…rocky, snowy winter peaks. Symmetrical slopes dominate the frame, with rocks and small boulders among evergreens that lead up to near the very tips of these mountain tops. With light, low rolling clouds pouring over and piling on these steep slopes, jagged, snowy peaks poke out like jigsaw teeth.
Classic ‘arete’ shaped mountaintops above a conifer-surrounded lake, the three peaks in full sunlight with only a minimal cloud or two and barely two gentle breezes on the pristine, still water. Time-lapse length (at 30 fps): 5 seconds and 1 frame.
An original, recently remastered time-lapse of the sky with clouds.
Time-lapse length (30 fps):
5 seconds and 9 frames.
Left to right: El Capitan, a massive monolith that’s a kilometer in height and straight rock face. The
snowy area tucked away behind El Capitan is Cloud’s Rest. Then Half Dome, the cross-sectioned dome
monolith. Sentinel Rock is the slope which is in front of Half Dome. Bridalveil Falls is closer. Low
clouds float and transform on the forest valley floor and all the aforementioned features.
Time-lapse length (30 fps):
8 seconds and 2 frames.
The continuation of another clip.
Cirrus clouds float undisturbed over aretḗ (French for this terrain feature which has no English
counterpart) mountain peaks (center). The southern facing cliffs (right) are largely free of snow,
while others still retain a great deal of it. Cornices shed fresh snow in high wind (middle peaks). The
sky comprises a third of the frame, with the sun visible late clip.
Time-lapse length (30 fps):
7 seconds and 16 frames.
Low clouds are attempting to build on the Grand Tetons in the early daylight. The peaks are low on
glacial ice, due to late summer.
Time-lapse length (30 fps):
6 seconds and 26 frames.
Orographic effects on clouds can be varied. One tried and true method of identifying orographic
clouds: do the clouds appear around the mountaintops and nowhere else? This affirmative can safely
indicate an orographic effect: when the landscape influences the clouds directly. The sunrise
requires no clouds at all to filter through at full radiant intensity. Slowly shifting clouds with
little to no transformation over time can indicate very stable air. The mountain range brightens in
the morning sun.
Time-lapse length (30 fps):
32 seconds and 26 frames.