k-hawinkler Posted July 23, 2011 Author Share #61 Posted July 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) are moving through the area and giving us some rain. That feels so good. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! D3 Tele-Elmar 135/4 M9 Elmarit-M 90/2.8 K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! D3 Tele-Elmar 135/4 M9 Elmarit-M 90/2.8 K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1743114'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Hi k-hawinkler, Take a look here Las Conchas Wildfire. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #62 Posted July 25, 2011 A view of the Valle Grande from its southwestern boundary looking northeast. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Same vantage point, looking west. Beyond that burned ridge begins the Las Conchas area where the fire began and was named accordingly. Driving down that road for 2 or 3 minutes one reaches the Las Conchas campground. It was getting dark, handheld, 1/3 s. Looking back from the first vantage point towards the east is the Main Entrance of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The entire area away from the road to the south looks burned. Off limits to the public. The setting sun illuminates a mountain in the northeast corner beyond the Valle Grande. The mountain seems marred by logging roads. A huge herd of elk has congregated in the southwest corner of the Valle Grande. Some burned grass areas are visible in the upper right. Looking north. And slightly to the northeast. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Same vantage point, looking west. Beyond that burned ridge begins the Las Conchas area where the fire began and was named accordingly. Driving down that road for 2 or 3 minutes one reaches the Las Conchas campground. It was getting dark, handheld, 1/3 s. Looking back from the first vantage point towards the east is the Main Entrance of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The entire area away from the road to the south looks burned. Off limits to the public. The setting sun illuminates a mountain in the northeast corner beyond the Valle Grande. The mountain seems marred by logging roads. A huge herd of elk has congregated in the southwest corner of the Valle Grande. Some burned grass areas are visible in the upper right. Looking north. And slightly to the northeast. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1745176'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #63 Posted July 25, 2011 A view of the Valle Grande from its southwestern boundary looking northeast. [ATTACH]269875[/ATTACH] Same vantage point, looking west. Beyond that burned ridge begins the Las Conchas area where the fire began and was named accordingly. [ATTACH]269876[/ATTACH] Driving down that road for 2 or 3 minutes one reaches the Las Conchas campground. It was getting dark, handheld, 1/3 s. [ATTACH]269877[/ATTACH] Looking back from the first vantage point towards the east is the Main Entrance of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The entire area away from the road to the south looks burned. Off limits to the public. [ATTACH]269878[/ATTACH] The setting sun illuminates a mountain in the northeast corner beyond the Valle Grande. The mountain seems marred by logging roads. [ATTACH]269879[/ATTACH] A huge herd of elk has congregated in the southwest corner of the Valle Grande. Some burned grass areas are visible in the upper right. [ATTACH]269880[/ATTACH] Looking north. [ATTACH]269881[/ATTACH] And slightly to the northeast. [ATTACH]269882[/ATTACH] K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #64 Posted July 25, 2011 Adult and young elk. [ATTACH]269892[/ATTACH] Young elk, some resting, some grazing. [ATTACH]269893[/ATTACH] The one at bottom right is getting ready to get up. [ATTACH]269894[/ATTACH] On the lookout. [ATTACH]269895[/ATTACH] Grazing. [ATTACH]269896[/ATTACH] Buddys. [ATTACH]269898[/ATTACH] Tasty? [ATTACH]269899[/ATTACH] Looks like charcoal on the fur. [ATTACH]269900[/ATTACH] Being vigilant. [ATTACH]269901[/ATTACH] There were already a few hunters around. They were particularly interested in bull elk. Hunting season begins next month - I was told. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #65 Posted July 25, 2011 Adult and young elk. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Young elk, some resting, some grazing. The one at bottom right is getting ready to get up. On the lookout. Grazing. Buddys. Tasty? Looks like charcoal on the fur. Being vigilant. There were already a few hunters around. They were particularly interested in bull elk. Hunting season begins next month - I was told. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Young elk, some resting, some grazing. The one at bottom right is getting ready to get up. On the lookout. Grazing. Buddys. Tasty? Looks like charcoal on the fur. Being vigilant. There were already a few hunters around. They were particularly interested in bull elk. Hunting season begins next month - I was told. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1745188'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #66 Posted July 25, 2011 INCIDENT UPDATED 18 HRS. AGO InciWeb the Incident Information System: Las Conchas Date Started: June 26, 2011 Cause: Human Size: 156,593 acres Percent Contained: 85% Total Personnel: 200 Resources: 4 Helicopters; 18 Engines; 2 Water Tenders; 3 Dozers Residences: 63 destroyed Outbuildings: 49 destroyed; 2 damaged Injuries to Date: 15 K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share #67 Posted July 25, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) INCIDENT UPDATED 18 HRS. AGO InciWeb the Incident Information System: Las Conchas Date Started: June 26, 2011 Cause: Human Size: 156,593 acres Percent Contained: 85% Total Personnel: 200 Resources: 4 Helicopters; 18 Engines; 2 Water Tenders; 3 Dozers Residences: 63 destroyed Outbuildings: 49 destroyed; 2 damaged Injuries to Date: 15 K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share #68 Posted July 29, 2011 The Valle Grande was formed millions of years ago when a huge volcano blew. What was left after the explosion is called a caldera. This area is also known as Baca Location No. 1. It was in private possession, until a number of years ago the US Congress provided the funds to purchase the property and it was turned into the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The dirt road in the grassy area to the right leads to the visitor center. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! When I arrived in the late afternoon there were already distant thunder showers. I just had a couple of minutes to register (required but free of charge, they keep track of how many folks visit) and take some pictures when the thunder shower, including lightning, was right above the area. This is the mountain with the many logging roads, now covered with a patchwork of burned and unburned areas. As the Preserve closes and locks its entrance gate at 6 PM, it was time to leave and drive through quite heavy rain. The strong wind blew the rain against the passenger side of the car, allowing me to take pictures on the driver's side without getting wet. This image shows a burned ridge to the south through the downpour. Another image taken through the rain with a wonderful white cloud. Ahead to the right lies the tiny bridge over the East Fork of the Jemez River. The houses at the foot of the burned ridge are private residencies that luckily were not consumed by the fire. This image of the East Fork of the Jemez River was taken from on top of the bridge. Again, burned forest and grasslands in the back of the image. Here is an image of a burned ridge down which the fire obviously encroached from the south. Finally, after having left the Preserve, an image of the Valle Grande with the white buildings of the visitor center to the right. The thunder and lightning has moved to the north east in the upper left. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! When I arrived in the late afternoon there were already distant thunder showers. I just had a couple of minutes to register (required but free of charge, they keep track of how many folks visit) and take some pictures when the thunder shower, including lightning, was right above the area. This is the mountain with the many logging roads, now covered with a patchwork of burned and unburned areas. As the Preserve closes and locks its entrance gate at 6 PM, it was time to leave and drive through quite heavy rain. The strong wind blew the rain against the passenger side of the car, allowing me to take pictures on the driver's side without getting wet. This image shows a burned ridge to the south through the downpour. Another image taken through the rain with a wonderful white cloud. Ahead to the right lies the tiny bridge over the East Fork of the Jemez River. The houses at the foot of the burned ridge are private residencies that luckily were not consumed by the fire. This image of the East Fork of the Jemez River was taken from on top of the bridge. Again, burned forest and grasslands in the back of the image. Here is an image of a burned ridge down which the fire obviously encroached from the south. Finally, after having left the Preserve, an image of the Valle Grande with the white buildings of the visitor center to the right. The thunder and lightning has moved to the north east in the upper left. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1750853'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share #69 Posted July 29, 2011 Even Smokey Bear was powerless against this fire. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Driving from the Valle Grande towards the west. A little bit further some green is left. Now some utterly devastated areas. Some fresh green grass is already appearing. Really black. I had never seen this kind of burn before. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Driving from the Valle Grande towards the west. A little bit further some green is left. Now some utterly devastated areas. Some fresh green grass is already appearing. Really black. I had never seen this kind of burn before. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1750862'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share #70 Posted July 29, 2011 This is a private property near the Las Conchas Trailhead of the East Fork of the Jemez River. The river comes from the Valle Grande flows below the road to the south, and crosses back to the north of the road right here. For these folks it must have been an awful experience to see the fire come this close to their houses. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Here a detail from the upper left of the mountain. Here a view towards the right. Just a few yards from this sign, a few steps below is the river. I wonder how much soot and ashes ended up in the water, home to trout. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Here a detail from the upper left of the mountain. Here a view towards the right. Just a few yards from this sign, a few steps below is the river. I wonder how much soot and ashes ended up in the water, home to trout. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1750890'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share #71 Posted July 29, 2011 In post #62 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/1781133-post62.html image #6 I showed a large herd of elk assembled in this very spot on July 23, 2011. Now, 3 days later, they all dispersed. Same place, different time and lighting. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Well, I saw these two buddies right across the road from the Valle Grande. The little guy to the left starred at me for quite some time. The other guy was more concerned with eating. They finally moved on, nibbling on some fresh green grass here and there between the ashes. A little blue bird made an introduction as well, but I didn't catch its name. A cursory glance shows fresh green leaves up front. However, looking closer the fire has left its mark. Here is a view of the northeast corner of the Valle Grande. The burned grassy areas are slowly turning into a sea of green. The Valle is just an enchanting place to visit. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Well, I saw these two buddies right across the road from the Valle Grande. The little guy to the left starred at me for quite some time. The other guy was more concerned with eating. They finally moved on, nibbling on some fresh green grass here and there between the ashes. A little blue bird made an introduction as well, but I didn't catch its name. A cursory glance shows fresh green leaves up front. However, looking closer the fire has left its mark. Here is a view of the northeast corner of the Valle Grande. The burned grassy areas are slowly turning into a sea of green. The Valle is just an enchanting place to visit. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1750942'>More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted August 5, 2011 Share #72 Posted August 5, 2011 Great shots, love that lens for landscapes..the tele-elmar 135 that is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share #73 Posted August 7, 2011 Great shots, love that lens for landscapes..the tele-elmar 135 that is Hello, Many thanks. Indeed, the Tele-Elmar 135/4 is definitely a very special lens. A fabulous performer but by Leica standards inexpensive. I love the TE whether used on the Leica M9, or with focus mount on a Visoflex or with an additional adapter on a Nikon D3 and D300. Here is a shot taken just a few days ago with the TE 135/4 on a Nikon D300, corresponding to a 200 mm focal lens on FF. This view is about 100 yards from my house with gorgeous lighting and finally without any smoke. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Best, K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Best, K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1758737'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share #74 Posted August 8, 2011 A view of Los Alamos from the road to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! To the northeast are areas burned by the Cerro Grande fire in 2000. Here we look up the canyon. The Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is on the southwest side (left) of the canyon. The areas in the next two pictures were burned in 2000. It took mother nature 11 years to get back to this stage. Recent rains brought up green plants amid black ashes. Further up the road one can already see the first ski slope. Burned by the recent fire On the other side of the road The fire reached the southern most slope. All images taken with M9 and 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! To the northeast are areas burned by the Cerro Grande fire in 2000. Here we look up the canyon. The Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is on the southwest side (left) of the canyon. The areas in the next two pictures were burned in 2000. It took mother nature 11 years to get back to this stage. Recent rains brought up green plants amid black ashes. Further up the road one can already see the first ski slope. Burned by the recent fire On the other side of the road The fire reached the southern most slope. All images taken with M9 and 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1759736'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share #75 Posted August 8, 2011 The Las Conchas fire reached the first slope of the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! That first ski slope comes in from the left to the lift. Further up the road is the Welcome sign. The ski slopes are cut out on the sign. The fire reached the left most slope on this sign. Now we are in the Camp May area. The Aspen trees are green as ever. Here is a view from Camp May of the ski slopes. The parking lot of the ski area. Going back to town, here is another view of Los Alamos. All images taken with M9 and 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! That first ski slope comes in from the left to the lift. Further up the road is the Welcome sign. The ski slopes are cut out on the sign. The fire reached the left most slope on this sign. Now we are in the Camp May area. The Aspen trees are green as ever. Here is a view from Camp May of the ski slopes. The parking lot of the ski area. Going back to town, here is another view of Los Alamos. All images taken with M9 and 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1759756'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share #76 Posted August 26, 2011 The Las Conchas Wildfire lasted for 5 and 1/2 weeks and burned 156,593 acres before it was 100% contained on August 3, 2011. InciWeb the Incident Information System: Las Conchas As of August 20, 2011 Aerial seeding has been completed on 5,200 acres and aerial mulching is underway on 1,100 acres. For further information, please see here InciWeb the Incident Information System: Las Conchas Burned Area Emergency Respon. Near my house, the unburned canyon areas that were off limits because of flooding danger are open to the public again. However, in Santa Clara canyon some folks needed to be rescued by helicopter because of a flash flood. It will be interesting to have a closer look at the severely burned areas in the Jemez Mountains, including wilderness areas, when those access roads will be open again. However, that should be awhile. I am afraid for the forests to grow back to a healthy mature, but less dense state, may take 150 years. Without all those mature healthy trees one can easily see how rugged these mountains really are. Sunset over the Jemez Mountains on August 6, 2011. Just clouds, no smoke. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! And the moon on August 6, 2011. Just clouds, no smoke. Nikon D300 + Telyt 200/4. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! And the moon on August 6, 2011. Just clouds, no smoke. Nikon D300 + Telyt 200/4. K-H. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/155395-las-conchas-wildfire/?do=findComment&comment=1776219'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share #77 Posted September 3, 2011 Friday's September 2, 2011 Los Alamos Monitor reports that by chance, while conducting by helicopter a flood survey following a heavy rainfall on August 23, the marijuana plants were found growing deep inside Bandelier National Monument's Frijoles Canyon in rugged terrain. The marijuana plants, 6 to 10 feet in hight, were growing in 3 separate areas of the canyon, connected with an extensive irrigation system to the running water of Frijoles Canyon creek. A multi-agency task force removed and burned the marijuana plants valued at $9M on Thursday, September 1, 2011. No arrests so far, at least 2 suspects remain at large. Apparently, the Las Conchas fire came close to the marijuana fields, as there were black lines around the fields and one of the structures of the marijuana growers/guards was burned. That's really worrisome. I am glad the authorities will keep a watchful eye on that area. K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted September 3, 2011 Share #78 Posted September 3, 2011 K H, I enjoyed this report with beautiful photographs taken with M9. Thank you for sharing. This work has taken time for you . I have a practical question: you took bellows, Viso and tripod with you everywhere ? Really you have a lot of courage Congratulations for this great work and thank you for the comments. One last thing, it's sad to see that nature is being destroyed and and I loved the pictures of crows on a tree burned and deer in the green countryside at the end of the series, but soon killed by hunters (that's cruelty in my opinion) The man is partly responsible of this disaster ! In this context, I think you should do an exhibition by selecting pictures that should be shown. Contact City Hall or organization that defends the ecology ! Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted September 3, 2011 Share #79 Posted September 3, 2011 K-H, any photos of the weed? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share #80 Posted September 3, 2011 K H,I enjoyed this report with beautiful photographs taken with M9. Thank you for sharing. This work has taken time for you . I have a practical question: you took bellows, Viso and tripod with you everywhere ? Really you have a lot of courage Congratulations for this great work and thank you for the comments. One last thing, it's sad to see that nature is being destroyed and and I loved the pictures of crows on a tree burned and deer in the green countryside at the end of the series, but soon killed by hunters (that's cruelty in my opinion) The man is partly responsible of this disaster ! In this context, I think you should do an exhibition by selecting pictures that should be shown. Contact City Hall or organization that defends the ecology ! Best Henry Hi Henry, Thanks for your comments. In New Mexico hunting is regulated at the state and tribal level. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is involved with all aspects of conservation and law enforcement. The animals I showed were actually elk not deer. Adult elk are larger than my Arabian horses. According to http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/elk.pdf the New Mexico elk population was brought back from zero in 1909 to current levels of around 70,000 animals. Similarly, according to http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/muledeer.pdf the New Mexico mule deer population with an estimated 40,000 animals in 1900 peaked at 300,000 animals in the mid-1960s and currently fluctuates around 200,000. I recently photographed these mule deer http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/182786-no-trespassing-danger-explosives-keep-out.html about half a mile from my house. I believe, New Mexico in general and Santa Fe and Los Alamos in particular are blessed with a population that cares deeply about the preservation of its environment, resources, and natural beauty. As do the numerous local native American tribes. Excessive suppression of forest fires in the past has contributed to an unnatural increase of tree stand density over the past 100 years http://library.eri.nau.edu/gsdl/collect/erilibra/index/assoc/HASH0192.dir/doc.pdf. I believe this has been generally recognized and has resulted in policy changes of how to fight forest fires. From my observations, it looks like we let now forest fires burn unless they threaten human lives or man-made structures. In the end this will lead to a more natural lower tree density in forests at higher elevations, primarily ponderosa pine. The drought we have experienced over the last decade has already reduced the tree density of piñon pine in lower elevations significantly Forest responses to increasing aridity and warmth in the southwestern United States. I can see the effects in my back yard and in the neighborhood. Now to the equipment I have been using and taking with me. Most of the places I took images from were either just a few yards from my house or next to a road and easily accessible by car. I think the furthest I walked with a carbon fiber tripod, Telyt 560/5.6, Visoflex III, and M9 were between 2 and 3 miles or around 4 km. I typically used the Leica M9 and Nikon D3 and D300. I always used Leica / Leitz manual focus lenses with appropriate adapters when necessary. I started out using the M9 and Visoflex III on long Telyts, but found the Nikon cameras more convenient when photographing rapidly moving subjects like airplanes or helicopters. Also, the D300 with a crop factor of 1.5x gave me extra reach. So, the Nikons were used from 560mm to 90mm focal length. The M9 from 560mm to 16mm. At no time was I actually close to the fire as I could only move in areas open to the general public. However, smoke was an altogether different matter and could at times be rather bothersome depending on the wind direction. Best, K-H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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