Evenings at elevation

Some photos from a couple of evenings at 12,000 feet.

The video above is a time lapse sequence with frames captured every 30 seconds between about 5:30 and 7:30 PM.

The sun sets over Mt. Cirrus in the Gore Range, about 50 miles away.

The sun sets over Mt. Cirrus in the Gore Range, about 50 miles away.

The setting sun reflects light off the underside of the clouds.  Gore range in the distance.

The setting sun reflects light off the underside of the clouds.  Gore range in the distance.

Thunderstorms move out over the plains towards Loveland, Colorado.

Thunderstorms move out over the plains towards Loveland, Colorado.

Distant clouds are lit by a lightning bolt.

Distant clouds are lit by a lightning bolt.

Mushroom rocks, formed when erosion occurs more rapidly on a softer layer of rock that lies underneath a harder top layer.

Mushroom rocks, formed when erosion occurs more rapidly on a softer layer of rock that lies underneath a harder top layer.

Not too much light pollution, so the Milky Way is clearly visible after dark.

Not too much light pollution, so the Milky Way is clearly visible after dark.

A few additional photos from 27 September:

The moon sets behind the clouds at right, and the stars come out.

The moon sets behind the clouds at right, and the stars come out.

The Milky Way behind mushroom rocks.

The Milky Way behind mushroom rocks.