Third rifle season finally is over in Colorado.
I think it’s not an understatement or anthropomorphism to say that I and the animals (of all species) are in a state of relief. Interestingly, I think the hordes were fewer this year, and while I think most were well-behaved (and I met and talked to a few very nice individual hunters – including a very friendly young man from Oregon), there was at least one instance (relayed to me by a hunter who witnessed it from quite a distance and up a ridge away) of shooting from the road (totally illegal), possibly after the 30-minutes-after-sunset rule, onto private property (which may or may not have been properly noted as such on their OnX map apps).
I witnessed at least two hunters leaving their camp well past 30 minutes after sunset to go … somewhere? And when starting to head out of the basin one night after sunset, from deep-east in the basin, was passed by two hunters going even DEEPER into the basin. Flouting the rules?! Draw your own conclusion.
The horses have been nervous to the rifle shots and accompanying echoes, which caused everything from startling in place to taking off running en masse.
Relief? Huge.
There’s still fourth season, which starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday (blessedly short), but we rarely get hunters during that season – and not the camping-here, driving-up-and-down-the-road-from-5:14 a.m.-to-well-after-dark (I lose track) hunters that third season is (in)famous for hosting.
Early Friday morning, I saw subtle color in the scudding clouds in the southeastern sky and decided to see what was happening (let alone keep an eye out for any nefariousness). … That subtle color had faded to grey by the time I got out on the road. … But then … starting with just a couple of bands of flame above the horizon … THE LIGHT EXPLODED.
And behind me to the west:
There was quite a lot of distortion as the moon sank – quite unlike the sharp views when it rises? – but take my word for the marvelousity (kinda like gorgeousity – all phenomenal!).
My big camera and long lens simply can’t take it all in, so I switched to my phone. In the foreground is Disappointment Road heading southeast. Visible in the distance are Temple Butte and Brumley Point.
Presented in the order in which they were taken. I know they all look similar … but the sky went from spectacular to SPECTACULAR, and show me a photographer who can *stop* taking pix of a such a scene (you can’t, and we certainly can’t).
Bear with me (because you know there’s more).
Continuing in order … looking a bit more to the east (left). I laid down in the middle of the road to take this one, something I’d never have done at the height of the hunting season.
Meanwhile, what was happening behind me, where the moon had already set?
More gorgeousity! Looking northwest to Utah’s La Sal Mountains.
Back to the southeast … starting to see a different color hue as the Earth continued its rotation and the sun edged closer to its morning debut.
Clouds and light and land to the southwest, where the moon set before the colors took off (darnit!).
One more of our beloved horizon mountains.
Apologies to sailors for swapping words to the usual rhyme. 🙂 (Not really.) It WAS very windy, which I imagine wouldn’t be so fun if you had to row against it or sail with it propelling you away from your destination. But wow. I hope many, many photography-minded and beauty-loving people stopped what they were doing and admired the sunrise yesterday.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Absolutely glorious, TJ
Also so glad for yours and the horses sakes – that THIS phase of hunting season is done – hope the last one goes as “well”.
Me, too. Lots of people leaving today, so that’s an even bigger relief. I always go around to all the camps (that I know about) and do a sweep of any trash left behind. Most are pretty good, but I almost always find a use for the trash bag I take.
Stunning. That’s the word. Stunning photos – and colors – one after the other. I can’t believe all those sunrise color changes – firey oranges and pinks and pastel mauve and blues. Quite the show to herald the arrival of a new day in your little piece of heaven. And so glad that the third hunting season is over, TJ! Just one to go. I can imagine the collective sigh of relief out there…among all living things.
It was insane. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was that I was out there are just the right time – from the *subtle* color that first appeared. 🙂 Very relieved. People still leaving and even people just driving around looking (I hope?!).
WOW! There are no words to describe how beautiful these pictures are!
Reality was even better! Though I didn’t do anything to these photos except size and sharpen. 🙂 Magnificent!
Like Sue said- that stunning sunrise must be a sign of peace in the basin again ! Your first photo is more like a painting ! What a treat to witness that sunrise and capture to share. OK, OK, I’ll make a point of catching more sunrises ! It might be just waht the doctor ordered in these trying times.
Ha! I know, right? I’m not a morning person (though I’m forced to be during hunting season because they all go roaring by at o’ dark-thirty), but I thought the same thing: I should get out more in the mornings. 🙂 And yes … we all need the natural beauty now more than ever.
WOW! I would have sat and watched for as long as I could.
We were covered in clouds, couldn’t see the sun rise or set. Even got some rain. (yea)
I did stay out there absolutely until the color was faded. 🙂 Mother Nature put on a show, and I didn’t want to miss any of it! Glad you got a little rain!! I’m always grateful for clouds, too, whether they bring rain or not! I’m glad yours delivered some moisture. 🙂
It’s terrib
The hunting stuff? Yes. I think most hunters are ethical, but some just aren’t.