six or seven years ago, as I approached, I was fearful that the reality of the place couldn't match my memories of it--but I needn't have worried. It was just as beautiful as I remembered. I was so thrilled at seeing them again, I grabbed a poor bystander and gushed about how happy I was. I had intended to bury some of my Dad's ashes here, but some sadistic bastard stole them before I had the chance (along with so much else).
I spent two days here (spending the night in nearby Laramie) but could have spent much more. I will no doubt return one day, assuming I my health holds up as I expect it to.
I should note another thing this area has in its favor: No one knows about it. Of course, when I say "no one," I'm exaggerating. While there has always been people about during my three visits, there has never been crowds. I spent much of my time here nude, in fact, and was never observed by anyone. You have to pick your spots in order to enjoy naturism, but there are many, many spots to choose from.