Windy Ridge is a location where bristlecone pines may be found growing along the treeline, at an elevation of about 12,000 feet. These trees grow in extreme cold and windy conditions. The force of the wind causes the trees to bend over — some specimens appear to be lying on the ground. Last week, I took a couple of vacation days and made a day trip to make some images of these magnificent trees.
Windy Ridge
These magnificent trees are extremely tough and withstand both the cold and fires. They have no natural enemies — only man. The bristlecones in this grove of trees grow for up to 1500 years. The windward side of these trees frequently have no bark; the windy conditions probably contributed to this phenomenon. The tree below shows a typical tree — the wind prevails from the left side.
Bristlecone Pines At Windy Ridge
Soon after arriving, a storm moved in. Looking across South Park, the storm passed over Alma. There was a rain shower (and maybe mixed with snow) falling on the town.
Storm Over Alma
The incoming storm continued towards Windy Ridge. The sun was setting, causing the storm to take on the orange color of sunset.
Approaching Storm
As the sun set behind the nearby mountain peak, the storm clouds picked up the color of the setting sun. The entire landscape around me was bathed in an orange light. In the distance, I could make out a line of bristlecones against the orange of the storm clouds.
Bristlecone Pines At Sunset
Turning around, the sky lit up the foreground in an orange light. In the distance, the setting sun caught the tip of the distant peak.
Fall Sunset At Windy Ridge
Soon afterward, the sun disappeared below the horizon.
Hi daddy,
I don’t know which series I prefer – the cosmos or the bristlecones! They are both very good…