June 24, 2015

Photo of the Week - Sunrise at Oxbow Bend





Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Photographers from around the world visit Oxbow Bend, a scenic overlook of the Snake River. Mount Moran commands center stage of the mountain landscape at this famed location. To possibly capture a sunrise shot here, serious photographers leave the comfort of their motels in Jackson about an hour before sunrise. Unfortunately, the weather usually doesn’t cooperate for a beautiful sunrise shot. The conditions have to be just right. 

I was one of a couple of photographers who braved 30-degree temperatures and dressed out in winter jackets and gloves to ward off the early spring chill. We were holding vigil and gambling that a beautiful sunrise would materialize. God was smiling down on us one morning and rewarded our efforts. For good measure, there was even a tender, wispy ribbon of a cloud that draped across the mountain range. The brilliant color show only lasted a few short minutes, and then a cloud cover extinguished the rays from the rising sun. If you weren’t set up with your camera and tripod and had all of your settings ready to go, the time would have been too short. It happened that fast.

And, it was glorious! It had to be one of the most beautiful sunrise scenes I have ever witnessed in my life. That early alarm clock setting was worth it a million times over!


20 comments:

  1. Majestic! Looks like a painting. What a concept...to be ready in advance. Hmmm...this has the gears turning.

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  2. Awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip.

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  3. My heavens. What a stunning scene, masterfully captured!!

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  4. Absolutely Stunning!! SO worth the wait Donna!!
    What a thrill to see the finish photo...
    Hug hugs!

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  5. Oh that is spectacular! So worth all the prep and early rise...

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  6. WOW! It certainly was worth the early morning! And of course, you perfected the photo of it! Love it!!!

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  7. Absolutely beautiful and worth the extra effort!

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  8. Wow, what a stunning shot, Donna. I've always said photographers must have a lot of patience.

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  9. That is STUNNING! You are so gifted Donna!

    Thank you for sharing that photo with us!

    Deanna

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  10. My breath caught as I scrolled down and saw this photo. What a gorgeous, gorgeous shot, Donna. The result made getting up early well worth it.

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  11. I can only imagine how breathtakingly beautiful this was in person and you sure did a wonderful job capturing the moment! One moment in time...

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  12. That is truly a glorious sunrise! I'm glad you were up and at it early to catch it.

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  13. Unbelievable. Yep, I think I'm speechless.

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  14. It's beautiful. Hanging out in 30 degree weather would be worth it for a sight like that

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  15. I would have gotten up and braved the cold to see - and photograph - that! WOW! What a gorgeous place.
    ~Adrienne~

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  16. LOVE! So much.
    Gorgeous photo, and with your finished touch, outstanding.
    You are so talented, Donna. :)
    xoxo

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!