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High on the Continental Divide, separating waters which flow to the Atlantic Ocean (to the left) and the Pacific drainage (to the right), looking towards Navajo Peak (knob toward the left, 13409 ft / 4087 m), Apache Peak (13441 ft / 4097 m), and Mount George (12691 ft / 3868 m) from near the summit of Shoshoni Peak (12967 ft / 3952 m). This small plateau is a residual portion of a much larger uplift plateau that occurred starting in the Laramide mountain building period 70 million years ago. The uplifted plateau has been eroded by repeated glacial-interglacial cycles, which gouged deep valleys into this plateau- note the very steep drops on either side of the divide here. Remnants of the ancient high plateau occur on summit ridges in a few places of the Front Range of the southern Rocky Mountains.
In the distance are the Gore and Williams Fork Ranges.
Stitch of 6 vertical shots.
Thanks for your views, comments, musings, and favs
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in "Pea Soup" (Eutrophication), Pond Nearby, October Morning, Colorado.
Finding myself on a high point during a little expedition around the Denver Front Range, I find a nice place to do a small pano of the mountains.
White on the Top and Blue at the Bottom, Mount Blue Sky, Mount Evans Wilderness, Rocky Mountains Front Range, Colorado, February, 10:07 AM. Hand-held shot from home.
This mountain has remained fascinating to watch over the years, seasons, days, and nights. It is the Fourteener Mountain (14,000+ ft high mountain) I'm able to see most often. In all seasons, I've seen storm systems forming and passing over this summit, the Denver Basin, along the Front Range, and counties farther to the Northeast, Eastern Plains, or Southeast.
There are wave, lenticular ("bean"), cumulonimbus (thunderhead), roll (arcus, horizontal), tornadic, and blizzard clouds, and billows of smoke from forest fires that develop or strengthen as they uniquely interact with mountains, flow forth, and even double-back (upslope fashion).
Fog, low cloud systems, and smog can also completely obscure this massive mountain for a few days at a time. It doesn't take long for me to miss seeing it and the neighboring mountains.
Several meteorologists of this region are known to preface their forecasts with such statements as, "Well, the weather conditions could be.... or perhaps they might be...." Even with the best technology, making accurate forecasts can make the most experienced forecasters sheepish. It still can be "difficult to say" and tough "to be forthright." It's because of THOSE MOUNTAINS!
;)
Finally, the sunrises and sunsets, with varying shadows, colors, and filtered light patterns, are often worth anticipating and pausing to see what beauty or curiosities await. If I have a camera nearby, I may pick it up and try to capture the awesomeness. Other times, I've just slowed only to watch and be still, . . and be thankful.
After Sunset, January, Denver Basin, Colorado. The geese were flying back and forth - "bending/flipping in the middle" - then quickly reversing direction in the strong winds. Apparent chaos and difficulty remaining together!
I've been MIA lately on Flickr. Been soooooo busy! I did take some time out last week to go shoot the red barn after our snow storm the hit the Denver area. I've been up to this location several times at sunrise but always got skunked on the sky lighting up. Got lucky this morning. was treated to a beautiful pink sky!
Happy Sunday and hope everyone has a great week!
With a green GP50 on the point, the Buck local climbs the grade of Burkes Hill outside Louisville. Visible above the train is the front range and various peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
Colorado is a high altitude state encompassing most of the southern Rocky Mountains with an average elevation of 6,800 ft (2070 m). There are about 55 mountains which exceed 14,000 ft (4270 m). The air is usually pure and clear but severe drought conditions have resulted in many forest fires in Colorado and the western United States.