Aspen
Now this is a far-back memory to talk about & reflect on.
In the summer of 2018, I went on my first road-trip out west. I visited the stunning state of Colorado! After many stops, I’d found myself camping in Aspen with the goal of hiking to the Maroon Bells.
On the morning I’d be hiking towards the Bells, there was a thick cloud layer overhead spitting on me as I left my tent. I wouldn’t let it deter me, and I drove out to the Bells and began my hike. Once I got there there was pay-off quickly. The first vantage point was only a short distance from the park-up and the view there was great. This wasn’t going to be where my hike ended. I had farther stops in sight.
Location:
Aspen, Colorado
Date:
Summer, 2018
Camera:
Nikon D800
I hiked out through some aspen groves, and cliff trails towards an alpine lake closer to the base of the mountains. Upon arrival, not much had changed from the morning and I setup my camera and waited. Eventually the light decided to play ball. It was a slow change, but it began to show itself piercing the cloud bank above. The mountainous foreground lit up in a stunning display of light while the clouds to the rear remained dark and foreboding. Below is my favorite shot of the mountains that morning.
From there, I spent another hour or so waiting on the weather to change. While it did change, I didn’t get another great image from that vantage point and eventually I needed to go. I packed up my things, and began on my way. Little did I know this is when I’d be taking my favorite image of the day.
I rounded a bend as I was walking through an Aspen Grove to the car park and stopped dead in my tracks. Not five feet from the trail was a deer eating bushes and having breakfast. If I reached out I felt I’d have been close enough to touch him. Ever so slowly I took off my pack, drew my camera (not wasting time to change my lens) and took a few shots before he ran off.
I was blessed to have captured such a close-up image and to-date (in 2024) this is my favorite wildlife shot I’ve ever taken. I can’t wait to head back out to Colorado and see what else is in store for me out there.
Later on that day, I did take a few images I quite fancy looking back on this day. None of them stand out to me as “portfolio worthy” however as I’m getting older, I’m learning more and more that that’s okay. It’s good to enjoy the images regardless. I hope you enjoy them too.
