Chuck Lockett Photo
Photographing America's natural places.
15-17 APRIL: ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Photographically, Rocky Mountain NP started slowly. I arrived amid snow squalls and cold temperatures.
Bear Lake. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
The next few days were intermittently overcast – with potentially good periods interrupted by low clouds on the horizon or clouds blocking the peaks.
Big Thompson River in Moraine Park. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Today, however, was probably the best photographic day of the trip. The day started with sunrise from a position overlooking Beaver Meadows – a herd of elk feeding below, Longs Peak and the adjacent range clear in the background, clouds overhead – and punctuated by a long period of great light.
Sunrise Over Beaver Meadows. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Mid-morning and mid-afternoon focused on the intimate landscape – cascades of Glacier Creek with a few icicles, aspen and Roaring River Falls along the entrance to the Old Fall River Road.
Glacier Creek Cascade. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Ice Over Glacier Creek. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Falls of Roaring River Near Alluvial Fan. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 28-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
The day ended with sunset from West Horseshoe Meadow. I initially shot to the west from the edge of Fall River trying to capture the subtle color as the sun peaked through gaps in the clouds.
Sunset to West from Fall River. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Singh Ray 2+3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Once the color faded, I turned east and was able to capture a cloud and it’s reflection in the river as the sun set.
Cloud and Reflection on Fall River. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Singh Ray 2+3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
15 APRIL: SIDE TRIP: COLORADO RIVER ROAD AND PEAK TO PEAK HIGHWAY
I spent the night in Glenwood Springs, CO – last resting place of John “Doc” Holliday. I woke to snow that seemed to clear bit by 9AM. I drove the Colorado River Road (County Road 301 to CO131) as recommended in John Fielder’s Best of Colorado. This road leaves I-70 at Dotsero and roughly parallels the Colorado River for approx 50 miles through State Bridge and intersects again with I-70 at Wolcott. The road, mostly well-maintained dirt and easily traveled by passenger car, passes through some beautiful country. You’ll see something different around each turn and over each hill – the 50 mile trip could take all day to account for all the photo stops.
Along Colorado River Road. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Hand Held. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
Later, you may run into this same group of Big Horn Sheep.
Big Horn along Colorado River Road. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Hand Held. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
After returning to I-70, I drove to Rocky Mountain NP over Vail Pass (10K plus) and via the Peak to Peak Highway…with some decent snow flurries.
View toward Rocky Mountain NP from Peak to Peak Highway. Nikon D300 DLSR, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo Polarizer, Hand Held. ©Chuck Lockett Photography
13-14 APRIL: GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Great Sand Dunes was a National Monument when I first visited in 2002. Great Sand Dunes NP, located in Colorado’s San Luis Valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, preserves one of the largest and tallest dunes fields in the US. The weather system which continued to affect northern CO provided for interesting sunset and sunrise light.
Afternoon Storm Clouds. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Singh Ray 2-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
The sunrise in particular was fascinating. Due to the east-west orientation of the dunes, I hoped for good light and clouds on the east facing slopes as the sun rose.
Pre-Dawn Dunes. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Instead – and I expect due to the cloud cover – the light first hit on the plains to the west and moved eastward to the western end of the dunes. I’ve only seen this once before – during a sunset over Yellowstone Lake – and I believe to be caused by gaps in clouds above the layer visible from the ground.
Morning Light Over Dunes. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Morning Light From West. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Dune photography is fun – the wind and sand patterns offer infinite composition options – for detail, intimate, and grande landscape perspectives.
Dune Detail. Nikon D300, Nikon 28-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Dune Patterns. Nikon D300, Nikon 28-200mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
13 APRIL: MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Much of Mesa Verde had not yet re-opened from the winter season. I was, however, able to take a tour of Cliff Palace with only 4 other people. This allowed plenty of time for photography…unfortunately the storm system moving across the northern part of the state provided heavy cloud cover during my visit.
Cliff Palace. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Cliff Palace Detail. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray LB Color Combo polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
12 APRIL: ON THE ROAD: SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS
Due to the weather system moving into northern Colorado, I choose to travel south to Mesa Verde NP. The trip took me through the San Juan Mountains via US 550 and some good April snow squalls. Molas Pass is above 10K’ – the image is indicative of the storm system covering the area as I drove south…during a period of relatively clear weather.
Near Molas Pass in the San Juan Mountains. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
10-11 APRIL: BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
One of the systems newest and least visited NPs, Black Canyon preserves a unique canyon – deeper than it is wide. This makes photography difficult from the rim with much of the canyon in deep shadow. The weather the afternoon I arrived at the south rim was a mix of sun, clouds, and a few thunderstorms. The following morning provided for a short period of relatively good sunrise light on the Painted Wall – an approximately 2300’ rock face.
Painted Wall Sunrise. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography.
By the time I arrived at the north rim – maybe 1000’ away but a 2 hour drive to get there – the weather deteriorated into snow squalls and limited visibility.
Narrows Snow Squall. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Balanced Rock Snow Squall. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer. Hand Held. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Like many of the NPs, the campground at Black Canyon has been frequented by Black Bears – food must be secured in vehicles or in the bear boxes. What I had not seen at other parks was the recommendation not to cook within arm’s length – I assume a bear had swiped supper right from the pot at one point or another?
10-11 APRIL: SIDE TRIP: COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Colorado NM is just over the Utah/Colorado border near the towns of Fruita and Grand Junction. This is a photographer’s paradise with incredible cliff formations and wildlife. Immediately upon entering the park, I photographed a small group of Bighorn Sheep grazing on the cliffs above and below the road. The single lamb made several valiant, but unsuccessful, attempts to scale the cliff to the adults above the road. Both sunset and sunrise light was fascinating from Grand View and Book Cliffs. The sunset light in particular shifted from foreground formations to background mountains to clouds and then repeated over several cycles. One of the best sunset cloud days of the trip…followed by great light the next morning from Book Cliff.
Grand View Twilight. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Grand View Sunset. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Book Cliffs Sunrise. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Book Cliffs Morning. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Edge of the Cliff. Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Juniper at Sunset. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
If you’re in nearby Grand Junction try the Great Harvest Bread Company for an incredible sandwich and cookies!
10 APRIL: SIDE TRIP: DEAD HORSE STATE PARK
Dead Horse SP is just outside the entrance to Canyonlands Island in the Sky. This is a great morning location after a sunrise shoot at Mesa Arch. Dead Horse overlooks a wide view of the canyon country to include an impressive bend in the Green River.
Dead Horse Morning 1. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Dead Horse Morning 2. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
7-9 APRIL: ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
My plan for Arches was to photograph previously visited locations from different perspectives and to visit some new locations. The first afternoon I hiked to Delicate Arch for sunset…perhaps the park’s most iconic location. Of course on a Saturday evening with Utah spring break and Moab‘s Jeep week ongoing, a huge crowd…all taking turns one at a time under the arch for a picture. Not much opportunity to photograph.
Delicate Arch Sunset. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Delicate Arch Twilight. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Singh Ray 3-stop split ND, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
The following day I photographed Turret Arch with an almost full moon at sunrise and Balanced Rock at sunset. 
Balanced Rock at Dusk. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
6-7 APRIL/10 APRIL: CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
I spent the night in Canyonlands Needles district. I woke to a full moon to the west and envisioned an image with the moon setting over the needles basking in sunrise light. Unfortunately, when I hiked to the position where I hoped to capture this image the moon was blocked by a high ridgeline and I had now no time to get to the right position. Still got some good sunrise light.
Canyonlands Needles Sunset. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
On my way out from Arches, I stopped at Canyonlands Island in the Sky district to photograph Mesa Arch at sunrise. I was first at Mesa, then another photographer, then one other. Three photographers for this sunrise location is not imaginable. As the light was about the peak, the tour bus arrived…to include the young man who asked: “Where’s the arch?” Still a great sunrise!
Mesa Arch Sunrise. Nikon D300, Nikon 17-35mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
Organ Player or Washer Woman? Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200mm, Singh Ray warming polarizer, Gitzo tripod, Kirk Bh-3 ballhead. (c)Chuck Lockett Photography
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