Yankee Girl Mine, a photo from Colorado, West

Photographer's Note

Travelling with John & Joanne Munro, we were still on the Million Dollar Highway, on the Red Mountain Pass, when we stopped at the ’ghost’ of Yankee Girl Mine.

The Red Mountain Mining District has many worked-out silver and gold mines on the flanks of the three peaks of Red Mountain. The Yankee Girl claim was staked in 1882 by four hunters who stumbled onto the site by accident. After staking their claim they sold it for $125,000 each. However the silver ore was of such high quality - up to $10,000 a ton - that it wasn't milled but sent directly to the smelter. In 16 years of operation, the mine produced an estimated $12 million in ore. As silver prices waned gold was discovered. The head frame of the Yankee Girl Mine is still there and the present owners have agreed to conserve it.

The colour of the Red Mountains comes from the iron oxide content of the rock and after rain the colour is particularly noticeable. It had rained all morning so I think we were there at the right time.

This is a wide view from the overlook. I changed lenses and zoomed right in; the close view is in the WS.

ISO200 FL38mm,

gildasjan, rodgerg, snunney, fulvio52, saylan-cb, jlbrthnn, ChrisJ, cbrman, Dyerco, Waylim, Kielia, Photo65Net, stego, Floydian, asajernigan, riclopes, papagolf21, alvaraalto, Sistercosmo, JCG, Royaldevon, Emile, zmey ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

gildasjan (43826) 2009-01-30 0:57

Bonjour Kath
La couleur de la roche donne tout son attrait à cette composition verticale,le ciel est bien couvert mais le petit bout de ciel bleu est bienvenu pour l'équilibre des couleurs de ce magnifique paysage.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-01-30 1:07

Hello Kath!
This one is very interesting because of the mixture of colors - specifically the green of the trees and the almost-pink terrain! The effect is truly eye-catching and I really like it! The view is also very nice in this mountaineous region of Colorado! TFS - Congratulations!
Have a great week-end!
Neyvan

rodgerg (55767) 2009-01-30 1:22

Hello Kath,

A good use of vertical format for show this coloured landcaspe. A composition well balanced with differnets plans well delimited. A nice harmony between the red and the green colours. Nice colours too under a sky well collected.
Have a good WE,
Roger

snunney (130967) 2009-01-30 1:38

Hello Kath,
An interesting mix of green and red tones. I like the framing and the use of the vertical format to direct the eye towards the pit head.

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-01-30 2:07

Hi, Kath.
Once again, you've fully caught the very essence of this unique location. I'm talking main post AND workshop : two shots, one soul. Love the framing and the way you managed the light (always tricky up in here), to produce some lovely hues on those slopes. It looks and FEELS like Red Mountain Pass... Seeing this got me started all over again, LOL! So, now I'm strongly considering to hike down for close-ups next time I'm around. That's to say : assuming that's possible without trespassing. Or possible by trespassing without getting shot, I'm flexible, y'know...
If not, a 250 or 300mm is also an option.
GREAT effort! I love Red Mountain Pass, I would gladly spend a week hiking around here, trying to uncover some of its secrets...
Have a great day, I'm off to the island of Marken, north of Amsterdam, for some shooting today. The sun came out, after two months or so... See you later,
Fulvio.

saylan-cb (12738) 2009-01-30 2:41

Hi Kath,
Superb image!Great capture and very nice colours,details,POV all excellent.
Have a nice day,
TFS/Regards

jlbrthnn (76043) 2009-01-30 3:05

Hello Kath,
It is a relief with the very female paces, since coloured pink. The trees are put forward by the contrast of the colors. I appreciate much this splendid image, his realization and his suitable vertical format.
Have a nice day and weekend
Cordially
Joël

ChrisJ (171878) 2009-01-30 3:36

Hi Kath

I like the red, earthy colour tones, & superb high pov. Good sharpness & colour saturation with splendid repetition of the green pine trees. Tfs!

cbrman (21685) 2009-01-30 3:54

Hello Kath,

Des couleurs impressionnantes dans cette roche. Je trouve que le point de vue rend bien la dimension de l'endroit surtout avec la petit cahute en bois.
Un bon cadrage verticale très approprié qui laisse la vedette à ce sommet entièrement rouge.
Bravo.

A+

Dominique

Gerrit (62042) 2009-01-30 4:45

Hi Kath,
fine composition with excellent foregound-background balance. Intersting light and red color of the stoney syurface that contrast perfectly with the dark green pinetrees.
Very good work.
Regards, gerrit

Dyerco (10185) 2009-01-30 7:22

Hi Kath
I almost missed the mine until I looked at the WS. It blends into the landscape very well. The colours are quite unique and the oranges and reds are well complimented by the greenery.
Phil

Waylim (25436) 2009-01-30 8:15

Kath,
It looks like a really difficult light for a good photo, but you managed to come up with a very decent shot, but what more important here is the story and you just got a nice shot for a show and tell. All the green pine against the red sand and rock is really a good combination as we all love in all the American high desert and parks. Thanks Kath.
Way

Atousa (7131) 2009-01-30 8:28

Salam Kath,

Very attractive shot!.. seems to be a scene of a Western movie .. the colour contrast is lovely n the framing great.. very well captured.. thank you.
Best regards, A

danyy (0) 2009-01-30 8:54

Bonjour Kath,
beaucoup de magie et de relief dans cette photo qui représente un endroit aussi magnifique que mystérieux.
Des lumières très spéciales et des couleurs inhabituelles, beaucoup de charme bien retranscrit.
Excellent week-end.
Daniel

Kielia (24077) 2009-01-30 8:56

Hi Kath,
the framing of this fascinating mine is absolutely beautiful! I really like this wonderful impression with unusual but magnificent colors and a very nice light. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

TopGeo (38220) 2009-01-30 9:15

Hi Kath!Interesting region tourist and perhaps and economically. The mines and the natural beauty give pictures that remind old cinema
Georgios

Photo65Net (43144) 2009-01-30 10:56

Hello Kath,
The rocks colors is original and it is interesting to see it.
I like too how you used the light and contrasts.
Have a nice day,
JB.

stego (24132) 2009-01-30 11:59

Hi Kath,

The English girl meets the Yankee girl and finds that the former silver mine of the latter is now a photo mine. :D

Amazing place and colours! As in the earlier post, you took very good profit of the rainy weather, one of the things that makes it so attractive is the mix of sunshine and shadows and that look of "it stopped raining just a while ago".

I like how the trees seem diagonally aligned and I find that you were very wise to include that FG, as the image would be too flat without it and probably the wooden tower wouldn't get so nicely framed.

Regards, José.

Floydian (30970) 2009-01-30 13:44

Hello Kath,

The ws shows nice detail, but i prefer this one with a much wider open view. Also i like this one much more than the previous upload. Here the framing with view between the trees looks great and draws us inside the picture leading us to the old mill. Colours are also a very nice strong detail and that grey from the sky also goes well with all this....a real good one.

Have a nice weekend,

Henk

asajernigan (21427) 2009-01-30 19:01

Kath,
This is a well composed shot using the vertical view to show the depth of this scene. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF. The contrast between the red clay and the dark green of the trees is outstanding.
TFS,
Asa

gneufeld (15890) 2009-01-30 20:15

Hi Kath,
Another fine presentation from the Million Dollar Highway. I like the vertical perspective and also enjoyed seeing your complementary close-up shot of the mine structure. Nice work again and TFS. Gerald

Graal (103040) 2009-01-30 23:57

Hi Kath,
amazing colours of mountains. Good shot and presentation. Another interesting place from Your journey. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

riclopes (35577) 2009-01-31 1:35

Olá Kath, this time I don't choose the WS over this one, although it's nice to see the impressive close approach with your tele, considering we can hardly see it here. Very beautiful view with a wonderful mix of colors. The red color of the mountain that looks like a dessert seen from here makes a great combination with the greens spread all over the view.
ricardo

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-01-31 3:15

Bonjour, chère Kath,
Chaque photographie est un bijou, on pourrait se lasser, mais non, le spectacle est toujours aussi grandiose !
La beauté de l'ensemble est stupéfiante.
Un magnifique carnet de voyage.
Amitiés.
Philippe

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-01-31 3:29

Hi Kath,

Amazing combination of the bare red soil and the green of the pine-forest.
A very interesting place with a “rich” history.

Have a nice weekend, groet Rob

baba_flies (8829) 2009-01-31 5:41

Oh so it has rained before, THESE are the moments that make photo life exciting. It probably brought out a special color to the earth but the grey sky also makes a huge difference, the hills almost seem pink in some parts. You really have the spirit of this place and I especially like the "tiny" mine, this way the whole area seems even more adventerous. This is really really good, I have been there, stood at the same place probably, so I know how good it is. It is almost like returning. Have a wonderful weekend, I HAVE to leave the pc ... and do some exercise, yes the steps, they help to be firm in some parts :))) Loved that one. Barbara.

Sistercosmo (242) 2009-01-31 14:11

Hi Kath,
another amazing shot. I like the photo a lot. Sharp and with great detail. Good work!
See you around!
Linda

syrus_persia (2270) 2009-01-31 23:09

Salam Kath
Beautiful postcard from Colorado, nice view, perfect crop and framing!wonderful colors!
Have a nice weekend!!
cyrus

gilou530 (34) 2009-02-01 10:46

hello kath
a landscape very coloured in a bosky bower to the first glance I had evil to see the mine, place splendid
friendship
gilbert

coco (30439) 2009-02-02 0:29

Hi Kath.

Very impressive and spectacular landscape with an unsual vertical format.
The light and especially the colours look great.

Regards.

JCG (35153) 2009-02-02 22:11

Hi Kath,

I notice that nature gently takes again its place on this mining territory… A vertical format which gives a good prospect until the top and much of depth to the image. The natural colors are always also beautiful, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good day,

Jean-Charles

Royaldevon (85932) 2009-02-03 1:28

Hello Kath,

Don't they have some interesting names? It almost necessitates investigation to establish their b/g!

I find the light on this really interesting. The sky looks relatively cloudy and yet there is a lovely 'soft' light over everything. It has helped to draw out the interesting pinks, and different green tones.
I like your use of natural framing.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-02-05 10:44

Ola Kath ,
Que linda paisagem pintada de verde e de tons vermelho , ficou magnifica a mina lá em baixo e pena estar muito longe deve ter detalhes muito bonitos , boa luz, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Emile (20352) 2009-02-05 14:21

Hola Kath.
Your high POV give a nice view of the Red Mountains and the old mine. Amazing how the earth can change it's colors. Good natural frame with the trees in both sides, the use of a vertical format as mentioned by others already was a good choice.
TFS.
Best wishes.

zmey (7335) 2009-02-12 13:24

I see what DON (Fulvio) meant when he said your recent photos are raising his appetite for returning to the US West. You do have some amazing shots posted lately: this is no exception. the color is striking: especially the mix of the red and the lively green.

a good one!
kristaps