<< Previous Next >>

Altiplano Scene


Altiplano Scene
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-04
Categories: Mammals, Birds, Mountain
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite wild animal photos, Beautiful Landscapes, Vanderschelden's favorites III, The Wildlife, Plants and Scenery of Chile, TN Favourites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-17 9:18
Viewed: 7001
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a view of Laucas' set piece view - Lago Chungara and Parinacota volcano. It gives a good idea of life at this level - between 4,400 & 4,800m. If you look carefully you can see a herd of vicunas, whilst the black blobs in the lake are Giant Coot - the pink blobs are Chilean and Andean flamingoes.

We drove the 130km from Arica and climbed to this height (c4,600m)level in a little over 2 and a half hours.

This was taken about 3km from the border with Bolivia.

It encompasses an area of 1,379 km² of altiplano and mountains, the latter consisting mainly of enormous volcanoes. Las Vicuñas National Reserve is its neighbour to the south. Both protected areas, along with Salar de Surire Natural Monument, form Lauca Biosphere Reserve. The park borders Sajama National Park in Bolivia.

One of the main attractions of the park is the small lacustrine area formed by Chungará and Cotacotani lakes, which lies at the foothills of the Nevados de Payachata. Other majestic volcanoes forming part of the national park are the Guallatiri and the Acotango. Lauca features include archaeological sites, lava fields and volcanic calderas.

Lake Chungará is one of the highest lakes (4,517m)orld. It is near the volcanos Parinacota (20,827 feet or 6,348 meters) and Pomerape (20,413 feet or 6,222 meters). It was formed 8000 years ago, when a major collapse of the edifice of Parinacota produced an avalanche of 6km³ of debris which blocked drainage pattern, thus creating the lake.

At this time of year it can rain in the altiplano (bone dry on the coast though - some weather stations have NEVER recorded any rainfall) - the cloud built up during our visit - 2 hours before it had been virtually cloudless. Even so the light was incredibly bright and the sun very strong - because of the very thin atmosphere.
nglen, bobcat08, eqshannon, anel, jaycee, Heaven, horia, siggi, pekkavalo1, ferranjlloret, CeltickRanger, boreocypriensis, BobH, Evelynn, Dis. Ac., haraprasan, SunToucher, mohaiminawang, SelenE, livius, goldyrs, Luis52 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-01-17 9:45]

Hi James. Your picture is just how i imagaine Chile to look. The part that stands out the most being the snow covered volcano. The Vicunas trying to find a meal in the little amount of grass. The picture looks like n oil painting. well done TFs. Interesting notes too
Nick..

Hello James,

A very nice landscape with vicunas at the FG. I think the total of the country over the lake to the volcano a wonderful overview.

You have taken a razorsharp picture on a high level.

Thanks for sharing. Kind regards and tFS BOB

WOW! double that....this is something I would expect as a centerfold of some nature magazine...it is among your best...just too good for any words I could say!
Bob

Hi James,
Lightning is this picture is very impressive. You controled exposure perfectly! It seems to be a great place. TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2009-01-17 11:04]

Hello James,
What a wonderful landscape this altiplano and the volcano in the back. And most interesting to see the fauna of this area with the grazing vicunas and the flamingos. Excellent point of view and most beautiful fine colors make this Chilian region look so outstanding. A place I would like to visit.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful picture
Best regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-01-17 11:39]

Hi James,

Chile is still on my list - the scenery is so beautiful. A wonderful view of the snow covered volcano and its surroundings. It's interesting to see the grazing Vicunas. Colors, shadings and composition are superb.

Jane

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-01-17 12:12]

Hello James,
Fantastic photo in great natural colours and a wonderful DOF. Excellent sharpness, composition and POV. A beauty!
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 123 N: 2341] (7912)
  • [2009-01-17 12:23]

Hi James!

This is a beautiful scenery. It's so different from my homeland. The mountain is magnificent, the colours are suprising. I like it very much.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2009-01-17 12:24]

Hi James

This is an absolutely breathtaking landscape! One of your best ever i think!
It has everything one could actually wish for - a superb perspective, some native wild animals integrated, gorgeous colors and mood and that smashing peak in the BG.
On top of everything, all the elements fall into piece and create a glorious composition! If i had any more room in my favorites, this would go there... :(
Anyway, brilliant work!

BRAVO and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-01-17 13:03]

Hello James,
Superb landscape.Good perspective.Colours and sharp are wonderful. Good composition with fine lines.Thanks for sharing.
Best regards Siggi

Hi James,
What a view, just amazing! You have all the right elements for the perfect landscape: a volcano, snow, blue water, some deer and beutiful lighting.
TFS
Pekka

Hi James,
that's a wonderful place, I love this view to the white mountain and the water.
So fresh, so intact, I like it very much, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hello James,
Undoubtedly my image of the day. A perfect mountain or vulcano...
A what a prelude...almost imagination. Maybe it's just the height:-) It's all there and matching.
Wonderful photograph.
TFS
Annick

Hello James,
Otra excelente foto de tu série chilena, ésta expresa la presonalidad geológica del país. Un buen trabajo. Saludos cordiales. Ferran

hello James

a beautiful view on the animals, the birds in far, the plain (la plaine)
and the mountain with a very fine DOF, and excellent contrast,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Brother James,
An impressive landscape capture. All are perfect.
TFS and have a wonderful Sunday!
Cheers,

bayram

  • Great 
  • BobH Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 40 W: 8 N: 192] (650)
  • [2009-01-17 19:24]

Hi James-

Gorgeous shot of a place I've seen in pics before, but not like this. Most previous have focused on the plano rather than the alti- but you've captured both quite well. The vicuna are great. Any flamingo shots coming?

Bob

What a desolate yet dramatic landscape this is. It is interesting that it seems to support a variety of wildlife. I like the bit of sunlight on the vicunas.

TFS
Evelynn

Hello James

That is amazing.
Excellent POV and DOF.
The lighting and colours are terrific.
Well composed ,very interesting.
Great job.
TFS

Wolf

hi James,

exellent shot and pov.
Those animals in their natural habitat are nice seeing an than the vulcano, two eyecatchers in one picture.
Beutiful colours

Gert

Hi James,
A nice capture of this beautiful volcano. Superb composition and sharp details. Very good POV. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi James,
Thats a really impressive view on a massive looking vulcano. Not only the vulcano looks phantastic, the journey to it looks magnificent as well. I love the baren look of the landscape and that proof that animals do like to live in it. The snow cap looks in pretty good shape, but I can't stop wondering how it looked 10 years ago.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2009-01-18 8:34]

James, What a landscape shot. Superb. It has all kinds of color tones.Sharp picture. Brilliant composition. Ganesh

hi James,

Nice to see chile's landscape from your lens.From FG to sky BG is very detail and feel of athmosphere' it's give a sense of place.James, your explain the journey make my leg so tired but very exciting.I wish i can trevel all over the world like you.TFS.

regards
mohaimin

What an awesome shot! I love the perspective of the mountain and the huge plains in front of it. Thanks for sharing....

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2009-01-26 8:53]

Hi James,
It's a beautiful scenery. The view, DOF, POV, light, composition and exposure control are very good.
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • livius Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 300 W: 0 N: 391] (1525)
  • [2009-01-28 10:25]

Hello James
it's a very interesting landscape. Wild nature far away from the civilization. The vivid colors are very beautiful such as contrast with cloudy sky and majestic volcano.
Livio

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 0 N: 1329] (6264)
  • [2009-03-20 7:43]

Hi James!

A splendid landscape.
I am exposed to some, but not so ... prophylactic.
I hope in future to improve the situation.
I wish you a nice weekend,
Adrian

Where have you been, James?Or is it i who was amiss?
Sorry to have missed your shots...
Will try and catch up...
I love this compositon...Its a classic presentation..with all elements in perfect proportion...
Very well done!
Goldy

Hi James

This text is not for a particular picture posted by you, but your profile really impressive and you have done a really very nice work. You are lucky you have been all over the world, but I wonder why not to Thailand?

Great work.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2009-08-11 16:53]

Hola James.
Sin lugar a dudas esta es una muy hermosa postal, digna de aparecer en la portada de revista. Muy buen uso de la camara y lente, pues todo esta dentro de enfoque. La presentacion y encuadre de alto nivel.
Exelente y fino trabajo James.
Saludos
Luis52.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF