I lensed this image of the Piedra River Pass while traversing the wilderness between Durango and Alamosa Colorado in mid winter. Shooting through an open window in sub zero temperature is quite an experience!
Also known as El Rio De La Piedra, Parada, Pedra, Rio, and Rio Piedre, this now frozen high mountain river drains parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, and Mineral counties along a length of almost 40 miles (64 km). Flowing down through a series of isolated box canyons, it empties into the San Juan River at Navajo Lake. Its name stems from the Spanish word, piedra, meaning rock. The headwaters drain from the Continental Divide in the Weminuche Wilderness.
(Research Source)
The Piedra River area is a wonderful place to spend your weekend hiking. With an abundance of trout and trout lies, you can fish all day and cover only a mile of stream. Over three dozen bird species live along the river and marmots hide in the rocks.
Bear sign is common here, so it is wise to be aware and cautious. However, the East Fork of the Piedra is virtually inaccessible, flowing through a thick forest with little to no trails above Piedra Falls, most of the stream lies in rugged canyons in the wilderness. This river is a favorite for fly fishing enthusiasts and is known for its large population of trout; browns, rainbows, and cutbows, with many fish in the 12- to 14-inch class.
(Research Source)
This image is from my project "Where Eagles Fly".
About The Project
Where Eagles Fly - The American Wilderness Expedition is my personal mission to introduce people to these amazing locations that surround us. I am piloting a bush plane while exploring and filming throughout the remote back-country areas of North America to raise awareness of the 47% of the USA and 90% of Canada that remain unpopulated wilderness.
About The Author
My name is Zedekiah Morse and I'm a Bush Pilot, Photographer, Explorer and Filmmaker. I live in the Rocky Mountains and devote my time and resources to exploring as much of the world as I can by air. If you wish to watch a short film detailing how I do my work and this project, go here.
If you like what you see here upvote and resteemit so that others may experience these wondrous places.
And if you'd like these images to be part of your feed, follow me.
Thanks for your support and Yehaw!!
this is a very beautiful photo taken from the air.
Thank you Jason! It was really cool flying there.
yes, I really like to fly like you and want to take pictures from outside.
but to me it seemed impossible, because I could not possibly be able to get on the plane, to eat our family just enough nothing more.
This is an awesome photography. Its really amazing photo and also creative art. I really impressed your photography.
Thank you Radoyan, I appreciate that.
Solid post, well written. Nice photography as well, very good composition showing the beauty of the landscape :)
Thank you sir, very nice of you to take time to comment.
Wow ! extraordinary photography
Beautiful pictures thank you..Greets
as a photographer i can say this is very good work!
Thanks for saying that! I appreciate it.
wow Photography so good friends I really like your photo fan photo it also has a very interesting color is also cool
really as you say, this is a very beautiful scenery,
are there many predators in there ??
Sure, mountain lions, black bear, birds of prey and the normal critters. I love flying there... it is nice in the photo but when you are totally surrounded by it the feeling is incredible!
You said you took the picture out the window in sub-zero temperatures... how do you stay warm? Do you have a heater blasting the whole time? Do you have to wear a puffy jacket (or two)?!
Good question. I have a heater in the forward firewall that separates the cockpit from the engine compartment. And there is a manifold ducting that surrounds the exhaust system which takes the heat generated by the engine and funnels it back into the cockpit. So it remains relatively warm. Plus I am dressed for it with the correct type of clothing and gloves. No puffy jacket though as that would be too cumbersome and restrictive for being able to twist around in the cockpit to take photos.
Good to know on the puffy jacket. At least the engine keeps you warm. Hopefully it doesn't funnel the exhaust back there too, or you could go loopy. Ha ha. :)
Very good.....??
thank you for your post is very good and success continues
Oh man! I never knew 90% of Canada is still unpopulated wilderness. ;o Sounds like a country of my dreams. :)
yes sir!!!! I agree