Sunset on the Sangres

36 x 48

 

The central section of the Sangre de Cristos has always been a visual treat. Late afternoon sun in the Fall on the Sangres is an unparralleled view in the West, at least to my eyes.

I had spent many days over many years exploring the "dry" lakes on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley and ventured into a new area in the fall of 93. I came upon a series of ponds and sloughs that were ripe with life, both aquatic and on land. I found one magnificent herd of elk, shepherded by an impressive bull.

I was stealthing along the edge of a lake so as not to disturb the waterfowl when I came upon a cow elk with calf. We stared at each other and froze while a small group of other elk behind the pond trotted off around a dune. The cow and calf then took off. I gave it a couple of beats and then followed to where they had gone and scrambled up to the top of the dune. It could'nt have been more than a couple of minutes since they had gone out of sight and yet they were at least a quarter of a mile away. And staring back at me was the large bull elk who had placed himself between me and the rest of his herd.

He was not real close but close enough to give me pause. I was well exposed with nothing around but chicos and was a little fearful about the big bull that was staring at me with purposeful intensity. So I slunk back over the dune and wound my way back to my waiting easel.