RMNP Reflections

I think I like images that include reflections because I am a reflector. I reflect back on life, the lessons learned, and the memories the image create. In my most recent book, Mentors and Influences: Fun Tales and the Transformational Impact of Lessons Learned in Life released on August 12 (Amazon.com), I reflect on the lessons learned through my life’s journey.

Those life reflections are important to me because with each I have learned and grown developing as a person. I think that is why some of my favorite photographs are images from RMNP capturing a reflection. I appreciate the perfection of a mirrored image showing what life really looks like. 

Recently, as I stood above Sheep Lakes in RMNP, I watched three large bull moose grazing across the meadow of Horseshoe Park. My hope was they would come to the lake, and I would capture the moment as all three stepped into the early morning water with a clear reflection. 

Alas, apparently, I have to train my moose better. After waiting half an hour, one moose started the trek across the meadow. Excited, I stepped behind my tripod waiting for the moose to reach the lake, feeling confident the other two would follow closely behind. But the other two moose were happy right where they were, grazing among the willows.

Still, the one moose crossed Horseshoe Park meadow with a determination to feed on the aqua grass growing from the bottom of Sheep Lakes. I stood behind my camera with the 600 mm lens atop the tripod and waited. At the moment when the moose began to enter the lake, he created slight ripples. That’s when I captured the reflecting image I sought.

So often, our RMNP lakes provide reflections. In the fall when the leaves are changing, the Aspen colors are bright both on the hillside and in the calm waters of Bear Lake. Once on a spring morning at Sheep Lakes, the reflection created an up-side-down dynamic of the hillside pines in the water. Thinking it was an interesting shot, a young bull moose wandered into the viewfinder’s frame creating a melancholy highlight.

One reflection image I really worked for was of Dream Lake. It is like a dream when at sunrise the sun strikes the backdrop of Hallet’s Peak creating a terracotta alpenglow. The mountain brightens, the greens of the trees begin to pop, and the reflection is magnificent.

Three different mornings, I left Bear Lake long before sunrise, hiking in the dark with a headlamp strapped to my forehead guiding the way to Dream Lake. The first two mornings, as I waited for the sun to crest from the distant eastern prairie, I knew it would be incredible but not a reflection. The slight ripples of the water left it beautiful, but not the mirrored image I sought.

Then on the third attempt, as I reached the edge of Dream Lake the air was still. In the hint of morning light, I could see the reflection of Hallet’s Peak in the water. I knew, if the wind would stay quiet for a little longer, the reflection would be amazing.