The Short Of Things

A Lone Ponderosa on a hillside just east of the Flatirons and Boulder, Colorado
The prevailing winds have helped shape this tree into a boot like shape. This tree is often subjected to very high winds from the west and south during the winter months. This Ponderosa leads a difficult exsistence on the side of this hill just east of Boulder, Colorado. It still manages to survive and endure which is both motivating and impressive. I've been meaning to get out to this spot for some time to photograph this tree and Sunday's sunrise provided the perfect backdrop to frame the tree and The Flatirons. Technical Details: Canon Eos 1Ds III, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L II(which is still working great after it's 10 minute bath in a stream a few weeks back at Black Lake!)
Unfortunately for me I’ve got some personal commitments over the course of the next few weeks that will keep me from being able to get up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Luckily for me, there lot’s of good stuff to photograph closer to home in and around Boulder. On top of that I’ll be heading back to New York for some time at the beach with family. While I wont be trouncing around Rocky in the middle of the night waiting for sunrise, I should be able to break out the cameras and get some photography done.

I’ve been eyeing this particular location and tree from sometime. You can see this tree from Highway 93 just south of Boulder on Boulder County Open Space property. This tree has a commanding view of the Flatirons and I’ve driven by it on countless occasions making a mental note that I have to hike in and check it out one day.

Sunday’s sunrise looked very promising so I decided it would be a good time to hike in and photograph this tree. This Ponderosa sits on a hilltop all alone. This tree leads a difficult existence on the top of this hillside. This may be the windiest spot in all of Boulder, and the shape and form the tree has taken is a testament to that.

During the winter months in particular, downsloping winds off the continental divide are funneled out of Eldorado Canyon, roaring out onto the high plains. It’s not uncommon for winds to reach 80-85mph in this location and speeds have been recorded in excess of 100 mph.

All the while this lone Ponderosa persists. It persists through the hot and dry summer months, just as it does through the hurricane force winds common in the winter months. It’s certainly not the biggest specimen, but the fact that it’s endured the harsh conditions from seedling to its present state is impressive.

This tree’s story and it’s ability to endure tough conditions draw me in to photograph it. Getting such a beautiful sunrise is just icing on the cake. I’ll be back to photograph this tree again, I’ll just have to pass on those winter days when it’s a bit ‘breezy’ on this side of town.

2 thoughts on “The Short Of Things”

  1. I’ve eyed this exact tree for quite some time. Very nice. There is another small trio of trees that I’ve been eyeing close to this that would make a great composition near 93 too but on the other side. Never come by it on the right time though.

    1. Jao,

      I think I know of the three tree’s your speaking about as well and I believe I could see them on the other side of the highway when I was shooting this. I’m usually driving by this location at a pretty good rate of speed so sometimes things look better from a speeding car than they are on foot. I love this area dotted with a trees in different shapes and sizes. The problem I find is that when I finally get to one that looks good, it’s not quite the view I expected or the composition is not as clean as it looked from afar.

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