Around the Grand Valley

Thursday – Sunday, January 3-6, 2013

We’ve had a very cold start to the year so I’ve been staying close to home more than I usually do. Since that’s the case, I’ve been spending my free time trying to make some more unique images of locations I’ve photographed before, plus I’ve been trying to find some new locations around the Grand Valley. Here’s a few photos from the past couple of days.

I drove up to the Independence Monument viewpoint after work on Thursday and stuck around after the sun had dropped below the horizon so I could catch the Earth Shadow above the Book Cliffs.

Island Earth Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then I stayed a little longer for a photo of Independence Monument in the twilight with the lights of Grand Junction in the background.

Independence Monument Twilight by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Saturday morning I was up early to photograph the sunrise photo along the Colorado River in De Beque Canyon. As I was taking a few photos in the early dawn light a man with a dog approached me. At first, I assumed he was out for a walk along the river, but then he mentioned to me that he and some friends were hunting ducks nearby and would be shooting right over the area I was in. I decided it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to stick around, so I hiked back to my Jeep and got out of there so that I could find somewhere else to watch the sun come up.

Dawn in De Beque Canyon along the Colorado River.

Winter River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made it to another location in Grand Junction just before the sun started to rise. I’m kind of glad I had to move, because this location was spectacular this morning with fog rising off the river that was lit up from behind by the sun.

River of Fire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Emergence by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I took a hike to Devil’s Kitchen in the Colorado National Monument on Saturday evening to hike around in the snow and watch the sunset.

Last light on Devil’s Kitchen.

Devils Kitchen Winter by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On my way home from the Monument I stopped at the Colorado River again for a view of the Grand Mesa after the sun was down.

River & Mesa by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Sunday morning I returned to the Colorado River to photograph the fog in the early morning light again.

The ice and river turned purple for a short time before sunrise.

Purple Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Pink Ripples by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

So did the fog.

Dawn Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then the sun made it’s first appearance of the day over the Grand Mesa.

Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There was plenty of frost on the trees along the banks of the river.

Fog & Frost by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunrise Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Backlit Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Frost clings to the branches of these trees along the Colorado River on a frigid morning. Fog rising off of the river below softens the scene and gives this image a painterly feel.

Frosty Morning by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Even though I stayed close to home, it was a very productive couple of days. Even with all the frigid temperatures we’ve been having around here!

>> Independence Monument Twilight Photo Gallery
>> Colorado River Winter Photo Gallery
>> Devil’s Kitchen Photo Gallery
>> Colorado River Sunrise Photo Gallery