Landscape Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes NP · **3 Likes**

This park is quite remote but since we are back on the road again, figured we would take a swing by and see the highest sand dunes in America that covers over 30 sq. miles. A passing storm cloud was the perfect light that brought out the colors in this shot, other photos of the dunes were a stark white. Interesting place to visit if you have the time and a place to stay.

**Bob Harris** · 08-17-2014, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

That place is amazing. Anybody that finds themselves in southern Colorado should definitely make a point to check it out...

You're right about that and as remote as it is it really surprised us how many people were visiting there. It is certainly a special place to visit. Thanks for commenting. Bob

---------- Post added 08-17-14 at 05:58 PM ----------

Originally posted by jac

Amazing colours. Where did you get the teeny, tiny little people to pose for the shot?

and that was the difficult part of the photo, getting very small people to climb the dunes. Several were lost in the photographing of this scene.

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 08-17-2014, 10:30 PM

That is an amazing picture Bob, thanks for posting it.

**wtlwdwgn** · 08-18-2014, 12:49 PM

Beautiful lines and colors captured in this one Bob!

lesmore49 · 08-18-2014, 02:07 PM

Absolutely stunning photograph. The layering of colour is excellent.

**Bob Harris** · 08-19-2014, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

That is an amazing picture Bob, thanks for posting it.

thank you Heinrich, an interesting place to explore for sure.

---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 11:34 AM ----------

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Beautiful lines and colors captured in this one Bob!

I have found if I take enough photos I'll get a few right once in awhile.

---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 11:35 AM ----------

Originally posted by lesmore49

Absolutely stunning photograph. The layering of colour is excellent.

thanks so much for the kind words, I may print this one someday.

Michael Piziak · 08-19-2014, 01:43 PM

Amazing photo. Look at those small people.

**Sailor** · 08-19-2014, 06:08 PM

What a marvelous composition, old buddy. The curves - accentuated by the subtle color changes - are sensuous for sure. Super stuff.

Jer

GeoJerry · 08-19-2014, 08:11 PM

Nice shot and great composition!! Are those purple flowers in the foreground?

**Bob Harris** · 08-20-2014, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

Amazing photo. Look at those small people.

thank you Michael, they do seem small don't they.

,

---------- Post added 08-20-14 at 08:14 PM ----------

Originally posted by Sailor

What a marvelous composition, old buddy. The curves - accentuated by the subtle color changes - are sensuous for sure. Super stuff.

Jer

this sounds like you are talking about a beautiful woman Jer, I had to recheck what photo I posted.

thanks so much bud for the kind words.

---------- Post added 08-20-14 at 08:15 PM ----------

Originally posted by GeoJerry

Nice shot and great composition!! Are those purple flowers in the foreground?

there's green shrubbery there Jerry, I think what you are seeing is sand that has been walked on quite a bit.

**Mallee Boy** · 08-21-2014, 12:51 AM

G'Day Bob,
Are they north of Alamosa in the San Juan ? Valley ?
Great shot, worthy of a wall.

vonBaloney · 08-21-2014, 07:19 AM

Bob, when was this taken? Was the creek running or dried up? (It only has water seasonally.) It has only been dry when I've been there unfortunately, wanted to get some shots with water in the foreground. (And cool off my dog.)

**Bob Harris** · 08-21-2014, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Mallee Boy

G'Day Bob,
Are they north of Alamosa in the San Juan ? Valley ?
Great shot, worthy of a wall.

thanks Grant, that's exactly where they are. The dunes were formed by blowing sand in the valley being trapped by the San Juan mountain range. Nearest town would be Mosca.

**Bob Harris** · 08-21-2014, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Bob, when was this taken? Was the creek running or dried up? (It only has water seasonally.) It has only been dry when I've been there unfortunately, wanted to get some shots with water in the foreground. (And cool off my dog.)

I took the photo about two weeks ago and there was about 2 to 3 inches of water running at the deepest. We are now in Monument Valley, bad internet speed, so I'll try and load some pics of the water/area for you.

vonBaloney · 08-21-2014, 06:19 PM

This was the creek when I was there. Interesting that the contours on the dunes are so stable. This was taken years ago.

**Bob Harris** · 08-21-2014, 07:32 PM

I like the starkness of your photo, reminds me so much of Death Valley. It looks like you had a clear day, I think the fluffy clouds overhead and passing as I took the photos gave the dunes a lot of the color. Either way a great place to visit for sure. Thanks for adding the photo.

---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 07:30 PM ----------

and I agree with your comment on the contours of the sand, they haven't changed much at all and one of the days we were there it blew so hard you couldn't even see the dunes with lots of sand in the air.

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08-17-2014, 06:56 PM	#16
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney That place is amazing. Anybody that finds themselves in southern Colorado should definitely make a point to check it out... You're right about that and as remote as it is it really surprised us how many people were visiting there. It is certainly a special place to visit. Thanks for commenting. Bob ---------- Post added 08-17-14 at 05:58 PM ---------- Originally posted by jac Amazing colours. Where did you get the teeny, tiny little people to pose for the shot? and that was the difficult part of the photo, getting very small people to climb the dunes. Several were lost in the photographing of this scene.

08-17-2014, 10:30 PM	#17
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	That is an amazing picture Bob, thanks for posting it.

08-18-2014, 12:49 PM	#18
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,853	Beautiful lines and colors captured in this one Bob!

08-18-2014, 02:07 PM	#19
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	Absolutely stunning photograph. The layering of colour is excellent.

08-19-2014, 12:33 PM	#20
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477 Original Poster	Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann That is an amazing picture Bob, thanks for posting it. thank you Heinrich, an interesting place to explore for sure. ---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 11:34 AM ---------- Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Beautiful lines and colors captured in this one Bob! I have found if I take enough photos I'll get a few right once in awhile. ---------- Post added 08-19-14 at 11:35 AM ---------- Originally posted by lesmore49 Absolutely stunning photograph. The layering of colour is excellent. thanks so much for the kind words, I may print this one someday.

08-19-2014, 01:43 PM	#21
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815	Amazing photo. Look at those small people.

08-19-2014, 06:08 PM	#22
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	What a marvelous composition, old buddy. The curves - accentuated by the subtle color changes - are sensuous for sure. Super stuff. Jer

08-19-2014, 08:11 PM	#23
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	Nice shot and great composition!! Are those purple flowers in the foreground?

08-20-2014, 09:12 PM	#24
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477 Original Poster	Originally posted by Michael Piziak Amazing photo. Look at those small people. thank you Michael, they do seem small don't they. , ---------- Post added 08-20-14 at 08:14 PM ---------- Originally posted by Sailor What a marvelous composition, old buddy. The curves - accentuated by the subtle color changes - are sensuous for sure. Super stuff. Jer this sounds like you are talking about a beautiful woman Jer, I had to recheck what photo I posted. thanks so much bud for the kind words. ---------- Post added 08-20-14 at 08:15 PM ---------- Originally posted by GeoJerry Nice shot and great composition!! Are those purple flowers in the foreground? there's green shrubbery there Jerry, I think what you are seeing is sand that has been walked on quite a bit.

08-21-2014, 12:51 AM	#25
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	G'Day Bob, Are they north of Alamosa in the San Juan ? Valley ? Great shot, worthy of a wall.

08-21-2014, 07:19 AM	#26
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Bob, when was this taken? Was the creek running or dried up? (It only has water seasonally.) It has only been dry when I've been there unfortunately, wanted to get some shots with water in the foreground. (And cool off my dog.)

08-21-2014, 05:53 PM	#27
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mallee Boy G'Day Bob, Are they north of Alamosa in the San Juan ? Valley ? Great shot, worthy of a wall. thanks Grant, that's exactly where they are. The dunes were formed by blowing sand in the valley being trapped by the San Juan mountain range. Nearest town would be Mosca.

08-21-2014, 06:19 PM	#29
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	This was the creek when I was there. Interesting that the contours on the dunes are so stable. This was taken years ago.

08-21-2014, 07:32 PM	#30
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477 Original Poster	I like the starkness of your photo, reminds me so much of Death Valley. It looks like you had a clear day, I think the fluffy clouds overhead and passing as I took the photos gave the dunes a lot of the color. Either way a great place to visit for sure. Thanks for adding the photo. ---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 07:30 PM ---------- and I agree with your comment on the contours of the sand, they haven't changed much at all and one of the days we were there it blew so hard you couldn't even see the dunes with lots of sand in the air.