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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Colorado National Monument, Colorado


Colorado National Monument

Text And Photography By Brian MacStay
Labels: Locations

This Article Features Photo Zoom
Best Times
 The park is best photographed early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. During summer, morning light casts interesting shadows into the canyons and onto the enormous rock formations. Stick around for sunset, as the warm afternoon light brings out the red color of the earth. A magnificent image of Independence Monument can be captured after sunset with the city lights of Grand Junction and Fruita in the background. Winter also is especially beautiful at Colorado National Monument. I visited the park at dawn one winter morning, just as a dusting of snow finished covering the park. The contrast of the beautiful white snow on the deep red rock made for striking imagery.

Contact: Colorado National Monument, www.nps.gov/colm, (970) 858-3617, ext. 360.

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14 Comments

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  1. Brian MacStay makes this comment

    Monday, 06 July 2009

    Hi Kels, This is the photographer.... Thank you for the perspective. I'm not even sure what you mean by "burn job...." Even if I knew what it was I'm not sure I would know how to do it. But let me ask you this though, if the sky were "burned in," how could that then be perfectly reflected in the surrounding rock and plant life? Another thought.... The great Ansel Adams was well known for perfecting the art of "dodging and burning" in the dark room. If that's what you mean, then I take your comments as a compliment.

  2. kels makes this comment

    Tuesday, 30 June 2009

    hey, not to rein on the parade here but isn't this a fairly obvious burn job on the sky to bring in the sky to make it look like a professional photo...

  3. GBPackers68 makes this comment

    Monday, 29 June 2009

    I lived in Grand Junction most of 2007 and 2008. It is one of my favorite National Parks (or Monuments). They have a great park association that hosts various presentations throughout the year - I highly recommend the "Bench Trail" and any geology, astronomy, or Big Horn Sheep hikes. Schedule is available here: http://coloradonma.org/ I took over 14,000 pictures out there in a year and got some wonderful panoramas. Grand Junction is a great base camp for other nearby parks too (Arches/Canyonlands is 90 minutes away, Black Canyon is also fairly close). There are plenty of Indian drawings to be found (but you will likely have to find someone who knows where they are since the park staff doesn't like to reveal their locations due to vandalism)

  4. Jennifer makes this comment

    Monday, 29 June 2009

    this is in my back yard and a GREAT place for amazing shots.

  5. Papa Parnell makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    Thats my boy Nico...Lance invited us over for Italian Cuisine the other night. We brought a true authentic italian dish...Ragu and Kraft Noodles...Nico calls it the Goolash... I will post later, Lance is coming over to rub my balls.

  6. Riaga man makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    I could triple dyno that tree. Are there any killer sharks in Colorado?

  7. Sean P. makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    Reminds me of a great Phil Collins song, which was written while I sat on his lap!

  8. Nico makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    This reminds me of the time Lance Armstrong and I went biking through the Andes. Great shot Brian!

  9. Nick makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    It's photography like this that reminds us all how beautiful our country is if we would just stop and open our eyes.

  10. Benny makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    A good friend of mine always tells me how beautiful Colorado is. I need to make a visit. Great photo, keep up the great work

  11. Bob makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    Was ready to plan a Colorado RV trip. I will be sure to make this one of my stops. Great job.

  12. Jeff makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    Great work Brian... Keep them coming.

  13. Coreena makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    My brother has told me it's beautiful there. I guess I have to put it on my list of places to go see! Thanks for letting us enjoy your work!

  14. Jay makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 June 2009

    Awesome photo! I love it over there. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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