2010 Pine Beetle Update

The Pine beetle infestation is actually past its peak now.  But that means we have lots of Lodge Pole Pines to cut down for fire prevention.

Rollins Pass is above Winter Park, which was devastated by the Beetle.  On our late summer trip there we saw many areas clear cut of the dead forest

End of Year Updates: Bristlecones of Argentine Pass Part II

This is the Bristlecone that was alive last year; the one I went back to photograph. As you can see the Pine Beetle has killed this fine old tree.












This close-up of another tree trunk shows the damage........















We need a cold moist winter in the high mountains to save these trees. Last winter was too warm......This is the result.

Bristlecones, Douglas Furs and Ponderosa Pines usually do not fall victim to the Pine Beetle... They are all dying off, albeit slower than the Lodge Pole Pines that are the usual feast for the Beetle.

Do we have Global Warming to thank for this?

End of Year Updates: Bristlecones at Argentine Pass

For December I will be tying up some loose ends from the Summer.

I returned to Argentine Pass to photograph a grove of Bristlecone Pines. I had seen this one spectacular example in 2008, but it was late and the lighting was bad.......


So I returned this year looking for that particular tree. I'll talk more about that tomorrow.









First dusting of snow in early October visible on the peaks in the background.














All taken with the Mamiya 645 using the 45mm wide angle lens and Ilford Iso 400 film.

We’re not Dead Yet! Say the St Mary’s Bristlecones

Contrary to what we were told at Mt. Goliath a few weeks ago, the St Mary’s Bristlecones are battered but not quite defeated. You can clearly see, though, that they’ve had a rough winter. From what I can see, I’d estimate a 25-30% die off. You see the dead ones immediately as you arrive at the lake. But if you go to the west side of the St Mary’s Lake, there are live and so far, thriving Bristlecones, and above the cirque a few more. One more warm winter could place the remaining forest in danger.


Film: Ilford ISO 100
Camera: Mamiya 6X6 Rangefinder

Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pines.........Going, Going, Gone?

Last weekend we made our first trip up Mt Evans, one of the best places to photograph the Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine. This particular pine is one of the Icons of the Mt Evans/Mt Goliath Forest. Now, however, the Pine Beetle is threatening to wipe out the entire Front Range Population. We were told at the Mt Goliath Visitor's Center that one population in the Front Range, at St Marys, had already fallen victim to the beetle. Some of the tress at Mt Goliath weren't looking too good either. Bristlecones thrive on harsh weather. In fact the Rocky Mountain variety only lives about half as long as the White Mountain population because the climate here isn't harsh enough! Milder climate equals faster growth, equals shorter lifespan. This winter was really mild, keeping the beetle alive, and making the Bristlecones more susceptible. Another victim, perhaps, of Global Climate Change?

I call these the 'Three Sisters". They are not located at Mt Goliath, but at a location I will not disclose for their own protection. Unfortunately there are a lot of disrespectful people who vandalize these trees and other types of natural and historic sites in the mountains.

Film: Ilford ISO 400, my favorite B&W film. Available from my B&W film and darkroom supplier Freestyle Photo.





These Ancient Forest Portraits were taken with my Mamiya 645 Pro TL (shown right, with Don's Mamiya Pro on left), with a 45mm Mamiya Secor C f2.8 wide angle lens.

Meet the Mamiya 6X6

I am starting my camera introductions with the Rangefinders:

Meet the Mamiya 6X6 medium format Rangefinder. This is my current favorite for day hikes. I have 50mm and 150mm lenses and a sturdy monopod to round out my equipment for hiking.





To the left is a photograph made with the Mamiya 6 at The Colorado State Forest showing the devastating affects of the Pine Beetle.

Yes the image has been cropped. Taken with Kodak GX Film, which is my favorite color transparency film. When they stop making it, I'll stop shooting color. I'm just not happy with the color balance of the Fuji transparency films.