Painting - Teton Milky Way

Teton Milky Way - Prints available

There's something about starry skies that can bring about a sense of awe and inspiration for me.  The same goes for mountains.  The infinite space and giant rock forms make us seem small...or make God seem big.

This acrylic painting was taken from multiple images of midnight photo shoots of the Milky Way and predawn images of the Grand Teton Mountain Range from northwestern Wyoming.  In my opinion, the Tetons from near Jackson Hole are the most majestic and jagged peaks in the lower 48 states.  I've wanted to paint them for a while, but have been focusing on summer trips and photography.  A couple of rainy days in the mountains have kept us home giving me the opportunity to paint.


This time-lapse video is approximately 6 hours of painting time condensed into about 4 minutes:

Fern and Odessa Lakes - RMNP

Thanks to Grandma for watching the kids so Cami and I could take a hike into Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a perfect weather day and a treat to spend a day in a beautiful place with my beautiful wife!

Typical vagrants in Estes Park

Big Thompson River and Moraine Park at dawn - Prints available

The hike to Fern Lake (9,500ish ft.) was snow free on an easy trail.  At Fern Falls, we walked right up to a backpacker who was taking pictures of the waterfall.  The falls were so loud that he didn't hear our voices or footsteps.  It startled him and he jumped and accidentally dropped his smartphone in the water!  Just kidding.  He didn't drop his phone, but we did give him a good scare.  We wouldn't see another soul for the rest of the morning, which is rare for this part of the park. 

Fern Falls was violent from the spring snow melt

Fern Lake - Prints available

Fern Lake Panorama

The trail past Fern Lake was completely covered in snow.  The nice thing about spring hiking in the National Park is that all the snow on the trails has been packed down by the many visitors walking on them.  This makes for easy hiking on top without the dreaded postholing.  All we needed were microspikes on our boots. 

We had the lake all to ourselves for lunch.

Odessa Lake with Notchtop Mountain - Prints available

Odessa Lake vertical

Late Autumn in the Sangre de Cristos

The family and I took a trip down to the lot over the 4 day weekend.  I decided to take a couple afternoons off and go for a couple sunset photography drives.  It was a pleasant surprise to find some pockets of fall colors along the "Highway of Legends" and the Huerfano River Valley.  Here are a few images from the trip:

Culebra Peak from near Trinidad

West Spanish Peak

Sunset and stars over West Spanish Peak near La Veta - Prints Available

Sunset over East Spanish Peak form near Walsenburg

Huerfano Valley

Aspen stand

I drove up to the Lily Lake trailhead to see how the aspens were doing up higher.  Nope... Not a leaf on the trees, but the sunset was awsome over Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point (two Colorado 14ers):

Blanca and Ellingwood Sunset - Prints Available

This one taken like 2 minutes later - Close up of Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point

The Maroon Bells - Acrylic Painting

The Maroon Bells - Fine art prints available

Just finished my latest artwork in progress featuring the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake from Aspen, Colorado.  I looked through hundreds of images of these peaks from different times of day, from different vantage points and in different seasons.  This was a compilation of what I believe is the most idealistic/iconic view of this scene.  The sun is rising and hitting the peaks and clouds above turning them bright orange.  The aspen groves have turned yellow and orange in the fall.  The lake is still and calm creating a perfect reflection of the 14,000 ft. peaks.

All together this painting took almost 30 hours.  It measures 4 feet wide by 3 feet tall. 

Front Range Sunrise - The Flatirons and Longs Peak

A friend and I visited one of my new favorite spots the other morning to shoot the Flatirons and Longs Peak.  He had recently obtained a new camera body and wanted to test it out.  We arrived before dawn on a very windy morning.  The wind died down a little as the sun rose and lit up the flatirons in a bright pink - the most intense color I've seen so far.

Four Seasons Series - Rocky Mountain National Park

One year in the making! 

Just finished my second four seasons project featuring Longs Peak, the king of Rocky Mountain National Park.  This series of images was taken in the Moraine Park area with a view of the eastern face of the peak known as the "diamond".  There was a group of aspens standing alone right in front of the peak in an easily accessible area.  From left to right, the seasons represented are: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.  Each was taken at the exact same location at different times of day and different times of year capturing a lapse in time. 

Spring

This image was taken after one of the wettest seasons of the decade. Snow lingered on the mountain well into the month of July.  The fresh bright green growth of the trees and grass contrast with the white blanketed peak.  This photograph was captured mid afternoon.




Summer

 
The summer image looks a little hazy in the distance because of the smoke from the huge wildfires on the west coast caused by a severe drought.  The smoke and haze from these fires traveled all the way out to Colorado and created a soft pink glow on the peak this morning at sunrise. 




Fall

  
The Autumn sunset image took the most work to capture. I visited this same location more than 10 times during the fall color season waiting for this small group of aspen trees to turn to gold.  This specific little aspen stand must have been the last group in the whole park to change their colors!  It wasn't until the end of October that they began to show off their fiery colors. After the sun went behind the peak on this evening, it lit up the sky in warm hues that complimented the color in the trees.




Winter

  
This one was taken right after Christmas day on a frozen December morning before dawn. Just as the sun rose, it turned the sky a bright purple above the peak and bare trees. The winds were strong and I stood outside dancing around trying to stay warm next to my tripod.  Note to self, bring gloves next time.  

2016 Colorado 14ers Calendar

For years, friends and family have been telling me that I need to make a monthly calendar using my mountain photography.  Well, here it is... announcing the 2016 Colorado 14ers Calendar! 

I've chosen some of the most majestic 14,000 ft. peaks (known as 14ers) from throughout the state to feature in the collection.  Each photograph was taken in it's respective month (there were some very cold and uncomfortable mornings involved).  It was fun visiting these locations of breathtaking beauty:

Click on the link below to order:

Colorado 14ers 2016 Calendar by AaronSpongArt

Each of the images featured in the calendar are also for sale in high quality fine art photography prints at: 

aaronspong.com

The End of Autumn

Longs Peak after the first snow of the season Oct, 2015 - Prints available

The last light of the evening turns the clouds pink as they lift off of Longs Peak to reveal the first snow of the season. A fresh dusting of white blankets the peak and contrasts with the giant "Diamond" east face of the mountain. Most of the color is gone from the aspen trees along the hillside except for a few remaining stands of bright yellow and orange. The fall foliage color season has lasted a long time this year as different stands turned at different times...some as late as mid-October!  The sunset on this evening was one of the most colorful and beautiful I've ever witnessed!  I only wish It would last longer, but that magic hour is short lived indeed.

Rocky Mountain National Park - Autumn 2015

This year was not the most ideal for Fall Color photography in the Colorado mountains.  Many of the popular aspen viewing areas have been infected with some sort of fungus (or that's what they're saying) that causes the aspens to turn brown and drop their leaves prematurely.  Our very wet spring followed by a drought at the end of summer could be one of the causes of these unhealthy aspen groves.  Also, the peaks were still snow free due to the warm weather.  So, after hearing these reports, I decided to stay closer to home this season and spend some time in Rocky Mountain National Park.  As far as I've seen, the park wasn't affected as described.  The aspens looked healthy and the colors were vibrant!

Here's a compilation of photographs from multiple trips to RMNP in the past couple weeks:

Wild Basin Area

Wild Basin at Sunrise - Prints available

  

Copeland

Bear Lake Area

Bierstadt Lake Trail

Elk Bugle

Bear Lake and Longs Peak at Sunset - Prints available

Longs

Horseshoe Park Area

 

Mt. Chaquita

Sunset in Horseshoe Park (elk herd on the right)

5 Great Wildflower Locations in Colorado

Summer is wildflower season in the Rocky Mountains.  The snow melts and the hills come alive with color making for a photographer's paradise.  Nothing seems to compliment a stunning mountain backdrop better than a foreground of fiery blossoms.  There are many locations that are known for their abundance of budding beauties, but the areas listed below are ones that stand out in my experience:




1. Boulder Flatirons

The entire area surrounding the Flatirons is a great spot in the springtime to find some color. The flat plains of the Front Range come to an end as massive rock formations shoot out of the ground.  One of the most popular places to hike is Chautauqua Park located right on the edge of the town in Boulder.  Here, you can walk only feet away from the parking lot and find yourself in the middle of rolling hillsides full of flowers.


When to go: Late May to Early June






2. American Basin

American Basin is a most beautiful setting in the San Juan mountain range.  Located near Lake City just off the Alpine Loop scenic byway en route to Cinnamon Pass, the basin is better known as part of the standard route that leads to one of Colorado's "easiest" 14ers, Handies Peak.  This short hike into the valley is best done at sunrise when the first rays of light hit American Peak in the background.

When to go: Mid July to Early August





3. Shrine Pass

Shrine Pass is accessed just a couple miles off of Vail Pass on I-70.  From the pass, a short (and popular) hike up to Shrine Mountain will reward your effort with countless clusters of indian paintbrush and lupine wildflowers.  The 360 views are awesome!  From here you can frame the famous Mt. of the Holy Cross as a backdrop, or capture the whole length of the rugged Gore range to the north.

When to go: Mid July to Early August





4. Crested Butte



The town of Crested Butte is called the "wildflower capitol of Colorado." Endless hillsides of yellow mules ears and white cow parsnip are seen in every direction on a drive through town. Mt. Crested Butte and Gothic Mountain are the dominant peaks here and can best be viewed along Gothic Road just past the ski area. The Brush Creek Road is another great drive and can be extended much further if you have 4-wheel drive.



When to go: July





5. Yankee Boy Basin

 A popular 4 wheeling/hiking location just outside the unique town of Ouray, Yankee Boy Basin is one of the best ways to witness Colorado's finest scenery.  Ouray is called the "Switzerland of America".  The peaks of the Sneffels Range are arguably the most jagged in the state.  The waterfalls, wildflowers, and dramatic mountains are just breathtaking.



When to go: July/August






To view more wildflower art/photography visit: http://aaron-spong.artistwebsites.com/art/all/all/all/wildflowers

Teocalli Mountain - July 2015

Old farming house with Teocalli Mountain - Prints Available

KD ready to go!

Cami, KD and I drove down to the Brush Creek road with the intention of 4 wheeling up to the Teocalli Mountain trailhead to set up camp Wednesday night, but by the time we had everything loaded, it was almost dark and raining hard.  We drove a couple hundred yards up the trail on the ATV and turned around to take refuge in the truck where we slept that night.

The next morning after sunrise, we headed back into town to grab some food and explore the scenery around Crested Butte before giving it another try that afternoon.  The entire area was just filled with fields of color.  Crested Butte is called the "wildflower capitol of Colorado."   After this trip I'm inclined to agree with this label:

Sunrise the first morning.

Gothic Mountain

Mt. Crested Butte - Prints Available

Lupine Wildflowers - Prints Available

We 4 wheeled up the road and set up the tent right at the base of Teocalli Mountain. KD is now 2 years old and getting much better at not driving her parents crazy on long trips. She loved riding the ATV and "helping Daddy drive."

I woke at 3am and headed out in the dark hoping for a unique sunrise view of Castle Peak, the tallest 14,000 ft. peak in the Elk Range.  I reached the ridge right about at sunrise, but the cloud cover was pretty dense.  In fact, there was only a quick 30 second period of time where the actual summit of Castle Peak was visible before the clouds engulfed it again.

Fire on the mountain

Castle Peak - Prints Available

Fresh dusting of snow at the top!

Here's a time-lapse of the sunrise.  It's about 2 hours condensed into 30 seconds:

The views south were also stunning!

Distant alpenglow

Mt. Crested Butte and Whetstone Mountain from just below the summit.

Up!

There almost no visibility on the summit.  We were literally walking in the clouds.  Hiking back down through the fields of wildflowers was awesome though.  Hmm... I must have missed them on my way up.

Looking back down the route.

Color!

KD actually fell asleep in my arms while riding the ATV on the way back to the truck.  It was a quick, but beautiful trip that I would highly recommend.

Parting Shot