Tag Archives: Snow

Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – SPRAGUE LAKE #COLORADO #RMNP

Image January 22, 2021 Dan Traun

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – SPRAGUE LAKE

Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff. The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake is popular for Brook trout fishing.

The area is named after Abner Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874. Later, he opened a lodge for dude ranching, hunting, and fishing. To improve the fishing, he dammed the far end of the lake. The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and continued to serve guests as the Sprague Hotel. In 1919, guests paid $6.00 per room with a private bath, and $1.00 for regular meals. The hotel, which no longer exists, stood near the present-day parking lot.
~Wikipedia

Sprague Lake Loop – rockymountainhikingtrails.com

Our recent visit in September 2020 was not typically. Wildfires were burning in several areas across Colorado; including in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). We were in Denver a few days prior waiting on the snow storm to roll in an hopefully dampen the fire some. I think it helped, but no near enough. We were not entirely sure we would be able to enter the park as result.

My wife and I really enjoy our visits to Colorado. We are fond of RMNP and the Sprag ue Lake area. Since being married here in 2013, we make every effort to return whenever in the area. This last trip wasn’t all that different than the November day in 2013 when we both said “I do.” There was more snow this time and the

lake wasn’t frozen over. The trail around the lake is very easy to navigate and the views are beautiful; even with the clouds obscuring the view of the mountains.

Drone, Nature, Panorama, Photography

SEASONAL HUES | BROWNS & BLUES – Pine Creek, Maiden Rock, WI

Image March 14, 2020 Dan Traun 4 Comments

SEASONAL HUES | BROWNS & BLUES

Pine Creek, view from Lake Pepin

Ice breaking up

Railroad Trestle from above

Pine Creek, Valley View

Lake Pepin view from Pine Creek valley

Photography

DUST IN THE WIND – Minnesota/Wisconsin #dust

Image April 11, 2019 Dan Traun 1 Comment

DUST IN THE WIND

The weather on Wednesday afternoon (4/10) into Thursday (4/11) across Minnesota was terrible. There was some dust in the wind that brought this lovely weather our way.

My normal community route, Hwy 52 North this a.m. Glad I stayed home

While out snow-blowing, shoveling this a.m.; when I was out for a short drive this afternoon as well, I noticed that the snow and sleet had a different hue to it. This is why. Dust updraft from West TX and Southeast New Mexico made its way into the snow/sleet that fell overnight here in the upper Midwest. Now that is some dust in the wind!

#GOES16 Split Window (10.3-12.3 µm) brightness temperature difference showing one the more impressive blowing #dust signatures I've seen in a long while: https://t.co/TuyV7GQVuz pic.twitter.com/v7YETnyd8g

— Scott Bachmeier (@CIMSS_Satellite) April 11, 2019

You can plainly see the difference in hue of the dust in these images taken this afternoon.

DUST IN THE WIND — The color difference is subtle, but you can still see it.

Dust in the Wind 😀

Drone, Panorama, Photography, Steam-scapes

RETURN TO PINE CREEK – Maiden Rock, WI #aerialphotography

Image March 23, 2019 Dan Traun

RETURN TO PINE CREEK

A return to Pine Creek this last Thursday evening produced some nice light. I have hoped to capture a decent sunset panorama in the valley – a mix of color and clouds, but no luck yet. The weekends in March haven’t yielded such a situation. It was better than total gray like previous visits. The melt has been on and the water is high again.

Pine Creek meets the Mississippi River

2019-03-17

Panoramas from a previous trip; you can see how high the water was.

2019-03-02

PINE CREEK PANOS – Maiden Rock, WI #aerialphotography |

Drone, Panorama, Photography, Steam-scapes

PINE CREEK PANOS – Maiden Rock, WI #aerialphotography

Image March 2, 2019 Dan Traun 5 Comments

PINE CREEK PANOS

I’ve been waiting for the month of March to get here to create some Pine Creek Panos. The sun sets for the entire month over Frontenac State Park; it lines up perfectly with the valley that Pine Creek emanates from.

The first attempt at capturing an aerial sunset from this valley was cloudy unfortunately. Hopefully one weekend this March will yield some amazing color.

This is a really beautiful spot. A very picturesque valley. I am looking forward to capturing more seasons from here.

Drone, Panorama, Photography, River-scapes

BEFORE THE STORMS COME – Hager City, WI #lovelyafternoon

Image February 23, 2019 Dan Traun 1 Comment

BEFORE THE STORMS COME

Another finally Friday; the work week is done. I look forward to the weekends and photography sunrise/sunset. However, the forecast for this weekend looks like total crap. Freezing rain, snow, high winds – blizzard warning oh my. A recipe for a Netflix binge no doubt. I took advantage of the nice weather Friday afternoon before the storms come. It was nice to get out and fly.

First Stop

I didn’t venture too far; just across the Mississippi River from Red Wing into Wisconsin. My first stop was Pucketville right next to the Harbor Bar. There is a nice view of Red Wing from there and the Jamaican Jerk cuisine is fantastic.

Red Wing Riverfront

Red Wing Bridge Construction

Harbor Bar 360 Sphere

Red Wing Boat Houses

Second Stop

I wanted to get a shot of the Trimbelle River tail waters, but wasn’t able to get a close enough. It is a bit difficult to see, but it is out in the distance about center frame. You can see the bridge over the Trimbelle River on Hwy 35 or the right side of the frame. I will have to dress appropriately next time and go for a hike. The patches of evergreens are interesting. A few hundred feet up sure offers a different perspective.

Third Stop

I drove around a bit more until I found myself near the gravel pit on Cty Rd VV. This area looked pretty interesting while hovering over the bluff tops. The exposed rock from the gravel pit, the road through the valley and if you look closely, you’ll see the little town of Hager City, WI in the middle of the frame.