For the last two weeks, many rivers in Colorado have filled due to snow-melt in the mountains. On Sunday, I headed out to Foxton, on the North Fork of the South Platte River, to make some photos of the river. The North Fork is fed from snow-melt and also water from a tunnel to the Dillon Reservoir. At this time of the year, the volume of flowing water can make for some great images. In this image, I used a long shutter speed to capture the flowing water.
Water Flow On North Fork Of South Platte.
Typically, several logs, and other debris from the forests, in carried downstream, to get snagged in boulders and other obstacles in the river.
Logs, Trapped By Boulders.
I found a location where water flowed around some of the larger boulders in the river. Some of these granite boulders measure some 12 to 15 feet in height. In this image, there was a pine sapling growing at the bank of the river. I carefully composed this image with the background boulder and sapling aligned and centered in the frame.
Pine Sapling At Bank Of Platte River.
As the water flows downstream, it divides and flows around boulders. In this image, the water flowed over some low boulders, creating foamy turbulence around the larger boulder.
Turbulent Water Around Giant Boulder.
Moving downstream, I found a flowering place that was growing in a fracture running through pink granite.
Flowering Plant In Granite Boulder Crack.
Farther downstream, is the confluence of the north and south forks of the river. The south fork did not have the huge water flow compared to the north fork.
Boulder In South Fork Of Platte River.
One location on the north fork has erosion pockets in the granite walls of a narrow canyon.
Erosion Pockets Along The South Fork.
For most of the late afternoon, the weather was overcast. This allowed for some great images without deep black shadow.
This last weekend, there were two art events. It was First Friday Art Walk and Art Student’s League Summer Market. After visiting one second floor gallery on Friday, I left walking down stairs and noticed one man sitting on the bench outside the gallery. This was an elderly gentleman who was watching the art scene all around him on Santa Fe Blvd. I made several images of him while people were walking past behind him. This was the best images without other distractions of passing people.
Watching The Art Scene Crowds.
Across the street was the “Artists On Santa Fe” gallery was contrasted nicely against the late afternoon skies at sunset.
Artists On Santa Fe Gallery Building.
Looking up above me, the skies started to form some interesting patterns. The exterior lights had switched on to provide some light on the foreground building.
Three Lights And Sky, Santa Fe Blvd.
Later, after visiting some other galleries, the setting sun sank lower in the sky, creating shadows on the orange-brown facade.
Gallery Windows, Facade And Blue Sky.
Farther along the street, I noticed these four buildings with the sunset skies behind. The sunset was also reflected in the second floor windows.
Santa Fe Blvd Buildings And Skies At Sunset.
On Saturday, we took the opportunity to visit the annual Summer Market hosted by the Art Student’s League. This is a two-day event where Instructors and Student Members can display their art work for sale. Close to the League building are two sites where apartment blocks are under construction. The yellow cladding on the exterior of the new buildings was reflected from the adjacent building…
Yellow Construction Reflections.
I noticed this yellow tunnel formed by two closely spaced dumpsters nearby. All that yellow, contrasting against that thin sliver of blue from the truck and sky in the background, just begged for an image!
Yellow Dumpster Tunnel.
Finally, after departing the market, we passed these colorful red porch chairs.
A few of the artists created 3-D art work. These works have been created to correct for the perspective. This requires the viewer stand at the front of the art piece at the designated view point marked on the pavement. Here is one image of Audrey Hepburn that the artist is completing.
Artist Working On Audrey Hepburn.
Here is one artist, who I have dubbed “The Gatekeeper”, busy at work.
The Gatekeeper, No 1.
Here he is working some fine detail.
The Gatekeeper, No 2.
At last, the artist had to get uP; I could see his face and made this image as he was chatting to a bystander.
The Gatekeeper, No 4.
Checking on the perspective… And some more footwear!
Later in the afternoon, the sun dipped down below the buildings, providing much needed shade for the artists. This is the image of the artists busy with their art works.
Larimer Street, Chalk Artists At Work.
Here are some of the artists with their work.
Larimer Street, Chalk Artist No 1.
This artist was momentarily distracted before returning to his work.
Larimer Street, Chalk Artist No 2.
This image only caught my eye when picking out images to show. The lady in his image appears to be looking directly at the artist as he works on the image
Larimer Street, Chalk Artist No 3.
I made several images of this artist. That wrench behind him had jaws that were gripping the chalk.
Larimer Street, Chalk Artist No 4.
Wrench.
Jaws.
Pretty soon after start to make images of artists and their art on the pavement, one soon becomes aware of all the footwear that spectators are wearing. This one guy was wearing striking red shoes and red pants.
Chalk Arts, Footwear No 1.
One also becomes aware of people’s feet, in the case of these two ladies with open toe shoes.
Chalk Arts, Footwear No 2.
Some kids were also riding electric scooters.
Chalk Arts Footwear, On Scooters.
There was now shortage of food at the venue. Brats and other sausages were arrayed on the grill.
This weekend was the annual Chalk Arts Festival held in Larimer Street and adjacent streets. This artist was working on a piece sponsored by the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 1.
Here is a close-up shot of some of the detail of his image.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 3.
I like to capture some close up images of the artist himself.
Colorado Avalanche, Artist No 2.
The afternoon sun was very strong, that leads to some intense colors and deep shadows.
Chalk Arts, Painting The Detail, Color.
Some boxes full of chalk…
Chalk, In Boxes.
The afternoon sun was shining directly into the street. Also, light was reflected of nearby office building windows. This young lady was obviously feeling the heat, but I could not resist making an image of her pretty face.
Young Artist.
This couple were found taking a break from the sun in the shade.
Taking A Break From The Sun.
Entertainment was provided by a jazz band, “Sol Burial”
Sol Burial, Vocalist.
Their sax player played some really awesome saxophone solos during their final set on the stage.
Sol Burial, Sax Player.
Here is the bass player soloing, while the drummer and sax player look on.
This week, I headed downtown to make some images of the bridges along the South Platte River. After leaving the house, the afternoon storms arrived, bringing rain to the metro area. This made me excited for the opportunity of capturing some stormy weather and perhaps some great light at sunset. Soon after arriving at Union Station, the rain had stopped. This image was made at the Millennium Bridge as I headed towards the river.
Storm Over Millennium Bridge.
Unlike previous trips, I headed north along the river, switching from the left and right river banks. This path was a perfect lead-in to the apartment block in the distance.
Path To Apartment Block.
During the late afternoon, the sun broke through the clouds several times. When making my way to the right bank, the sun lit up this iris that was growing along the riverside
Iris And Bridge Pillar.
There were some interesting bridges, both old and new, that had been constructed over the river. This is bridge “XXXVII”. Was it built in 1937? This bridge had several pillars and carried several pipes across the river.
Bridge XXXVII On The South Platte.
Continuing north, the path passed under this newer bridge, with several large concrete bridge pillars.
Bridge And Blue Sky.
I continued farther for about another half mile or so before heading back, passing under this same bridge again. By this time the storm started moving back again, creating some more interesting skies.
Bridge And Four Lights.
Eventually, I got back near Riverfront Park, where I stopped at the skateboard park to make this image.
Bowl In Skateboard Park.
I noticed the stone construction, that I discovered was called “Common Grounds”. In this image, several young ladies had met at the bottom of the steps.
Visitors At Common Grounds.
A few minutes later, the sun came out again, lighting up the wall. The contrast of the sunlit wall against the stormy sky resulted in a spectacular image.
Sunset And Storm At Common Grounds.
Soon after arriving at Union Station, the sun had set behind the clouds for the rest of the evening. Checking with my phone, I discovered that I had walked some 5-1/2 miles along the river! Watching the late news, we discovered that the storm had caused extensive rain and hail storms, with five tornadoes in the eastern plains.
Continuing from the abandoned farmhouse, I headed farther east until I reached the town of Agate. Outside the town is an abandoned grain elevator that I previously visited, but later in the summer months.
Abandoned Grain Elevator.
There are several steel grain silos at this site. One can create interesting images with overlapping layers, as in this composition.
Grain Silo Ribbing.
Here is another grain elevator image.
Abandoned Grain Elevator, No 2.
Here is another image of overlapping silos, with bright springtime grasses
Grain Silos, Bushes And Grasses.
There is also a green tank close by. Don’t know what it use it served. However, the rust and that red valve creates a great color contrast.
Green Tank And Valve.
Finally, I made the following image of the older concrete grain silos. While making images at this location, several pigeons flew out of these buildings; they had made the buildings their home.
Concrete Grain Silos, Agate.
Leaving Agate, I headed back west towards home, along several dirt roads that crisscross the eastern plains. Along one of these roads I stopped to make some images at this pond at the roadside.
Reflections And Grasses In A Ranch Pond.
The grasses floating on the surface of the pond complement the reflections of the trees in the water.
