March 2022 – Denise Bush's Photo Blog

Wintry Mix

The following is a random mix of winter subjects shot in the last few months. If it seems like I post a lot of winter images, I can explain … our winters are long … very long! Second only to autumn, I think winter is a great time to shoot. Challenging as it may be, it offers opportunities for unique and beautiful nature images. As I write this we have the possibility of more snow in the forecast. But this time of year the sun is strong and it melts fast, leaving our mostly dirt roads a muddy mess and adding a new challenge to my photo outings. With our winter coming to a close, I wanted to document the following not included in other posts. I’ve posted more in March than usual … a sort of spring cleaning, readying myself for a new season. I hope you like this mix and other recent posts … if you missed them!

Cool hues contribute to the cold feeling of this wintry scene. — ‘Wintry Hues’ © Denise Bush

Last light strikes a mountain peak in this snowy winter scene. — ‘Last Light On Peak’ © Denise Bush

Detail of an icy winter cascade in the mountains. — ‘Cascade Detail’ © Denise Bush

Cold water flows along a mountain stream, freezing to rocks along the way. — ‘Winter Cascade’ © Denise Bush

A view from the Double RL (for Ralph Lauren) includes Loghill Mesa in the center and the northern end of Cimarron Ridge in the distance. — ‘Ranch, Mesa & Ridge’ © Denise Bush

A partially frozen Ridgway Reservoir creates a wintry view of McKenzie Butte in the distance. — ‘Winter At The Reservoir’ © Denise Bush

A pink alpenglow and pretty clouds are a wonderful sight to behold over the Cimarrons, of Colorado's San Juan Mountains. — ‘Sunset Over Wintry Mountains’ © Denise Bush

The moon appears on this scene near Telluride to create a unique winter scene. — ‘Twilight Moon Over Snowy Peaks’ © Denise Bush

A snowy slope near Telluride reflects beautiful pink alpenglow! — ‘Slopeside Alpenlow’ © Denise Bush

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Everything Is Black & White

I love winter imagery in black & white. Early in the season my dream was to create a bigger collection of monochrome photos, but after looking back have only a modest offering. There were several trials that when viewed objectively, looked best in color. Black & white can be tricky and only a small percentage of images work to my satisfaction. If I don’t see something special in an image, whatever it might be, I prefer to keep them to myself, or better yet, toss them! The images below range from the first dramatic scenes, to the more intimate, such as the slope-side tree surrounded by trails from descending snowballs. And last are some even more intimate nature studies, shot earlier in the season when there was only a dusting of snow. I hope you enjoy seeing everything here in black & white!

A mountain spire reaches to the heavens dressed in a new coat of snow. — ‘Winter Steeple’ © Denise Bush

Clouds clear after a snow storm, leaving the mountains a brilliant white. — ‘Clearing Over Coated Peaks’ © Denise Bush

Last light appears on a mountain peak above spruce, aspen and snow. — ‘Winter’s Last Light’ © Denise Bush

A tree on a steep slope is surrounded by trails from descending snowballs. — ‘Slope-side Slide’ © Denise Bush

A light snow coats some pine cones and sticks for an intimate nature study in black and white. — ‘Pine Cones & Sticks One’ © Denise Bush

Looking In Different Directions

Sunset and the golden hour are undoubtedly the most popular time to be out shooting … but not just because it’s a beautiful time of day! It’s just a wonderful experience to be there, and in the moment. It can feel absolutely magical when the elements come together, creating pure visual splendor. I like to go out in the late afternoon to scout for a good spot, and often one that is looking in a direction other than west. After all, there’s more to sunset than watching that big fiery ball sink below the horizon. I look for the last light hitting the tallest peaks while day’s end shadows creep upward from below. Changing seasons create new opportunities as the sun’s position alters its path over peaks and ridges, striking the landscape differently. Alpenglow is another wonderful sight, often offering beautiful gradient skies that cool as twilight approaches. And when I’m lucky a scene can display both, last light and alpenglow. Two of the scenes below are similar compositions shot just minutes apart. I included them both to show how the color of the light changes in a short time. I hope you enjoy seeing these late day captures, shot in different directions.