Garden of the Gods - A Stormy Day

Colorado CJ

I visited the Garden of the Gods today for some hiking and photography. It was a windy, cold, stormy day, but I think I got a few keepers . I was going to stay until sunset, but it started snowing pretty hard, so I left before then.

If any of you have a chance to visit Garden of the Gods, I REALLY recommend you do, AND BRING A CAMERA . It is a great area for photography and there are many great trails in the area. Even when the weather turns for the worst, there are still great things to photograph.

All landscapes were taken with either the SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 or the Super Takumar 28mm F3.5. The deer photos were taken with my Tele-Takumar 200mm F5.6 Preset. I also used a tripod for the first time with these photos. I've heard that using a tripod for landscapes is the way to go, and after today, I think they are right. For those interested, it is a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT. My new (to me) K20D had the honors of shooting for today as it was snowing/raining and I didn't want to use my Kx. I'm REALLY starting to like the K20D.

Well enough talk, here are the photos.


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-4 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-1 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-2 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-3 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-5 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-6 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-7 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-8 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-9 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-10 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-11 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr


Garden-of-the-Gods-15-Apr-2012-12 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

David_S85

Nice pics, all of them. I agree, it is a special place to shoot, when not too crowded. It was years before I learned that GOTG is not a state park, but a city park of Colorado Springs. Did you catch a glimpse of anyone climbing the spires?

Cornflake

Gorgeous place. Fine work.

kdog

Beautiful images of some terrific scenery, CJ. The second to last one would have been better had you not clipped the deer's feet. Really great work all the way around though. Would you believe I once stayed in Colorado Springs for an entire month and never made it there. I did climb Pikes Peak though.

NedZ

GOTG is a magnificent place, as your pictures are. Great work.