Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: Sand Dunes and San Luis Lakes State Park, Alamosa, Colorado-Part 1.

"X Shot" information.

Camera - Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ISO - 400

Shutter - 1/250 sec.

F/stop - 16

Lens - 70/200 zoom

LOCATION.

1. Great Sand Dune National Park is a four hour drive from Denver.

2. San Luis Lakes State Park is 15 minutes west of the dunes.

3. There is camping or lodging is available in Alamosa, half hour south.

4. Spring is a good time to visit the dunes, the sand is not real hot yet but Medano Creek is flowing.

THE CHALLENGE.

Arriving at The Great Sand Dunes National Park, the weather was nice but very windy. So the problem was to get good images with out damaging my gear from the blowing sand.

SOLUTION.

I decided to stay off the dunes and use longer glass. I could have put everything in plastic bags and climbed up into the dunes, but would still have to remove the bags to shoot. I'm not going to take a chance with my rear, this sand can be very damaging.

NOTE - This is part one of my shoot, part two will be next Monday, 4/30/2012.

OTHER SHOT FROM THE DUNES AND SAN LUIS PARK