Painted Dunes by James and Kelly Stone

Sunday, 16th November 2008

Painted Dunes

by James and Kelly Stone

A grueling 750 foot steep incline hike to the top of Cinder Cone in Lassen Volcanic National Park awaits a breathtaking view. Painted Dunes is different color layers of volcanic ash that deposited 250 years ago from an eruption atop Cinder Cone.

Equipment: Olympus E500

James and Kelly Stone

We have a passion for photography and an appreciation for the beautiful outdoors. Our goal is to preserve this rapidly changing Earth with our images. To capture the fleeting moments of time, which affects all landscapes. And to present our perception of nature’s variety of shades. We strive to create visual flavor for the palette of one’s eye.

http://www.jellystonephotography.com

22 Comments

Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 5:22 am
You have really captured a perfect example of the diversity of colors and textures Mother Nature has to offer us. Great POTD! Thanks for providing this bird’s eye view.
Su Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 9:30 am
This looks surreal and alien! First thought.. I didnt like it but then it kind of grabs you, nature trying to overcome the effects of the volcano.
Keith C Towers Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Your gruelling hike goes to show that as photographers we always have to put in some hard work to get the best shot. And it has certainly paid off for you this time. Not only is this shot a stunner, you were fortunate enough to witness the scene first-hand and share it with us.
Malta Photography Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 10:45 am
great shot even though as Su said it kind of looks a little surreal but then it captures you because it is a balanced shot. nice
Pauline Jones Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I love the subtle colors going from warm to cold; thanks for sharing.
Alex Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Nice and original shot. I would have cut the upper part of the landscape that is not very meaningful.
boutillot-cauquil Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:43 am
J’ADORRRE
Derek Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
A nice postcard image. I would crop the top as well as it adds nothing to the shot.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
It’s amazing how the trees can replenish through the ash! Lovely image.
Kirk Jordan Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I think the top (deepest back) is important to the story line of the photo. It shows what the land must have looked like before the erruption.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Thanks, Kirk! This photo is a time capsule that tells the story of the tenacity of life, and without the pristine forest and the interceding lava bed, the full story would be lost. But the best part of POTD is that each viewer looks at the same photo and sees something different. One person’s ‘trite postcard pic’ is counter-balanced by another’s ‘too messy leaf-strewn brook’. All these various points-of-view (mental and pictorial) are amazing. Isn’t diversity wonderful? Earth Shots is my favorite site–the perfect blend of art and intellect. Thanks to all of you for broadening my horizons.
Dennis Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Nice juxtaposition of environments, color and texture!
Julia A. Richman Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Profound! Surreal! Great POTD. Also, I, as well, totally, without a shadow of a doubt, agree with Katherine Lee Strassburg’s, from the heart, comments. Earth Shots surely “broaden my horizons. We are all so very blessed:)-
James and Kelly Stone Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
To all, thank you for taking the time to comment on our photo. We do sometimes get suggestions to crop the top, but we feel it goes perfectly with the photo. Yes, Katherine, the diversity here is nice and thank you for your resubmission. Yes Kirk, and thank you, as it not only shows what it looked like before, but also that life is able to reproduce itself after the devastation of a volcano. IF (and thats a big IF :-0) we did this climb again and captured this photo, I would not change a thing or crop a thing. Again, thanks to all! Blessings, James and Kelly
ollie Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
incredible photo. at first i thought the dark lines dividing the colors were clouds. I know really want to see this in person.
Anurag Says:
November 17th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Beautiful indeed. I specially like the horshoe shape formed by the gray ash and how the volcanic ash resembles shadows formed by clouds, in fact that is what I thought it was before I read the description. I also like the cool tones of the background
Sue Gagnon Says:
November 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
It looks like God, or whomever it is you deem to call your creator, took a paintbrush and decided to slash therein dark hues of red, painting willy-nilly across the canvas.
Stephen Oachs Says:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
This is really lovely and the title is so fitting to the scene.
mike Says:
September 24th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Never seen nothing like that.
Su Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am
nature at its best congrats
Rajib Singha Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Fruits of labor is always sweet. Congrats!
Renee Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
wow, looks so unreal! congrats!