Each year, in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Windland Smith Rice International Awards are presented to America’s best nature photographers. This year Colorado’s own Nate Zeman, a resident of Breckenridge, was honored when his “Dawn of Winter” was named Highly Honored Winner. Category and Highly Honored Winners will be on display at the Smithsonian as large-format prints and accompanying HD videos on large-screen TVs. Winners are also featured in Nature’s Best Photography Magazine.
Zeman’s photograph, shot in mid-October, shows a bull elk and his harem grazing along the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak rises in the background. Click it to view on black background.
Congratulations, Nate Zeman.
Stunning shot. Wish I had been there…
In the past I’ve made it to some locations like this, but never with the gear (or skill!) needed to bring home a great image and never at an opportune time of day. I deeply appreciate the effort it takes for professional photographers to capture images like this for people like me to enjoy.
I am often out walking my dog at those hours. But, as you, without the proper equipment and almost never in such amazing locations. I usually get to the ridge or view point at about lunch time. :/
Yep, midday for me too. The worst light of the day for good photos. But I gave up on photos years ago. The emulsion of the mind — that’s where the greatest scenes are captured.
Hi PT! In awe of the talent from your CO/RMNP pro photographers. Messrs Zeman, Stensland, Mammoser, Frank, and Hester are my favs… so far. To be honest, it is almost impossible to take a bad photo in CO! This shot seems to be taken from TR, between Forest Canyon and Rock Cut– so “all” you need to do is be up there waiting for sunrise or sunset or a good cloudy day, hoping the elk or sheep cooperate, and you can have one, too 🙂
I don’t recognize a couple of those names. You can bet I’ll be looking them up. Yes, this shot looks like somewhere along or near Trail Ridge (bless the visionaries who built that road and gave such vistas to the masses). I’ve rarely been up there as early as sunrise, and have always headed down before sunset since I don’t drive after dark. If vision weren’t a problem, I’d be in the high country a lot after dark just to see the stars. TR must be spectacular on a clear night.
Utterly breathtaking.
Perhaps no more so than your beautiful Oregon coast. Nature has many faces.
The sea seems to speak to my soul, but I fell in love with the Rockies during the 14 years I lived south of SLC. Both sea and mountains offer something that touches deep down if you’re open to it.
Yes, I regret I’ve had so little opportunity to experience our coasts. I’ve never lived near them and for vacations I’ve always opted for the mountains. Lucky you. You have both.
wonderful!!!
Reblogged this on The Sands of Saudi and commented:
I was just looking through some blogs that I’m following and saw this posted this morning. I spent 15 minutes looking at it and imagining what it was like that morning. I spend some time every day thinking about all the places that I haven’t visited in the States and have come to realize what a wonderful resource we have, and most is right there in our backyard. You don’t have to come to Saudi to see something different, just drive a few miles from your house and, if you’re sensitive, nature will reward you! I hope you enjoy your day!!
You’ve reminded me how lucky I am to have this vista within 3 hours of my home and accessible by car. It’s well worth the trip, and I should go more often.
wow, this shot is overwhelmingly beautiful ) you are quick lucky to live where you do, so much beauty and so close
Only took me about 65 years to get here. But better late than never.